England Slalom Talent Programme Squad

The England Slalom Talent Programme have published their Qualification Criteria for 2024/25. A link can be found HERE>

Lois Leaver at HPP - picture © Malcolm Cook www.endlessskies.co.uk

Alfie Boote at GB Selection
Picture © Richard Nutter http://www.rn-photo.com

Training Opportunities at Lee Valley

There are regular training opportunities at Lee Valley Whitewater Centre on water pumped for our Southern-based squads during weekday evenings and over various weekends. Access costs £15 per session on the Olympic Course and £10 per session on the Legacy Course.

Sessions are un-coached and open only to paddlers ranked in Prem or Div 1. If your club wants to use these opportunities then please email Capacity in each slot is limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.

Daniel Thompson

Slalom sessions are now on the LV website to book. Email to ask them to add the slalom waiver to your account and the sessions will then show on the booking app under Olympic Slalom.

Paddler access to programme water at Lee Valley>

2025 Slalom & kayak Cross & Sprint and Paracanoe selection policies

The policies are published by the respective International panels and are the result of significant work behind the scenes, in particular the IP's would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development of the policies through the public consultation process in the autumn of 2024.

Slalom & Kayak Cross Junior, U23 & Senior combined document

The International Panel has also published an accompanying statement which highlights the slalom registration process, announces the final slalom Div 1 Junior selection qualifiers and shares the key themes from the consultation process.

Please take the time to read the policies and familiarise yourself with the processes to be used for the 2025 season.

I have shared this widely with bcc recipients to distribute across your networks as required.

Happy Christmas to everyone and many thanks to everyone who makes our sport so great.

Introducing the Slalom Start Box

As announced in October, Paddle UK is excited to introduce the Slalom Start Box, a comprehensive toolkit designed to support paddler recruitment within clubs to increase the number of children and young people engaged in canoe slalom across the UK.

Slalom Start builds on the incredible work that all clubs and volunteers do to introduce children and young people to the amazing sport of canoe slalom. It is intended to help share this knowledge and empower others to engage more people in canoe slalom.

Supporting the recruitment of new participants and volunteers into the sport is a key component of the Slalom Development Plan.

The digital toolkit is now available and supporting webinars are taking place during the winter, sign up to the first webinar.

Applications are open for clubs across the UK to apply for coach qualification costs, free T-shirts for delivering coaches along with flutter flags and banners.

To apply for the support please complete the application form before the 3rd February 2025.

If you have any queries please contact

 

Slalom Coach, Alberta, Canada

Alberta Whitewater Slalom is searching for a new Provincial Head Coach, to be based in Alberta, Canada.

A full description of the role and the application process can be found at albertawhitewaterslalom.com. Additional questions can be sent to .

Bib Returns - Time to return your bib

Now that the season has finished, it is time to return your bib please. It would really help our volunteer Bib Officers if you can do this as soon as possible please.

When posting bibs, they can be posted as a “large letter” for £2.70 (first class) or £2.40 (2nd Class) BUT the envelope must not be bigger than 353mm x 250mm and it must (easily) go through a 25mm slot. If you are unsure please go to a post office to ensure it has sufficient postage on it.

You can see who to send your bib to on this link

WATER QUALITY - Recommendations for the paddling community

With the recent high water levels and the risk of more and more rain, we would like to remind all paddlers, volunteers and anyone spending time by the rivers to consider the water quality and the risk of infection caused by microorganisms in the natural environment.

Please remember the following precautions:

cover any cuts and grazes with waterproof plasters
avoid swallowing river water
clean any wounds as soon as possible

wash your hands with soap and water after any contact with water, and shower as soon as possible if you've been in potentially infected water.

If you become sick, contact your GP and let them know you are a paddler, with details of when or where you paddled.

Further guidance and information

Slalom Coach Development Programme

Jonathan Males will be running a 6 month programme to take a cohort of aspiring coaches through core coach, slalom discipline specific, and assessment. Cost is £450.

Dates:
Core Coach
16-17 November, Lee Valley

Slalom Coach Discipline Specific
13 – 15 December, Lee Valley and Shepperton

Plus, from October to April:
Complete online modules and self-study.
Shadow experienced coaches at Lee Valley or other clubs.
Lead club sessions under supervision of experienced coaches.
Support coaches at Slalom Schools, Lee Valley
18/19th January 2025
15/16th February 2025

Slalom Coach Assessment:
Half day, April 2025, Lee Valley or Shepperton
For more information contact

England Slalom Club Support Scheme The England Slalom Club Support Scheme fund is open for new applications from eligible England slalom clubs. The scheme is joint funded and supported by the England Talent Programme and the England Canoe Slalom Committee with money invested by the England Canoe Slalom Committee from the levies paid by Canoe Slalom events hosted in England. Click here to read more about this scheme, the impact to date, and how to apply. Daniel Thompson

Canoe and Kayak Combined Prize

The England Slalom Talent Programme and Peak PS are establishing a new award to encourage young paddlers who improve their combined ranking in canoe and kayak disciplines. Prizes will be on offer to the male and female paddlers aged under 16 who accumulate the greatest combined points total in kayak and canoe. This combined ranking table will enable  paddlers to track their progress.

More detail and rules can be found HERE>

Slalom Progress Awards

Last year Canoe Wales and the England Slalom Talent Programme, in conjunction with the England Slalom Committee, presented the new Slalom Progress Awards. We have updated the Awards for this year. MORE>

Please Volunteer - Your sport needs you!

We are in desperate need of volunteers. Please contact Sally Atkinson or Matt Crowhurst if you are interested in helping out at Canoe Slalom Div 1 and/or Prem events. It doesn't have to be for the whole day - even an hour can be really helpful. MORE>

New C2 pairings

Apply direct to the C2 Bib Officer - you do not need to go through reinstatement. Ranked C2 pairs may enter races at any level.