Slalom News (Apr 2010)

Registered Company No 2612775

Sowerby Bridge Slalom 20 & 21 March

A wet start to the season meant a wash out of most racing - a big thank you to all who came to help out in various ways. Honourable mentions particularly to Anita and Mandy keeping start running while risking being washed away, office team for deciphering very wet judges sheets, and the safety team - particularly Mark for chucking me a throw line.

Although the hard work was in vain as far as the racing went, the good news is that we still made a profit.

Stone Div 3 / 4 Slalom - 14th March

Seven of us made it down to Stone for their race - an absolutely massive entry of 180 made for a long day at the river.

Well done to Pete Face for completing his first race and to Anita and Vicky for getting the C2 down one run. Brian ’clean run’ Dunn, Roger and Vicky kicked off their K1 seasons too. But the only ones going home with trophy mugs were Les and Sarah.

Upcoming races within easy reach . . .

Sat & Sun 17th & 18th April - Oughtibridge Div 3/4 (sorry can’t coach, I’m racing at the Tryweryn)

Sat & Sun 24th & 25th April - Matlock Div 2/3 and Open - coaching available. It’s a busy event so get your entry in.

Sat & Sun 1st & 2nd May - Bala Mill Div 2/3

Sat & Sun 15th & 16th May - Wagon Lane (Bingley) Div 3/4 - coaching available.

For the full calendar go to www.canoeslalom.co.uk Not sent for your bib yet?? Get it sorted now - you should have had a form with your yearbook. Speak to Les or Sarah if you need help.

Slalom Training

Wednesday nights - Training is still on running on a Wednesday night for all that want it (not slalom newcomers) - although if we have lots of paddlers, priority for coaching will be for those racing regularly. Those that have signed up should have had a copy of the training programme. This includes evening trips over to the Washburn in May and June, and don’t forget about the Yorkshire region slalom training at Grandtully (Scotland) from 23 - 27th August.

Slalom News - April 2010

Above: Pete Face racing at Stone

Below: Racing at Wagon Lane slalom (coming up in May)

Additional training day at Matlock - With the race days at Matlock coming up at the end of the month, we are having an another training trip to Matlock. This is a great chance to get some quality water time on the course before the race weekend when it’ll be really busy.

When: Sat 10th April - meet at Matlock at 10am - please let Les know if you are planning to come along.

More Start Slalom - A second ‘start slalom’ course (already full!) will be kicking off at the end of this month, with 3 weeks of coach and then racing at the Wagon Lane event on 15th & 16th May.

The ‘Clean Run Chart’ is filling up!!

As mentioned last time its back again this year - and there three on there already! Make sure you join the party at your next race!

Canoe 2012

This is canoe England national project to promote the Olympic disciplines of the sport in the run up to London 2012. The idea is to try and encourage people who have never tried slalom to give it a go. On Sun 23rd May we are hosting one of these events at the club which is aimed at any paddlers in the region that fancy giving slalom a go before going to a race.

Anyone who is available to help out on the day would be most welcome whether providing safety, encouragement or coaching people. Hopefully a spin off will be that we encourage some additional entries for our June slalom weekend. Please let me know if you are available.

Slalom Coaching Module

The new Slalom coaching foundation module is available and we are looking to get a course to run at the club over the summer. This is aimed at existing coaches to given them slalom specific skills and knowledge to add this to their coaching. However I am hoping that any non-coaches that want to sit in will be able to - let me know if you are interested.

That’s all for now - see you at the river!

Les

01484 854099 07786 525912 lesford@ntlworld.com