Parker/Hatley Div 2 C2 Shepperton Photo: Guy Gratton

Copy Copy for the magazine, in order of preference, may be submitted 1n any of the following formats On 3.5 inch floppy discs, saved as text or ASCII, although many IBM and most Mac wordprocessor texts can be read. As typed text. This can often be read straight into the magazine. But 1t also puts you at the mercy of the computer - most recent typos have arrived this way, although we are working on 1tl Hand written copy. This is better than not sending anything! Mind you 1t puts you at the mercy of the vaqanties of our typing, which can be worse than that of the computer. How you send 1t is not as important as your continuing to send it.so please continue to share your thoughts and ideas with us and the readership. Results and Event Reports We are always glad to get these and we do receive many results, but fewer reports. So 1f you go at event and like it or otherwise lets us what happening out there!

Advertising This should be sent to Sue Wharton. Please allow plenty of time if you wish us to do the artwork. Even a quarter page takes some time to set out. 1/4 Page Event advertising Send copy to the editor, fl O cheque (payable to the Slalom Committee) to Sue Wharton.

Photographs Black and white or colour. Preferably 5x7 or larger. Please always write your name, the paddler and the event on a label on the back of each photo. We try to return unused photos, but ususally keep them for several months in case we can use them. Ones unsuitable for reproduction will be returned with a brief explanation 1f an SAE 1s enclosed. If you need a photograph returning after publication contact the editor.

. Photographs for sale . . . . Photographs that have been published may be purchased direct from the photographer. The cost of a full sized print (which will usually be between BxB and 8xl 0) at a cost of £8.00 including postage or £7 .50 delivered to an event. This cost is very reasonable considering the investment of time, equipment and materials involved. Sometimes our better known photographers have enlargements of chance shots with them at events; a reasonable charge for them is £5. Please encourage them with the odd purchase! SLALOM Magazine 1 CONTENTS

Special Features EDITOR: G.D.NEVIN TYPESETTING: Slalom Magazine Inc (Hastings) Coaches Comer 6 The official magazine of the B.C.U Slalom Executive, Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont. Nottingham.NG 12 2LU World Cup Races 10 Disclaimer: The views expressed ,n this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor nor of the Pre-Otympics 11 Slalom Executive.

SUBSCRIPTIONS River Washburn 12 Subscriptions may be obtained at £7 .50 for 5 issues post paid (Cheques 'BCU Slalom Committee) from:• -The Champ! 14 Slalom Magazine Subscriptions, Hertwood Hill Farm, 117 Preston Road, Chorley, Lanes PR6 7 AX Ui14/16 Championships 16 Special Rates for overseas readers Tacen World Champs 20 ADVERTISING Rates for the next issue are available from: Bristol - Great New Future? 22 Sue Wharton Tele: 0257-262051

COPY Electronic Beam Timing 26 Please send contributions to the Editor at Slalom Magazine, 23 Manor Road, Hastings, East Sussex, Slalom's Dilema 28 TN34 3LL Fax: 0424-718572 Copy date for the next issue is ·- 25th September 1991 But please send earlier if possible! COVER PHOTO: Regular Shaun Pearce, World Championships 1991 Photo: Dan Smith - Allsport e All copy, photographs and artwork in Slalom Features magazine are the copyright of the authors/ contribu!ors and/or Slalom Magazine and may not be used elsewhere without written permission. Opinion 2 Current Affairs 4 Next Issue: Page 5 5 Junior Pre-Worlds Regional Roundup 17 Report Letter 24 2 SLALOM Magazine

