British Champs Oct 25 - Ben Haylett K1M - Copyright Richard Nutter
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2026 Calendar & Bibs

The 2026 calendar will be released on the 4th Jan 2026, bibs will be availble from 18th Jan 2026.

Please bear with us whilst the calendar is finalised, the slalom comittee have just agreed the final changes to the calendar.

Our volunteers are busy putting together all the calendar details and organising bibs for the new season.

2026 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 2025.

The International Panel has also published an accompanying statement which 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 2026 season.

Andy Maddock
Head of Performance – Operations

Advanced Coaching Programme

Huw Swetnam and Jonathan Males are offering a new programme for experienced slalom coaches. It comprises a two-day practical workshop in Nottingham (31 Jan – 1 Feb, or 7 – 8 Feb) followed by 4 evening webinars.  This can dovetail with the Performance Coach Award for those wanting a formal qualification.  Will cover technical coaching, mental preparation, race-day, working with anxious athletes and more. Both courses are now full, but you can add your name to the wait list.  You will be offered a place should anyone drop out and be first on the list for a new workshop later in the year.  Cost is £450 and your club can apply for funding  by contacting Daniel Thompson. For more information email Jonathan

Ed Ecclestone Award Winner

We were pleased to announce Jim Mc Pherson as the winner of this years Ed Ecclestone Award at Saturday’s Slalom ACM. Congratulations, a worthy winner!

Highlights from Jim’s nomination:
Jim became involved in paddling and slalom at Aberdeen university in the 1970s and continued competing for many many years after as he became involved in running Selkirk Canoe club, running Fairnilee Slalom events, and running Grandtully Slalom events. He is a judge, Section judge and International judge, and also ran Gate Judging exams to improve the knowledge and standard of judging in Scotland. He was an active member of the Scottish Slalom committee for many years, and he also wrote the software timing program which Scottish Slalom use instead of Tutti. He has continued to be involved in Canoe Slalom to this day.

We would also like to recognise the contributions to the sport of the other nominees: Paul Evans, Peter Curry, Stewart Pitt, Patrick O’Hara and Rick Moore.

And ‘thank you’ to all those that volunteer in our sport

National Trophy Co-ordinator – Volunteer(s) required

Fiona Pennie has stepped down as coordinator for the national trophies that are awarded at the end of season and championship events and we are looking to break this down into a few smaller roles.

We have one volunteer taking on looking after the Junior 16 & Vets Championship trophies. Therefore, we are seeking for volunteer(s) to take on the role for the British Open Trophies and for the UK Championship Trophies.

The role involves issuing trophies to the winners each year, ensuring winners are aware of their responsibility for their trophy, keep a record of winners, and arranging to collect them back in so they can be awarded for the following year. It may also involve arranging occasional maintenance of trophies or boxes. Fi has established a good system for managing these trophies and will provide a detailed handover and is happy to support volunteer(s) during their first year in the role.

We do really need someone willing to take this on so we can look after our trophies, so please consdier whether you are able to help.

Please contact the Slalom Secretary or Fiona Pennie for further information or to volunteer.

Slalom Evolution Proposals – Update

These proposals were adopted at the Slalom ACM on 29th November.  The new structure will come into effect for the 2027 season.

About the Proposals:
As you know proposals for the proposals for the future structure of canoe slalom racing in the UK were presented in April. Based on feedback received at the event and the subsequent consultation surveys, work has been ongoing to revise the proposal. The key principles of the revised proposals are:

  • Retain Divisions for Ranking, Results, Prizes and Promotion (this is the key change from the original proposal).
  • Allow paddlers to have full choice of where they race; simplify the calendar; and describe courses and venues using the proposed Tier System.
  • Provide compatible performance points across all Tiers as originally proposed.

Proposal details can be found here

We’d like to say a big thank you to the team of volunteers that have spent a lot of time pulling these documents and data illustrations together.

Return your bibs

With the racing season now finished it is time to return your bib.

Please post you bib back to your bib officer as soon as to help make things as easy as possible for our volunteers.

Paddle UK Volunteer Feedback Project

Volunteers play such an important part in the paddling community – everything you do helps paddling thrive. This project is our commitment to understanding your experience and building a stronger future for volunteering together.

What is the project aiming to do? You might spend your time on the water, on land, or online; at a local, national, or international level.  You might give an hour or hundreds; work on your own or lead a team. However and wherever you help, we want your feedback!  Fill out the online survey

New Paddler Representative

We’d like to welcome Steve Dixon as the new Paddler Representative on the Slalom Committee.

Steve is well know to many in the slalom community and can be contacted by paddlers on slalom.paddlerrep@vol.paddleuk.org.uk.
He’ll also be on the bank at the following events over the winter and into spring for paddlers/parents to meet and chat with him:
  • Slalom School (Stone) – 24 Jan
  • Stone Mini 1 – 25 Jan
  • Stone Mini 2 – 08 Feb
  • Stone Mini 3 – 22 Feb
  • Lee Valley Div 1 – 1 March

The committee like to thank Zac Allin for his time and input while in this role.

How to Change Your Club on the Ranking List

Any paddler that wants to amend their Club on the ranking list needs to email the relevant Bib Officer with the details of the change needed, this needs to come from the paddler or their parent. You can also list a second club or sponsor on the ranking list – again please contact the relevant Bib Officer.

Water Quality Awareness

Cover cuts and abrasions, including blisters, with waterproof dressings Avoid swallowing river water and keep your water bottle clean and dry Check the weather. Poor water quality is more likely after heavy rain Check, clean, dry equipment to remove contamination and invasives species Always wash your hands before eating or drinking If you become sick, contact your GP with details of when and where you paddled Report pollution to the Environment Agency hotline 0800 807060

Paddle UK is receiving received an increasing in the number of incident reports submitted through the online incident reporting system in which paddlers have been ill and where the water quality was a possible cause. Whether you are paddling, organising paddling activities, running an event or supporting others during a challenge, it is important to consider what approaches we can take to minimise possible illness.

If you are organising a paddling activity, or running an event it is highly recommended that water quality is part of the risk assessment process, taking into account the activity, environment and those that could be at risk. Use the AI Risk Assessment Checker to support you in the development of your risk assessment.

Paddle UK has comprehensive advice and guidance which 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.

Last Updated 18 December 2025

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 England Slalom Talent Programme Squad

The England Slalom Talent Programme have published their Qualification Criteria for 2025/26. A link can be found HERE.