Slalom
Let's get started!
Canoe slalom is an exciting sport where the goal is to navigate a canoe or kayak through a challenging course of hanging gates on river rapids as quickly as possible. The gates can be set so you have to go through them either downstream or upstream, adding to the thrill and challenge.
There are different race categories for one-person kayaks and both one-person and two-person canoes. These categories include Men's K1, Women's K1, Men's C1, Women's C1, and C2. In a K1 race, the athlete sits in a single-seat kayak and uses a paddle with blades at both ends. The C1, also known as a Canadian, involves kneeling in the boat and using a single-bladed paddle. The C2 category is for two paddlers, both kneeling and using single-blade paddles.
Paddlers of all ages can join in the fun, and there are usually special prizes awarded to the top competitors in each age group (sometimes even including adults!).
Rules
Each gate in Slalom is made up of two poles hanging from a wire stretched across the river. A typical course has 18 to 25 numbered gates, with 6 to 8 upstream gates. The gates are colour-coded: green for downstream and red for upstream, showing which direction they need to navigate.
Upstream gates are usually found in calmer spots called eddies, where the water is either still or slightly moving upstream. Paddlers enter these eddies from the main current and paddle upstream through the gate. To add a bit of extra challenge, downstream gates can also be placed in eddies, or staggered on alternating sides of the current, requiring quick, agile turns in fast-moving water.
For the fastest paddlers, most slalom courses take between 80 and 120 seconds to complete. Depending on factors like the course's difficulty, water turbulence, and the skill level of other competitors, times can go up to 200 seconds.
Divisions
Slalom paddlers are grouped to compete against others with similar abilities on water that suits their skill level.
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There are five divisions: Premier, and Divisions 1 through 4. Newcomers usually begin in Division 4. As you improve, you get promoted to higher divisions, where you'll face more challenging waters and tougher competition.
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In Division 4, the courses are more manageable, featuring a rush of water from a weir, some moving water in a stream, or even a flat water lake. As you advance to Division 1 and Premier, the courses become bigger water and trickier!
For C2 (two-person canoe) paddlers, there's only one combined division, but new pairs can still compete in Division 2, 3, and 4 events
Let's Get Racing!
1. Register for Racing
Beginners can race in Divison 4 without being ranked, however if you choose to race in Divison 3 you will need to register by filling in the Slalom Ranking Form.
Tip: K1 and C1 need to be registered separately. You will need Paddle Cymru membership to race.
2. Contact your Race Bib Officer
Once you have your discipline ranked, you will need to email your Divison's bib officer to apply for your bib. Bib officers are responsible for creating your bib record on the system. Find your regional bib officer here: https://www.canoeslalom.co.uk/bibs/bib-officers/
3. Apply for your Race Bib
When your bib has been added to the system by the bib officer, you can then apply online via the Slalom Bib System here.
4. Enter your race
Head here at Canoe Slalom Entries website to enter your races. Tip: Volunteers helping with the event enter as Officials. Make sure you enter the race as a paddler!