. · 7 We have also decided that the British Successes! Not selection agam future of the sport would not be 0 nee agai· n we are b n· ng1· ng back Numerous exchanges have taken hel·p ed b y pbu bhli shin·dg di n detalil l th e trophies from all over the World. place about the paddlers selected or claims Y ot si e 8J a b e True we have not had equal otherwise on May 5th 1991 . Unfor- documents dhave a 1 rea Y d e~bn . widely an expensive 1 y rstn - successes in every Class_at every uted and it is to be hoped that the ~vent. but overall the picture is ******************• two main protagonists, who have s impres ive. i both given a great deal to the It 1· s a 1 so wort h no t·m q th a t we ~'IAJ~u1-"A.,_..,. *1' sport, will continue to do so. see.m to have the be~t .organ- iC ~ * However, as such a stir was isation and the be.st. timing as iC * caused by an apparently fool- members of our tirrunq teams proof selection policy what went th iC t;jj' * have ~een asked to time e -tc * wrong? First it must be appre- Olympic Slalom. -tc rj) /1 J J . ~ I * ciated that the current policy is i( ,ea/1,c,e, ·w~ * really a de-selection policy as no- Well done and thanks too to the -tc ' * one who has not met the selec- much berated ~ys~em that has -tc , ft:L'){ lt tion criteria can be selected made it all possible· iC ( ; anyway. It is also clear that the ! ., ...... ,. 77 number of boats to be selected in iC each class is UP TO the specified Do you park on iC number. There was definitely a double yellow lines? • ~ t/ie, ~ i failure of team. management to . . • give greater indicatron as to likely Many do on various occasions • '§;~. ' 7: , selection numbers to eligible and for various reasons (really ,, ,_,. .• A paddlers and 1t does seem -t( 0 * excuses). These include unload- -tc c;.vv, ,-v., * unnecessary to leave places inq. bank deposits and pl~in iC * vacant at World Cup events. A laziness, but w~at 1.s the overnd- • 4AA J _ * major constraint on selecting ing reason? Quite simply that the• f''(~ 011,, * maximum size teams depends on chance of getting a parking ticket iC * the paddlers being of a very 1s about 2~0 to 1 against and ! ~ ~~-/ * similar International standard :or worth the risk. If the odds were • I * two main reasons. The sports 2 to 1, most probably wouldn't , lt- financial backing from the risk it and if a ticket .was certain ! 1 National Sports Council and the few would dream of 1t. So how_ 1s • """" British Olympic Committee this relevant to slalom? Quite ,._..,._..,._..,._...... depends on results and it is no simply, late and incorrect entries tunately this has now rather degener- secret that funding overall is being and entries on the day. This ated into a well orchestrated slanging decreased, with more people happens at all events and tolerance match between one club, fronting for chasing less cash. The other reason and understanding is to be a paddler, and the executive, via the is equally important and is that a expected at Division 4 and 5, Chairman. team only works as a team if it especially with entries on the day, shares the same commitment and but this becomes less acceptable Although there is right on both sides each member has similar abilities at Divisions 3 and 2 and inexcus- we have decided, after much debate and requirements from coach and able at 1 and Prem. It is not fair on and a considerable amount of waver- management - something very organisers who have to keep ing, to come down on the side of the apparent at the moment in the updating start lists nor on paddlers Executive - not something we ever do extremely successful Mens Kl . who have their race times chanced lightly! Most slalom registered clubs at the last minute. If all organisers will have received both Windsor Thus the main problem is undoubt• did as one Div 1 organiser did and Canoe Clubs attack on the existing edly the old one of lack of commu• put all incorrect .and duplicated system and, surprisingly, a strong nication - but we ".1espair of that team entries in different scratch response issued by the Chairman. The being remedied in the foreseeable teams at random and returned all latter is an almost unheard of event future, due partly to lack of suffi• late and incorrect entries this and one which Slalom Magazine has cient help. In the end the Selection would stop immediately and has never managed to elicit. despite Committees skill can only be tested perhaps harassed organisers various tirades about our governing on results and the results this year would be more encouraged to run body over the years. support them. the event next year. Andy Stuart Prem K1 & Div 1 C1 Winner Washburn Div 1 Photo: GDN 4 SLALOM Magazine Current Affairs

In Memoriam Olympic movement. Those who join get Promotion and Seahnk. an information pack, newsletters, cernf• Open Forums A serious title for Slalom Magazine and icate and huge wall poster and there Is hopefully the content of this series will even a special Radio 5 programme "On Open forums are to be held folowing the prompt some serious thought. your Marks" for members. following events:-

