Slalom UK - What? How? Where? Getting into Canoe Slalom

Imagine: you are at the start for an international slalom in the heart of the Alps. 40 tonnes of water thunder past you every second, and you are in a little boat weighing barely 9 kilos. Your mind is so focused that you can't even hear the water. You are thinking only about the 18 gates that you must not miss. Above all, that key sequence, the one that has already put paid to some competitors' hopes after months of training.

5 beeps from the electronic starter. At the 5th, you're away.

The first part of the course has been designed to tear your arms off. On the bank, your supporters are going crazy - but you can hear nothing. You haven't cleared one gate before you focus on the next.

Half the course done. So far, no touches. Your arms are getting pumped, your body is steaming despite the chill of the river. Now, the key passage. Total concentration. One slip will destroy you. Triumph or disaster is here, and you know it.

You're through. Rising confidence: you push harder still, though your arms are nearly paralysed. You must stay focused, you could blow it even in the last gate. And you are there. The final sprint. 10 metres to the finishing gate. 10 metres. Eternity.

Borrowed from the FFCK's slalom page and translated by Nick Penfold

What is canoe slalom?

Canoe slalom is one of the most spectacular watersports, demanding skill, stamina and courage. The aim is to run a rapid river course marked by "gates" fast, and without touching.

A "gate" is two poles, suspended over the water. Green and white gates are negotiated in a downstream direction, red and white gates upstream. The gates are placed so that you must make tricky cross-current moves and use the eddies and waves.

You have to pass through all the gates in number order, and in the right direction - red ones upstream, green ones downstream. If you touch a pole with anything - paddle, boat, buoyancy aid, helmet or any part of your body - a 2 second penalty is added to your time. If you miss a gate out, or go through in the wrong direction or upside down, the penalty is 50 seconds - a wipeout in serious competition! The aim is fast and clean. Each competitor takes two runs, and the best run of the two counts.

In Division 4, where you start, it won't be too hard - a rush of water from a weir, or moving water in a stream. When you get to Division 1 it will be big and tricky! More about Divisions

The gates are positioned to test your skill in using, and coping with, the water. This is perfect training for running big whitewater rivers.

There will be an upstream gate to test your ability to break out into the eddy behind a rock; then a downstream gate the far side so that you must ferry glide or surf a wave to reach it before the river pushes you past. It takes skill, as well as speed.

You must pick, and paddle, a line that turns the current to advantage. You must learn to read the water.

In Division 4, where you start, it won't be too hard - a rush of water from a weir, or moving water in a stream. When you get to Division 1 it will be big and tricky! (More about Divisions further on.)

Five classes compete: Men's and Women's Kayak, Men's and Women's Canadian Singles and Canadian Doubles.

This is a sport in which Britain excels. Richard Fox was 5 times World Champion; Lynn Simpson was Ladies World Champion; and Paul Ratcliffe has held the World Cup and took the silver medal at the Sydney Olympic Games. Campbell Walsh won the K1M silver medal and Helen Reeves the K1W bronze at Athens in 2004, and David Florence won the C1 silver medal in Beijing in 2008.

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History

Whitewater slalom, which was originally modelled on ski slalom, began in Switzerland in 1932. Slalom canoeing began on flat water, but soon switched to white water rapids. World War Two set back development, especially from an Olympic point of view, but today both sprint and slalom are established Olympic disciplines.

The sight of skill, strength and courage pitted against powerful water makes slalom an exciting spectator sport both live and on TV. For the competitor there is the challenge, together with fantastic friendships, cooperation between national teams, and a closeness to the river and the environment.

The first Slalom World Championships were held in 1949 in Geneva. Since then there have been dramatic changes as folding and rigid canvas canoes have been replaced by composites and rules have been changed and simplified.

In 1992 canoe slalom returned to the Olympic Games, in the fantastic atmosphere under the burning sun of La Seu d´Urgell in the Spanish Pyrenees. There has been a massive increase in interest outside slalom's traditional areas, and slalom is going into the new millennium as a permanent Olympic sport. Look for it in 2012!

