Category: News

Deva Divas 2026

Jean Ashley

Its been another special Deva Divas ‘the only Ladies Quadrathlon in the World’, the 9th year in the making! Perfect weather conditions, warm slightly cloudy and just a slight breeze, but whatever the weather there is always going to be sunshine in everyone’s hearts and as always plenty of very happy ladies!

Team Work

I’m very proud to be part of Chester Triathlon Club, Chester Canoeing Club and the ‘Special Team’ who gave up so much time to make this event ‘just one of the best!’ Big Thanks to John Hatton and Carol Hatton who played a huge part in coaching the Deva kayakers, and helped out all weekend to! Along with BQA members Dave Ashley, Lance and Hermione Ball, David Jones, plus some extra help from Manvers! As always there are a long list of volunteers, and a Key Team who give so much time to make the Deva Divas Event so special, huge well done to Race Director Nicola Perrins, she left no stone unturned and everything went brilliantly!

There was some great competitive racing in the top half of the field, most have their own goals, agendas and ambitions, many race for charities but one thing is fore sure …. there are smiles all the way and every single one of those Devas are Winners! But Congratulations also must go to our Winner Rose Durrant (BQA), with Adele Samuel (Chester C.C) in 2nd Place, and Stefania Rosalba (Wey K.C) in 3rd place.

1st Rose Durrant 1.46.54
2nd Adele Samuel 1.55.08
3rd Stefania Rosalba 1.59.29
 
Deva Divas Kayak Course
But this race is a special day for all the Deva Quadrathletes they are all winners, embracing 4 disciplines! Teamwork certainly makes the Dream work and we had plenty of Team Spirit, we had my ‘Deva Divas Kayak Course’, from Chester Canoe Club, as always it’s been a pleasure having such a great bunch of Divas at the club … your smiles enthusiasm and camaraderie for each other is so inspiring 🫶🏼 they all had great results this year!
 
 

 

 

Team Manvers

‘Team Manvers’ were out in full force with a big strong Team, thanks for there lovely comments too.

Thank you for all the hard work in planning and organising this great event. We really appreciate how well it’s run and how many volunteers are needed to make it a success. A great day and achievement for everyone!

What an amazing day! I know it wouldn’t be possible without the amazing army of volunteers so thanks to each and every one of you. This is such a fantastic event that celebrates athletes of all abilities. Everyone shone today. A heartfelt thankyou. 

 

Wey Kayak Club

We also had a huge entry from ‘Wey Kayak Club’ they sent us a lovely message – ‘Thank you from the Wey Kayak Club ladies for a great race – we were all first timers, and some were pretty new swimmers, kayakers, cyclists or runners, too! We all loved the experience, especially training together, and are now left wondering what challenge comes next…! We have also raised more than £5,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

 

 

 

Video Highlights https://www.facebook.com/reel/1679024923211928

I just wanted to say how proud I was putting medals around your necks on that finish line today …. you all did amazing, wear those T shirts with pride and cherish that medal you deserve it!
Its been another epic event and we’ve certainly put a smile on so many faces today, keep smiling and keep shining and Be Very Proud of what you have achieved 💜

I’m Still looking for words after reading so many wonderful messages from my Deva Diva Quadrathletes, as always there have been so many inspiring journeys that the ladies have taken to get to that start line. A huge well done to every one of you, It was so emotional watching you all. Finish lines are incredible places to be on, for many it’s only the start, their comfort zones are truly left behind and new seeds of courage and determination arrive! 💜 Keep pushing those boundaries girls and see you Next Year!
Jean XX

Manvers Swim Run Kayak

Jean Ashley
Jonathan O’Grady
Special thanks to Mark Benton, David Jones and the Manvers Team for organizing the Swim, Run Kayak Event, sadly the bike leg was taken out this year, due to means out of our control. But thanks to the wonderful ‘Team’ of people and their enthusiasm they all embraced the new challenge! As always the BQA are extremely grateful to everyone involved, we are a small sport, and its good to see so many competitors without a doubt it’s such a fabulous feel good event, enjoyed by everyone, from seasoned athletes to first timers and looking at the photos looks like you had a great day!
 
Team Captain ‘Dave Jones’
RESULTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is a BQA National Trophy Race updated points are here BQA Trophy 2026 R7 after Manvers 2
Congratulations to the Winners and well done to all the competitors.
MALE
1st Erik Meilak 
2nd Jonathan O’Grady
3rd Pete Chappill
LADIES
1st Rose Durrant
2nd Janet Green
3rd Geraldine Richards  
 
Big Thanks to Pete Chappill for his Race Report
Pete Chappill
We arrived at the Manvers lake  site which is a jewel for swim, kayak, and running, it was great to see a lot of new faces. The new format of swim, run, kayak was approached with trepidation, but guaranteed a PB …. I kept returning to the car to get the bike!
 