This is about trophies, the names on them, If you're not an Olly-mpian yet and would al' Saturday Bala Mill Premier August why they were presented and some like to be one, contact Jan Paterson at 31st anecdotes. The sad common theme is that British Young Olympic Club 1 Wandsworth bl Saturday lnterClub Champs 7th each one died while still competing or Plain London SW18 1 EH. Most of you September. contributing to . attending the Under 14 and Under 16 cl Saturday Tryweryn 1, 21st September. Champs held at Cardington in May met the Phillip Hayward, Colin Ralph, Tony Brown, Producer of the Radio 5 programme and These are to be led by the Chairman of the Jeff Allcock, Mike Jones, Simon Warden, saw the Young Olly stand - Amanda Slalom Committee and include various Alan Harwood - These are the names that Trollope K1 LJ from Winchester inter• topics of interest are connected to trophies awarded to viewed MBE and the broad• National Champions and category leaders cast and several birthday dedications and All interested parties are invited - based on end of season rankings. Each of pop music requests were heard the paddlers, supporters, club reps from all them has a special place in the collective following Saturday during the 'On your divrsions and it Is YOUR chance to say memory of the slalom community which is marks' programme. how you think things should be done and recognised by the annual presentation of ask any questions about how things are the trophy which carries the name. currently done. Don't say you weren't HELP TO RUN YOUR mvrted 1 This is a starter piece which invrtes anyone to contribute a recollection about the SPORT! person, the trophy or reciprents of the Right now, more than ever before, we 1992 Calendar Reduced? trophy or the donors. Future issues will need you! Parents, friends, supporters for ALL events should have been applied for feature one or two trophies. Here Is the all sorts of different tasks - listing: by 31st August. This helps give time to Dave West, our tireless Equipment Hiring avoid unwelcome and unnecessary date Officer is retiring from the post at the end clashes and to give a balances calender TROPHY AWARDED TO of this season. We thank Dave for allhis across all Dtvrsions. So far, few appl,ca• Phillip Hayward hard work and are looking for someone to Rosebowl Kl Men National take over. trons have been received so please check Champion with your Slalom organ,sers! Currently, the Job entails planning the Colin Ralph Trophy Kl Men 1st Junior routing of TUTTI, the timing and commu• (18) nications equipment, around the country National Team Champs from , salom to slalom. It s not quite as Points, Div 1 & Prem Tony Brown Trophy Kl Men 1st easy as that, as people are volved In deliv• Division One ery and collection and a good deal of The scoring system for these champion• patience and a strong sense of humour is slups has been inadvertently omitted from Jeff Allcock Trophy Cl 1st Divrsion required, plus the use of a telephone. the yearbook. A simple descending points One system applies, with the winners awarded If you are interested and would like to points as follow: Simon Warden Trophy Cl 1st Junior (18) know more, give us a call - either Chris K1 Men 10 pts (2nd 9pts etc.) Ebrey 0978 352397 or Sue Wharton 0257 Kl Ladies & Canadians 5 pts (2nd 4pts Alan Harwood Trophy Kl Men 1st 262051 or 1f you d like to talk to Dave about etc.) Veteran (Div 2-4) it first, his number is 0533 883719. In each case cards are not acceptable whrcha re incomplete, illegible or contain Mike Jones Trophy Kl Men Team 1st We need too someone too to write names different to the published results. Division One reports for Canoe Focus - Joe Mulhol• land has really brightened up the Slalom There will also be a piece about Paul feature over the past few months, but he Bib Deadline Farrant, World Champion 1959. This has now moved on to pastures new - trophy is awarded to the Kl Men World thanks to Joe for injecting some life into All bibs must be returned for credit or bib Champion - currently, of course, Shaun our pages ! Anyone out there interested in voucher by 30th November 1991. Pearce. Contributions and comment to helping in this area - Roger Fox, 117 A Queens Drive, London N4 2BE. please telephone Sue Wharton New Postage Rates 0257 262051 British Young Olympic If these take affect m September as threatened .do check before sending off Club Thanks for bibs, start sheets or any thing else that requires an SAE, Failure to do so can Open to all under 14 s who want to have To Milaire the major sponsor of the Great fun with sport and take an active part in the Britain Teams. Thanks also to Alternative cause delays, including late entry for events. SLALOM Magazine 5 Page Five

