Matlock Slalom Div 2/3: April 2026
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
By Rowan Cysewski Light
Introduction to the Matlock Slalom Div 2/3
I attended the April Matlock Slalom Div 2/3, and I really enjoyed the whole experience. It was an amazing location with a beautiful river and a fun course to race on. On the first day, I raced in Div 2 K1, as it was my first time competing there. On the second day, I also entered the Div 2 C1 event.
One of the best parts of the Matlock Slalom weekend was seeing lots of paddling friends from other clubs that I don't usually get to meet. Even though it was a new venue for me, I felt that I managed it well and settled in quickly.
Travel and Logistics
Matlock is a very unusual race venue. The river runs right next to a main road filled with motorbikes, and the town feels more like a seaside resort than somewhere in the middle of the country. There are fish and chip shops, gift shops, and even an amusement park nearby.
The journey from Cardiff to the Matlock Slalom site took around three to four hours, so we had to leave at lunchtime to make sure I could complete my free practice session before the racing weekend began.
There is no camping on site, so we booked a Travelodge in Chesterfield, about 25 minutes away. That meant an early start each morning, with official practice beginning at 8:30 am.
Racing and Training
I really enjoyed the Matlock Slalom course. It had some technical moves to work through, along with a big sprint section in the middle. On all but one of my runs, I picked up at least one touch, but I still enjoyed every minute because the river was so nice and the course was well designed.
Because of the early starts, I decided to do my free practice sessions in the afternoons so I could get a little more sleep in the mornings. I think this was the best option, as it meant I could stay on the water longer and spend more time learning the course.
My results were:
Day One – Div 2 K1: 5th place
Day Two – Div 2 K1: 5th place, only 0.1 seconds from 4th
Day Two – Div 2 C1: Joint 3rd, but placed 4th after countback, with a touch
Overall, I was very happy with how I paddled during the Matlock Slalom weekend.
Great Atmosphere and Vibes
In the afternoon, we explored the town and visited the Fishpond pub. Nearby, there are fishponds filled with beautifully coloured carp and koi, which were great to see.
Back in the start pool, there were many friends I had not seen for a while, so it was brilliant to catch up with everyone again. There was so much support for all paddlers throughout the weekend, and that positive atmosphere made the Matlock Slalom event even more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
The Matlock Slalom Div 2/3 was a fantastic weekend of racing, training, and catching up with friends. It was a new venue for me, but one I quickly grew to enjoy. With strong performances, close racing, and a brilliant atmosphere, it was a memorable event and one I would happily return to in the future.
Comments