The weather was warm and not to windy providing a little ripple on the water.
The Swim was wetsuit optional with the usual mass start with the aquathon athletes giving us the ‘washing machine experience’ but we soon stretched out. The water based marshals were well positioned and encouraging and
after 2 laps it was complete, out to transition. I chose wetsuit which was sticky to get off and took a while but eventually out and onto the run.
 
There was welcome shade from the trees for most of the run and the scenery made it as enjoyable as running can be! Due to the new format I had to remember to run straight to the kayak for transition and out onto the course which wraps around the top island taking in the scenery. There were many ducks out supporting, or were they laughing at us, either way it gave a focus to avoid them all, we completed 4 laps and then into the finish!
 
The relaxed, welcoming, supportive attitudes displayed by all resulted in a very enjoyable event oh the weather also helped. It seemed strange not completing a bike section and could benefit from a 2km run after the kayak as finishing on the water didn’t quite feel the same, but it was most enjoyable all the same!
Just get out and have a go!
Pete Chappill.
 
For those interested in the WQF Trophy these are the standings after 5 Races

Brigg Bomber National Trophy & WQF Race

Jean Ashley
Winner Ferenc Csima
Big Thanks to Lincsquad and their Team for hosting the Brigg Bomber, our first National Trophy Race of the season and the WQF European Championships. Congratulations to all that competed in the Standard Distance Race, and especially to the winners! 
MALE – 1st Ferenc Csima 2.28.23 – 2nd Leos Rousavy 2.36.13 – 3rd Erik Meilak 2,46.01
FEMALE – 1st Rose Durrant 3.01.14 – 2nd Hermione Ball 3.28.46
Winner Rose Durrant
Also well done to all that competed in the shorter distance, and especially to the ‘Manvers Squad’ who were out in full force … big thanks to their captain ‘Dave Jones’ who certainly keeps them extremely motivated! 
 
MALE – 1st Peter Connolly 1.37.38 – 2nd Jason Frary 1.40.15 – 3rd Graeme Tiffany 2.08.15
FEMALE – 1st Lorna Quinn 2.14.54 – 2nd Donna Frayer 2.22.42 – 3rd Geraldine Richards 2.23.19
See Full Results Results
And also link to the Bomber photos.google.com
The BQA Trophy points HERE BQA trophy 2026 RACE 1
At Brigg and Bude Full points will be awarded to the STANDARD Race and slightly reduced points to the SPRINT Race.
 
The WQF points have been produced, big thanks to John Kavanagh for continuing to do these after each WQF Race, Individual placings and National Trophy Team placings 
 
Sorry I dont have more details about the race, I was hoping to get a race report of any of the competitors, no mater how short it would be good to spread the word and share your experience …….Thanks.
 
Next National Trophy Race is at Manvers Dearne Valley ‘Swim Run Kayak’ 21st June –
Entries still open Event Details
 

The New Season awaits …!

Jean Ashley

Its offically Spring …. so lets hope the sun shines a little more, and the warm air starts to warm our lakes and rivers back up! If you haven’t started to think about this years racing here is a little reminder to get you motivated!  Our Race organizers are waiting for YOUR entries! The National Trophy Calendar and the World Cup Series are for 2026, at the moment we will have 4 Trophy races here in the UK, including a National Championships and we have 1 WQF World Cup Race  which will be European Middle Distance Championships! 

‘The Brigg Bomber’ will be hosting the European Middle Distance Championships, and will also be a World Cup Series Race. The Brigg Sprint will be our National Championships.

So get these dates in your diary’s and entries in, then have a reason kick start your training right now, having a goal does wonders for your motivation!

BQA National Trophy Events for 2026

RACE 1 – 7th June – Brigg Bomber Quad – EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 1500km river swim/40km road bike/8km river kayak/10km road run. A superb race to start the season, extremely well organized by our Top Quadrathlon Club ‘Lincsquad’ a fast flat and safe course, its the European Championships so certainly not to be missed, Lincsquad will certainly pull out all the stops to make this a brilliant day! Entries OPEN Brigg-Bomber

The Keyo Brigg Bomber Sprint is running along side the Bomber and consists of a 750m river swim, 18k bike, 4k kayak & 5k run. This Sprint distance is not a European WQF Race, but will carry qualifying points for BQA trophy series (slightly less points than the Bomber) Entries OPEN Brigg-Bomber-Sprint

RACE 2 – 21st June – Dearne Valley Sprint Quad QuadKidz – 800km lake swim/4.4km lake kayak/5km trail run.