Praise Indeed Re: Richmond and Finkel Priory Slaloms z D I V I s I 0 N s V M D F L Dear Sir, K s R E L D D A p 0 D K G I p I am an instructor at Albemarle Barracks and I took some Junior Soldiers to both of s A S J C A G E u N E V D N J the above events. as 1t 1s very nice to get p p the young soldiers involved in civilian E F F s T 0 E R Q N s I s events and at such cornpetrtrons we are made to feel very welcome. At both I E E s u F A R s E R A L s E events the organisation was good. Scores p were put up quickly on to the board so G G M H u D F K s E M A H T everyone knew how they were doing. 0 E M K D G D J F My seven year old son took part m L T R L U R competitions at both locations and was p A I A H given lots of encouragement. 1n fact at N L u T A A I 0 G A Richmond he was presented with medal p S W Y C I which he is very proud of, which I thought E D J MWAMAT was a very nice gesture The setting at Finkel Priory was excellent for my family R I s A 0 N s G u R E H WT S who came along and had a very eniovable y weekend. The only unfortunate incident I L R K U I R E R E T C E R was when our kit was drying on the railings y and some thugs stole most of my son's z WR M R A s s H I B u s I equipment and some of my. Fortunately we managed to regain some of it as they E B L N s R W F w T H K L Q V dropped 1t when they ran off. s 0 M C E T H j M D F F T E I must say that I am pleased to see that w novice has now been made Divrsion 5 E z I p A C 0 D D I p A R R which makes the paddlers feel that they s are part of the slalom circuit ~t£) %11:t11 A Ward (JIB Ouston) CAG CAPSIZE CHAIRMAN COURSE DIVISION FINISH Late News GATES JUDGES JURY All Div 5 padlers should find Croal PADDLERS Valley Div 4/5 on October 5/6 1991 a POGIES particularly interesting and exciting PRIZES RAPID event to go to! We will publish the best RIVER SLALOM START reports on this event, one from a young STOPPER SWIMMERS THERMALS paddler and one from a parent. TRAINING VENUE WHITEWATER

----:::• ... and now for the results of selection Richard Houndslow U10 Champs Cardington Photo: MA Nichols (07851840573 6 SLALOM Magazine Coaches Corner Alan Edge