Where can I learn slalom, or start canoeing generally?

It depends where you live. There are clubs and watersport centres all over the country, and some clubs have slalom teaching for mixed groups or for novices.

If you haven't canoed before, a starter course is a good idea. Or you can join a club. The BCU can help you find one. The Slalom Year Book lists clubs that are active in slalom - click for a list.
Lots of clubs have a slalom night when their slalom paddlers practice. You can also get lots of practice at competitions - there's always practice time there, and other people to watch.

The Canoe Slalom Technique Library has excellent video breakdowns of key slalom techniques.

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What events are there?

There are races for one-person kayaks and for one-person and two-person canoes - Men's K1, Women's K1, Men's C1, Women's C1 and C2. A K1 is a one-seater kayak - you sit in it and use a paddle with blades at both ends. A C1, or Canadian, is a boat you kneel in, and use a one-bladed paddle. A C2 is for two paddlers, kneeling and with single-blade paddles.

Paddlers of all ages compete together, but there are usually special prizes for the best in each age group.

Fiona Pennie - C1W
© Geoff Allen

Wilson and Ramsdale - C2
© Chris Worrall

Can women and girls enter slalom?

There is a women's class for one-person kayaks, and one for single Canadian canoes. Girls can also race in C2, but they compete with the men on equal terms.

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Dan Goddard - C1M
© Keith Williams - SportPixs.co.uk

Campbell Walsh - K1M
© Keith Williams - SportPixs.co.uk

Kim Walsh - K1W
© Keith Williams - SportPixs.co.uk

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What About Age Groups?

Apart from Veterans, paddlers of all ages in a division and class race against one another, but usually there are special prizes for various age groups.

● If you were 11 or less on 1st January this year you are a J12

● If you were 12 or 13 on 1st January this year you are a J14

● If you were 14 or 15 on 1st January this year you are a J16

● If you were 16 or 17 on 1st January this year you are a J18

● If you were 18 - 22 on 1st January this year you are a U23

● If you were 23 or over on 1st January this year you are a Senior

● If you will be 35 or older on 31st December this year you can claim Master status (it used to be called DV or Divisional Vet) but it's up to you. When you apply for your bib you can "Opt in" as a Master or "Opt out" and be just a Senior. For Masters there is also an end-of-year league, banded M35, M40 and so on.

● If you will be 35-39 on 31st December this year you are an M35

● If you will be 40-44 on 31st December this year you are an M40

● If you will be 45-49 on 31st December this year you are an M45

And so on. If you wish you can opt out of this even if you register as a Master.

What are team races?

In team races, teams of three boats work together for the fastest possible time. The team time is taken from the time the first boat starts to the time the third boat finishes - but there's a big penalty if the third boat doesn't finish within fifteen seconds of the first.

Team racing means working together, co-ordinating movement to stay close together. Good teams interweave on upstream gates.

Most people treat the team competition less seriously than the individual competition and have a lot of fun doing it.

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What equipment do I need?

In Premier Division and International racing there are strict rules about the length, width and minimum weight of your boat (see below) but you can use any kayak to start with. When you want a "proper" slalom kayak, buy one second-hand - you will often find them for sale at competitions. A slalom boat is light, long and low so that it can pass under the gate poles.
You need a paddle and a spraydeck, and you must wear a buoyancy aid and a helmet. Other equipment - wet shoes, shorts, a cagoule - you can get later.

Once you need a "proper" slalom boat

All types of K1

Minimum length 3.50m, Minimum width 0.60m, Minimum weight 9Kg

All types of C1

Minimum length 3.50m, Minimum width 0.65m, Minimum weight 10Kg

All types of C2

Minimum length 4.10m, Minimum width 0.75m, Minimum weight 15Kg

All boats must have a minimum radius at each end of 2 cm horizontally and 1 cm vertically.