As most of you will know there was a bike incident last year on the cycle leg of the bike course. This has been looked into in great detail, and their have been big discussions to try and find a solution with the ‘Trans Pennine Bike Trail committee,  and the Manvers Team have also looked carefully at a road course, but the logistics are impossible within the area of Manvers Lake. The Team are really sorry about loosing the bike leg and they have not taken this decision lightly, they have looked at many other options to accommodate the bike leg, but sadly there are no other options.

In the past this event has been a great motivator for many people and youngsters alike who use the Centre, it has always been the aim to deliver an event where people from all walks of life can participate, athletes enjoy their training towards it and feel a great sense of achievement afterwards. So Instead of cancelling the event completely it is now going to run in a new format – Swim 800m, Run 5K and Kayak 4k.

The BQA would like to thank Mark and his Team for continuing put this event on for everyone. We hope you all understand, it will still be part of the BQA Trophy Series but it will not be a WQA Cup Race.

The Link to the Event Page Manvers-swim-run-kayak

RACE 3 – 6th September – Brigg Sprint NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – 750km river swim/18km road bike/4km river kayak/5km road run. This is a great sprint event organized by the dedicated Lincsquad Team. The course is flat, fast and ideal for both experienced quadrathletes and those wanting to race the shorter distance. Its our National Championships, so great racing is guaranteed! Entries OPEN Keyo-Brigg-Sprint

RACE 4 – 3rd October – Awesome Foursome Quad – 800km sea swim/30km road bike/10km canal kayak/10km mixed terrain run. This is one of our longest running established Quadrathlons, in beautiful Cornwall in the surfing town of Bude. It never ceases to amaze me, I have raced it in all weathers …. it is always a brilliant exciting and challenging race and a great end the race season! Swimming in the sea, there’s plenty of hills on the bike, a historic canal for the kayak and amazing coastal views on the run! It’s one of those addictive races that keeps drawing you back. The race is on a Saturday so plenty of time for sun, sand and surf too! 

Running Alongside ‘The Sprint’
“A little smaller but just as Awesome” This shorter-course quadrathlon will be run at the same time as the full Awesome Foursome but will be roughly half the distance. It will start with the main event and be based at the Canal Wharf but will follow similar routes for the swim, cycle, and run as the Shoreline Triathlon. The swim will be one lap of the Bay, the cycle ride will only go as far as the Widemouth Manor before returning to Bude on the A39, (eliminating the severe cycling hills around Millook). The Kayaking will be one lap of the canal and the Run will only go as far as Rodds Bridge before returning to Bude via Lynstone Road. Entries OPEN Awesome Foursome Quadrathlon

All links to these races are on our ‘events’ page. I hope I have tempted you …. keep you eye on the events page as some race organizers offer Early Bird race discounts!

You must be a BQA member to race for the ‘GB TEAM’ at the World Championships or in a World Cup race, and also to qualify for all BQA prizes in the National Trophy Series. We do need your memberships to help fund our sport. Money goes towards various areas within the organization, one being our website, where we keep you updated with the latest news and events. Our biggest annual outlay is insurance, which we use to cover the races on the British Quad Calendar, without this insurance many of our races wouldn’t take place. We also affiliate to the World Quadrathlon Association ‘WQF’ so our athletes can race at World Cup Races the World and European Championships. The future of British Quadrathlon is in our hands, so please support the BQA and you will be helping to keep our small sport alive!

Membership

BQA 2026 Trophy Series

7th June – Brigg Bomber EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS plus Brigg Bomber Sprint Race
21st June – Dearne Valley Sprint & QuadKidz
6th Sept – Keyo Brigg Sprint NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
3rd Oct – Bude Awesome Foursome Quad plus Mini Awesome Foursome Sprint 

Races supported by BQA (not Trophy Races)
? May – Montgomery Canal Triathlon (Charity Event)
21st June – Norfolk SuperHeroes Quad Norfolksuperheros
5th July – Deva Divas Quad Deva Divas Quad

Congratulations to the Deva Divas!

Jean Ashley
Jean is feeling SO PROUD of all involved in this AMAZING EVENT!