2 quotes worth remembering: - all of which have a significant bearing Paddlers must be helped to take what on a paddlers 'whole' development. As they need from the bank support avail• " The moment that a coach a coach or personal coach or adviser - able. This is a two-way process involv• becomes a great coach . whatever you want to call yourself - you ing the National Team support system ...... is when a great athlete walks must be concerned or at least aware of and the paddlers. A paddler has got to through their door" these if you are to keep the overall be able to take feedback in whatever situation in clear focus. Often as an form - consider it - sift it - take what is "A coach should have a 'built-in' redun• 'outside agency' you can spot and necessary and reject the rest. This dancy target with an athlete of not more usually retrieve situations before they feedback may be in the form of splits/ than 5 years" become a crisis. video or technical comments or comparisons. It is just not good enough Just in case we ever start to get inflated To return to the quotes though - I to say "I don't get this at home and opinions of what we are actually believe goals are just as important for therefore I don't need it here" Domestic achieving - quotes like these can bring the coach as for the paddler. Each races are quite patently different from you back down to reality. individual you work with will have major Internationals - most times it is specific demands on you - be certain impossible to even run down with a Although it is impossible to generalise that you are sure in your own mind paddler let alone see every gate .... on what each paddler will need we can about what that paddler needs and Without the Team Coaches observing still work within some very useful deserves ..... THEN discuss it and agree it sections accurate feedback is guidelines. with the paddler concerned. Aims and impossible. objectives do not work if they are not GOAL SETTING is essential if we are to shared and agreed by all concerned. For some paddlers utilising this recognise and reflect the individual feedback is not easy and it demands needs of each paddler. Everything PERSONAL COACHES familiarisation with the Team Coaches about a paddler must be reflected As standards move on we are beginning well in advance to be happy with the within these goals. Things like: to see a greater number of 'personal system. Every paddler is different and it coaches' involved in slalom. These may is vital for the Team Coaches to 'get to Potential - How good are they likely to or may not be paddlers; they may or know' individuals - their likes and be? Are we being unreasonable in our may not be father, mother, wife, dislikes. Close liason with personal expectations? OR just as importantly - husband, girlfriend etc etc. What they coaches is useful here. are we under-estimating ..... ? have in common is a personal commit• ment of some kind to the paddler in Obviously wherever possible the Team Desire/Motivation - Do they really want question. As is obvious from my list Management will attempt to get to succeed? Are they prepared to go above there are plenty of areas where a accredited access for personal coaches through with the necessary commit• paddler needs help - apart from on or - but there is a logistical limit to this ment and sacrifice? around the water. In fact the more 'elite' when there could be over 15 such a paddler becomes the more crucial requests .... Personal Situation - family; financial; some of these areas become academic; emotional. All these areas So we come back round to that 2nd will affect in some way the sporting During the event itself the requirements quote - eventually a coach should aim aspirations of the paddler. of the paddler change as experience is to make him or herself redundant - gained. The aim of the coach should be especially at the races themselves. For 1-tealth - This should take in not just to help the paddler to become more sure the paddler will return for advice sports specific fitness but also general independent and vicarious in his or her and guidance but if you get it right you health; personal hygiene; stretching; methods of obtaining help and infor• will have helped create an independent, general mobility long-term. mation. The bigger the race the greater successful, individual capable of the restrictions are on getting good operating within any system. Getting Other interests - What else does the access to the course and riverbank help where needed - blocking out paddler have apart from ? Do areas. Any kind of reliance on one distractions and trivia - keeping the we really want to help in turning them person (as undoubtedly there will have uncontrollables to a minimum ..... into a boring automaton who knows been at earlier races) can only be a about nothing but bow rudders and weakness and an uncontrollable factor. Alan Edge cross-bows 77 Olympic Team Coach I'm certain you can think of others here At Major Races Abroad ..... SLALOM Magazine 7

..• OJ CD (II ••• !ll No. 1 BeA C: (') -:1' .;; CANOE CENTRE 3 for Prudent "O ::0 e 0 Palm,lmpulse,Kobe~ QJ I ?- Nimbus, Bushsport, Gui, Paddler ~ ~ - o· Tornado, Alpina, Insure your Canoe (D :":::, Wild Water, Propulsion, =r- QJ & Equipment 3 Freeblades, " • New for old cover ~ etc. ... :II: a. • .. Full all risks·~ on and off the water a...... -.. • Personal accident cover • £1000 000 liability cover • Cover for all grades of white water and ,:z"' Competition • Discount for clubs ~ llL·.-l',-~1:·r- I Contact Samantha for further details. d ~ r\.. ·· .. 'L I //'~cA()Y rOWJZ, tMtd 71vr~.,,,,, /

25 City Road Cambridge CB 1 1 DP Telephone: 0223-357131

Simon Ward Memorial Trophy

The 1990 British Junior Cl Champion, 18 year old Nathan Gray from Warren Canoe Club had the honour of being presented with this magnificent trophy by Mr and Mrs Warden at Crystal Palace earlier this year.

