Oughtibridge Slalom Report and Date of the Next Slalom

Our slalom rep Dan Snow writes about last weekend’s slalom at Oughtibridge:

Firstly, thank you to everyone who attended over the weekend (big thanks to Gail for cooking us all breakfast while we was playing on the river) and especially well done to all our paddlers who competed. For some it was there first ever event and they did great. For others it was there first event of the season and they flew the flag for GSCC perfectly, Well done!

Also I must say well done to one of our Glandford paddlers who in the spirit of mutual collaboration between local canoe clubs, paired up with a girl from Green Star Canoe Club to take part in her first C2 event (sorry about the screaming Sheffield!).

If you got promoted at the weekend you should have also got a promotion certificate which you need to be able to apply for your own bib. Any queries please speak to a GSCC coach and we’ll be happy to help. I’m sorry to hear that some of you who did fantastic, even coming first in their class still didn’t get promoted ! unfortunately it just depends on the number of other people in that class on the day, sorry but don’t give up!

So……the next suitable div 3/4 we’ll  be attending is at Wagon Lane (BD16 1LT) run by Bradford & Bingley Canoe Club on the 19th/20th May. Again this is a good course for beginners so first timers are very welcome. The course is similar to Oughtibridge although a bit wider and has a cool spectator bridge. Each day is classed as a separate event so if you can only make one day then that’s fine.

Camping is also available on the Friday and Saturday evening  which some of us may be doing. There is room for tents and caravans  although there is no electric hook up I’m afraid.

Entries close at 10am on the day but again we try get there early (8:30 ish) so we get some practice runs in. It is possible to enter the event online using the canoe slalom website http://www.canoeslalom.co.uk/info/precision.htm.  If your in div 3 do this before 7th of May then it is a couple of pound cheaper per day.

You will need your bib number and own BCU membership to apply online (BCU membership starts at £27 per year for a youth and has many benefits, I’ve just booked “paddle in the park” at HPP (https://www.nwscnotts.com/nwsc/paddle-in-the-park)and saved about £15 plus I saved about £6 off my Wagon lane online entry. I think you also get 10% off at shops like Cotswolds adventure). Any queries please ask a GSCC coach.

We will try get some slalom training in before the next event so watch out for any updates.

Look forward to seeing you all on the water soon, best regards, Dan, Slalom Rep, GSCC.