I just wanted to send out a HUGE THANK-YOU to everyone past and present who have made the Deva Divas the Awesome event that it is! Nicola Perrins our Event Director has just been given this FANTASTIC NEWS!  Our very own ‘Deva Divas 2025’ won best large club event of the year in the North West Region, which means it’ll go forward to the nationwide finals!!! So Proud for our Event and all you Quadrathletes that make it extra SPECIAL!
https://www.britishtriathlon.org/north-west/news/congratulations-to-our-north-west-triathlon-england-award-winners%21_20906

Update on Manvers Quad 2026

Jean Ashley

Update on the ‘Manvers Quad Event’ on 21st June 2026 .

As most of you will know there was a bike incident last year on the cycle leg of the bike course. This has been looked into in great detail, and their have been big discussions to try and find a solution with the ‘Trans Pennine Bike Trail committee,  and the Manvers Team have also looked carefully at a road course, but the logistics are impossible within the area of Manvers Lake.

Mark Benton, David Jones and his Team are really sorry about loosing the bike leg and they have not taken this decision lightly, they have looked at many other options to accommodate the bike leg, but sadly there are no other options.

In the past this event has been a great motivator for many people and youngsters alike who use the Centre, it has always been the aim to deliver an event where people from all walks of life can participate, athletes enjoy their training towards it and feel a great sense of achievement afterwards. So Instead of cancelling the event completely it is now going to run in a new format – Swim 800m, Run 5K and Kayak 4k.

The BQA would like to thank Mark and his Team for continuing put this event on for everyone. We hope you all understand, it will still be part of the BQA Trophy Series but it will not be a WQA Cup Race.

The Link to the Event Page Manvers-swim-run-kayak

BQA Annual Report 2025

Jean Ashley

To Our 2025 BQA Members and Race Organizers

It’s been a much better year on the whole for Quadrathlon Racing as we were back up to 4 Races with 2 of our race organizers adding a Sprint Race to their Middle Distance Event, thanks to Lincsquad, and Simon Hamond,Bude for this fabulous addition! The Brigg Bomber hosted the European Championships, and Dearne Valley Sprint was a World Cup Race, this is fabulous for GB to have these races on the World Circuit, even though we are a small minority sport, it certainly helps raise the profile and gives GB Athletes to get a World Ranking too. The numbers racing across the board were up on last year, big thanks to ‘Team Manvers’ and ‘Lincsquad’ who are continually doing a sterling job introducing new athletes to our sport.

On behalf of the BQA I’d like to say a Huge THANK YOU to all our Race organizers and volunteers, they work so hard each year to put on these events for us, it is a big commitment and we really do appreciate your time! Thanks also to all the Sponsors who support them, and to you the BQA Members please keep spreading the word and as always thank you for your valuable membership and ongoing support, it’s so much appreciated by your Governing Body. Your annual fees are vital so we can run the BQA Governing Body and more important provide the ever important Insurance fees to be able to support the Race Organizers…. Big Thanks!

I would also like to say an enormous thanks to John Kavanagh who produces the BQA and WQF Tables after each race, this is a huge commitment and we are all very grateful for his dedication in getting these tables done for us …. Thanks John A Big Thanks also to Donna Chappill for stepping in as our new BQA, she is certainly a great ambassador for our sport!

Thanks also to every single one of you involved, without you our sport would simply not exist, our race organizers, our marshals, coaches, and also to every single one of you that made it to the start line this year, be proud of what you have achieved and we look forward to seeing you again next season! Jean Ashley

Motivation to train is often fueled by race adrenalin, so next season let’s keep supporting our event organizers, and continue to fuel our passion for our wonderful sport! #smallsportbigheart 

The Full 2025 Report and Dates for 2026 Events BQA- ANNUAL REPORT & AGM 2025

Bude’s Awesome Foursome

Jean Ashley

Big Thanks to Simon Hammond and his Team for organizing the last race in the BQA Trophy Series for 2025. Thankfully they were blessed with good weather, the main race was well supported especially with some fantastic Team combinations in pairs and relays of 4. Running along side was a sprint version which also went well with 9 individual competitors and a team from the local Bude Library!

Phillippe Jumeau

Congratulations go to Nigel Unwin winning the individual full race in 3.05.48, with Matt Rayment in 2nd place 3.13.48, and Nicholas Farnell in 3rd 3.16.48. Phillippe Jumeau took 4th place in 3.33.38, which secured him enough points to take the Overall British Trophy Championships, well deserved he has been flying the BQA Flag for many years, and has had a great consistent race season this year!