There are no restrictions on what boats are made of, but in practice carbon fibre and resin, and sometimes kevlar, is the best way to build a boat this light strong enough for the job.

Finished race boats often weigh about 7Kg and carry a lead weight to bring them up to regulation weight. Using a weight placed at the centre of the boat keeps the ends light so that the boat turns fast, and it is allowed as long as it's permanently fixed into the boat.

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How do I enter my first race?

Just go along to any "Division 4" event, find "Control" and ask for an entry card. You will be welcome! If you like you can get your entry in before the event: if you've got one, send an entry card to the address in the Calendar - or just write. If you send two envelopes with a stamp and your address on, they will send you the start list before the competition and the results afterwards. You also need to send a cheque or postal order for the entry fee (seniors, £6.25 and £10.00 for a double event: juniors, £4.25 and £7.00 for a double. If in doubt, pay on the day.

You have to be a member BCU/SCA/Canoe Wales/CANI to race, but for a Div 4 race you can buy a one-day temporary membership. Once you win promotion to Div 3 you must join.

Competitions are held all over the country from March to October. Click here for Calendar of Races for Newcomers.

The programme is usually:

Practice
Team Competition
Individual Competition

The main things to remember are:

Put the number you have been given on your boat (use sticky tape)
You start in number order. Watch others at the start, and be there when your turn comes
Try to get through all the gates - in the right order!
When you've finished, wait for two more people to finish before you get off - it's your turn to do safety duty.

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Where do I get entry cards?

Send a stout, stamped, self-addressed envelope 9" x 4" or larger to Mrs S Paterson, 14 Clay Street, Wymeswold, Loughborough LE12 6TY33. She will send you as many entry cards as the postage will cover (16 for minimum postage rate)

What are "Divisions"?

Slalom paddlers are grouped so that they can race others of similar ability, on water that is appropriate to their skill.

There are five divisions - Premier, and Divisions 1 to 4. Newcomers usually start in Division 4. When you do well, you get promoted. You build up your skill, and work your way up to bigger water and tougher competition.

In Division 4, where you start, it won't be too hard - a rush of water from a weir, or moving water in a stream. When you get to Division 1 it will be big and tricky!

In C2 and C1W there are only three divisions: Prem/1, 2/3 and 4.

I'm already an experienced paddler. Do I still have to work my way up the divisions?

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How do I get promoted?

At Division 4 races, one paddler in five is promoted to Division 3 - that is, the top 20% of competitors in each class.

Promotion to Div 2 and beyond goes on points. At every race you get points according to your position, and you count your best results towards your ranking and promotion.

Points are a way of comparing results when there are more competitors on one race than in another. In K1M, the winner gets 1000 points and the other competitors get a "share" of 1000 on a sliding scale according to their place. In K1W and C1, the winner gets 100 points and the others a "share" of 100. In C2 and C1W, points are calculated by a factored comparison with K1M times.

		Div 3 to Div 2	Div 2 to Div 1	Div 1 to Prem
K1M	Count	4 races	4 races	5 races
	Target	3300*	3600*	4750*
K1W	Count	4 races	4 races	5 races
	Target	320*	360*	475*
C1	Count	4 races	4 races	5 races
	Target	320*	340*	465*

* or winning three races

For promotion from the combined Division 2/3 to Division Prem/1 in C2 you count 4 results and you need 2650 points.

Div 4s only – sorry!

If you get promoted from Division 4 to Division 3 and apply for a full Promotion Certificate on the new form that will be given to you by the Event Organiser, you can get a discount on the entry fee for next event you enter.

What to do if you get promoted

Don't wait for your promotion certificate - it may take some time, and you'll want to get on with racing in your new division.

Send to the Bib Officer for your new division:

Your old bib
A note requesting promotion. List your qualifying points and where you got them.
A large, strong stamped, addressed envelope with at least "large letter" postage on.
A copy of the bib application form, filled in

And PLEASE make sure you put enough postage on!

