It’s been a busy time for slalom at SPS. November 2023 saw members gain their Bronze and Silver Slalom Progress Award on the turning circle at the club and some members working towards their Silver and Gold Awards by entering local competitions.
In January and February SPS members were warmly welcomed at Stafford and Stone CC to take part in their Winter Series Races. Members Dillon, Anne-Marie, Anita and Thomas took part. This was some of our members first ever taste of a slalom competition.
February 2024 also saw SPS be invited for a morning of getting to know North Wales Slalom Club Paddlers and Coaches, Hosted by Jonathan Davies and Bob Finch. 9 SPS members were coached on the Upper Tryweryn by North Wales Slalom Club young paddlers and coaches, learning eddy hopping, ferry gliding and high crosses on grade 1-2 water. In the afternoon on this day SPS coaches had the opportunity to shadow North Wales Slalom Club Coaches learning how they coached and ran a slalom training session. We are hugely thankful to North Wales Slalom for this fantastic opportunity and hope to get the chance to work together in the future.
March 2024 saw Anne-Marie compete in her first Division 4 National Ranking slalom again at Stone. Anne-Marie is now ranked 53rd in Women’s Division 4.
April 2024 saw SPS become successful in securing an England Slalom Club Support Scheme Grant and be able to purchase 3 modern style slalom boats so far with this grant. 2 junior kayaks and 1 junior Canadian single.
May 2024 SPS members Thomas, William and Anita competed at Langham Farm Slalom Division 4 in picturesque Somerset. They were joined by paddlers Ben and Robert who have had taster sessions at SPS previously. Ben and Thomas both came away with Junior Prizes and Anita won a can of Cider for her efforts in the Veteran’s race. At this race we also had the chance to try out White Water Racing which included negotiating a 90 degree turn on moving water under the bridge!
June 2024 was 8 year old William’s first try at slalom racing at Stone where he was chuffed to get every single gate on his second run but being just beaten by his older brother Thomas.
July 2024 was a trip to Bala Mill to race the division 4 at a race put on jointly by 3 cane clubs working together for the benefit of slalom – Mold CC, Bala CC and North Wales Slalom club – the race was great fun even incorporating team runs where 3 paddlers negotiate the course at the same time. Anita and Thomas raced here.
At this just over midway point of the slalom season SPS now have 5 paddlers in the National Ranking System:
Women’s Division 4:
Anne-Marie Ranked 53rd
Men’s Division 4:
Thomas Ranked 13th
William Ranked 64th
Ben Ranked 81st (SPS Guest paddler)
Veteran Women:
Anita Ranked 6th
Recently Gari and Anita did some repairs to the slalom poles and are planning a fun slalom competition in the turning circle at the club on Saturday August 17th to include step overs and limbo amongst other challenges!
In June regular Wednesday evening slalom training sessions in the turning circle at the club commenced.
Post written by Anita Evans