Kate Robson won the ladies event in 3.24.01 with the BQA’s young star Hermione Ball in 2nd place 3.43.30 with Pennie Channing in 3rd 4.04.52.

In the sprint race James Block took the win 1.26.07 with Russel Breyer in 2nd 1.39.52, the first lady home came 3rd overall in 1.42.45. Well done to all competitors, individuals, teams and pairs, its a fantastic achievement to get over that finish line in this iconic Quadrathlon, its now our longest running Quad in GB and a true testament to the commitment from Simon Hamond and all at Shoreline Events!

Full Results Awesome-Foursome-Quad-results-2025 

Russell finishing!

Report from – Russell Breyer one of our ‘long time supporters of Quadrathlon …. Thank You!

The Sprint is a brand new addition to the Bude calendar and a welcome one in my book. If, like me, your knackered 63 year old calves will no longer power you up Milook, or even round a 10k, then the Sprint is just the thing. Somehow Simon has managed to create all the fun and excitement in a half pint pot. Same swim and kayak routes (just one lap of each), shorter bike route that still tests you on the hills out to Widemouth Bay before hooking you back on the A39, and shorter run route that let’s you find your stride along the towpath before routing you back in to town via a very cheeky hill. Then the same glory run down to the canal lock and round to the finish by the little green.

His Kayak Leg

I liked that the transition zone and kayak entry are now on the other side of the canal, and that the one lap kayak route still works in three turns. I also liked coming second, but that may be a one-off as more accomplished athletes are drawn to this race, as I hope they are.

It was also great to see people attempting the sport that probably are unlikely to ever have entered the extreme  Standard…the Sprint is a real plus and my dream would be that Simon continues to run both the Sprint and Standard versions but that I guess will be based on the demand ….. and I was proud to have Won a great bespoke trophy, as ever!

Happy Quadding…. Russell

Final Trophy Standings 2025

Jean Ashley

Big Thanks to John Kavanagh for working out the Trophy Standings for us again in 2025, the Results are finally in! Remember its 3 races to count and you MUST be a BQA Member to be legible for a prize, if you win the Overall Prize we role down in your Age Group.

Huge Congratulations to Phillippe Jumeau,  and Helen Russell for taking to overall BQA Trophy Prizes! I’m really pleased for Phillippe, he has been involved in our sport for as long as I can remember … that’s at least 26 years, such a well deserved achievement Phil! Also congratulations to Helen who has now won the overall trophy several times! Your Trophies will be engraved and sent out to you along with a £30 BQA Clothing Voucher ASAP.

Well done also to our AGE GROUP WINNERS, they will all be receiving a £20 Clothing Voucher  ASAP

Men

Vet 50 Wayne Smith

Vet 60 (Role down) Graeme Tiffany

Vet 70 John Macadam

FEMALE

Under 23 Hermione Ball

Over 40 Tora Oetgen

Vet 50 (Role down) Caroline Jones

Vet 60 Janet Green

Final Results BQA Trophy 2025 final tables

BQA Trophy Points, with just Bude to Race!

Jean Ashley

The final race in our BQA National Trophy series  is taking place in Bude on 11th October ‘The Awesome Foursome’. On the Ladies side it looks like Helen Russell can not be beaten to take the overall Trophy, but there could be some ladies age group deciders depending on who races!

On the Men’s side it is very close, 3 have tied at the top of the table on 287,  and 1 person is just 7 points behind. There are also a few with good scores from 2 races, so the Bude results will be crucial, depending who races at this iconic end of season Quadrathlon!

Here is the link if you need to put your entry in!    Awesome-foursome-quadrathlon

TROPHY POINTS after 4 Races BQA Trophy 2025 4 of 6

Just to remind you: Trophies are awarded each year, provided each winner has done 3 races in the series, and MUST be a current BQA Member. (In the event of a tie the 4th race points will count to decide the winner). The overall BQA Trophy winners will receive only one prize, so a roll down will take place for their age group prize. PRIZES: Overall Winners Perpetual Trophy for Male and Female. BQA Kit vouchers for winners Male and Female in each age category, Juniors (u23), Seniors, V40+ V50+ V60+ Vet 70+ 

Big Thanks to ‘John Kavanagh’ for putting together the National Trophy and WQF Results, he compiles a list of all the quadrathletes, converts it to a spreadsheet and then updates the series after every race throughout the season. Its certainly a commitment during our the race season, and we are truly grateful for his work! THANKS JOHN on behalf of the BQA and all the competitors!