MORE INFORMATION>

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I used to paddle slalom. Must I start again in Div 4?

If:

You've been a ranked slalom paddler in the past, or
You haven't done slalom but you're already a very experienced whitewater paddler, or
You've paddled in slalom in another country

You can apply to be put straight into a higher division, but you'll need to show some evidence of your ability. One option is to go to a Division 2 race, enter as an "Open" competitor or judge and show your result as evidence. Contact John Woods - phone 01788 335469

If you've been ranked before you mustn't race in Div 4 - sort out your ranking with John Woods and return in a suitable division to suit your ability

If you're already ranked in another class - say, you're a Div 2 K1 paddler wanting to do C1 - you can go straight into a Division. Sort out your ranking with John Woods

People sometimes decide to enter a race on the spur of the moment. If you explain to the organisers they'll usually let you enter in an open event or as a judge then sort out your ranking afterwards based on the results.

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How do I get a bib?

When you get promoted into Div 3
You should be given a form to send to the Div 3 Bib Officer. If not, click here. Send off this form, with your BCU/SCA/Canoe Wales/CANI membership card, a £9 cheque made out to BCU Slalom Committee and a big, stamped envelope (see below for postage). The Bib Officer will allocate you a number and send you the bib.

The Bib Officers' names and addresses are on the form.

When you get promoted into Div 2 and higher
You get promoted when you've achieved three wins or the points target in Div 3 (see how do I get promoted). Write to your new Bib Officer and send in your old bib and another big, stamped and addressed envelope.

What do I do at the end of the year?
At the end of the year, paddlers are ranked for the next year according to their points, and they become entitled to a new bib number. Send in your bib to your Division's Bib Officer, with a stamped, addressed envelope (a small one will do). The Bib Officer will send you a voucher.

How do I get my new bib at the start of the year?
In January or February, fill in a bib application form, fill it in and send it off to the bib officer for your division (listed on the form) with:

Your BCU/SCA/Canoe Wales membership card
Your bib voucher or a £9 cheque made out to BCU Slalom Committee
A big, stamped and addressed envelope.

This year you have a choice of two bib application forms. One is a form to be filled on on-screen and then printed, to be posted with your membership card, envelope and cheque or voucher. The other is a PDF to be filled by hand. Please don't use the PDF unless you are sure we will be able to read your handwriting!

Posting Bibs

A bib can be posted as a “large letter” for 96p (first class) or 81p (2nd Class) BUT the envelope must not be bigger than 353mm X 250mm and it must (easily) go through a 25mm slot. If not it if has to go as a packet at £1.72 1st class or £1.51 2nd Class.

Bibs are tricky. You can fold one to be within this rule, but it’s easy to make it too thick. MORE>

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Is coaching available?

A lot of clubs have training nights and welcome beginners. Click for a list of clubs that are active in slalom.

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Slalom Administrator

The Slalom Administrator's address is:

, Slalom Administrator, 12 Holmscroft Road, Luton LU3 2TJ

Joining Canoe England/Scottish Canoe Association/Canoe Wales/CANI

You have to be a member BCU/SCA/Canoe Wales/CANI to race, but for a Div 4 race you can buy a one-day temporary membership. Once you win promotion to Div 3 you must join. Here is who to contact about joining

If you live in England		Canoe England 18 Market Place, Bingham, Nottingham Phone 0845 3709500
If you live in Northern Ireland		Canoe Association of Northern Ireland - c/o House of Sport, Upper Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5LA - 01247 469907
If you live in Scotland		Scottish Canoe Association - Caledonia House, South Gyle, Edinburgh EH12 9DQ - 0131 317 7314
If you live in Wales		Canoe Wales - Canolfan Tryweryn, Frongoch, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7NU - 01678 521199
		British Canoe Union 18 Market Place, Bingham, Nottingham Phone 0845 3709500

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