The trophy was kindly donated by them in memory of their son Simon, who was killed in a tragic car accident at Grandtully in 1989 8 SLALOM Magazine Shepperton - Old Rules Rule (for a day)

Andy Ripley (ex-England Rugby Player and winner of Super Stars, also ex-div 2 paddler) Shown here in a KW7

To revert back to the slalom rules and and large penalty scores were common as changed over the years, however most of boats of 1966 may seem a regressive paddlers collected 50 seconds penalties the paddlers dec,ded 1t was a more inter• step, but Judging by the success of this for an outside touch! esting challenge to use an old end cockpit event maybe there 1s room in our sport C2 or try the huge old Hahn Cl which was and enthusiasm for more nostalgia events In keeping with the spirit of the event found 1n a barn. Richard Domoney many of the paddlers dusted down their managed to propel this old beast to victory The weekend was organised as a celebra• old boats and equipment and a handicap 1n the singles class which contained 5 tion of the Shepperton Slalom Canoe system was introduced based on the age current Premier paddlers. The well Club's 25th birthday. The club started as of the craft used plus the number of years subscribed C2 competruon with a dozen a breakaway group of 9 cornpetrtive out of competrtion. It was interesting to crews sharing 2 boats saw probably the paddlers from the then Twickenham see such top paddlers like Rob Wright best performance of the weekend with a Canoe Club, and has grown to one of the debating whether to use an old Olymp 5 or excellent win by the ex youth Div 1 crew most successful clubs in the country Of his latest carbon fibre boat ! In fact most of Brian Hepburn and Alan Alexander. the original 9 members, 6 were tracked of the competitors found that with the They last paddled together m C2 seven• down and forced out of retirement to 101n handicap and type of course they were teen years ago! 135 other past and present club members better off in an old ship. for a Saturday night Bar-b-Brew. With an entry of nearly 80 paddlers and a Bryan Noble showed he was still a formid• large number of spectators enjoying the ! Sunday got off to a leisurely start befitting able competitor by winning the competition m the sun the event was the social atmosphere of the event. 8111 age 25-35 class, while John Griffiths, better supported than many current Williams had designed a course on the paddling a 'Viking Slimline!' took first place ranking events! In fact many people weir pool in the style of the times, hence in the 35-45 category. The fiercely suggested that it should become a regular there were two reverse gates and one free contested race for the over ·45·s saw event and even part of a classic series'. gate which could be attempted from any victory for Les Saunders, Just in front of Martin Hedges felt that 1n keeping with direction The rest of the course was quite that old soldier of Div 3, Vince Lamph. tradition old slalom sites like Marsh Lock straight forward with none of the tight Mother of two, Jane Horn looked as should be used. Though it is probably the turns and staggers that are seen worried as ever but easily won the ladies memory of paddling at this potentially boat nowadays. However, with no dipping event. wrapping venue that made many paddlers allowed in 1966 rules as the poles were retire in the first place! considered to project down to the bottom The Canadian classes gave the best of the nver, there were very few clear runs indication of how boat designs have Andy Halliday SLALOM Magazine 9 LATE NEWS Supersport James Stevenage Borough Council launched the '1991 · Year of Sport with a multi-sport event between eight of the finest sportsmen from the borough who compete from County to International level In their particular discipline and it was the youngest competitor, James Croft who was named Stevenage Sportstar when he beat AND CAMPING the seven other contestants to win the coveted title.

CAMBRIDGE'S SPECIALIST AGM Warning CANOESHOP The date for the AGM is incorrect in the Yearbook. It Is in fact one week earlier on November the 23rd 1991 . We have been • assured that the incorrect date wasn't published to prevent the SUPPLIERS OF SLALOM AND OTHER Editor of Slalom Magazine attending. Although we are willing to CANOE EQUIPMENT accept that, we are still not convinced that the intention wasn't CAMPING & BACKPACKING to try and prevent us wangling free admission to the informal dinner that will follow at the Nottingham Moat Hotel on EQUIPMENT Mansfield Road A hrruted number of tickets are available for this * SKI-ING & LEISURE WEAR * popular event from Sue Wharton at a cost of around £12 50. Discount rate accornodauon at the hotel for that night are also MAIL ORDER SERVICE available. Should anyone have a spare ticket please feel free to contact the Editor * LOOK OUT FOR OUR * MOBILE TRADE STAND Slalom Trainers Course * AT EVENTS * Suitable for all active supporters of Slalom who wish to increase their coaching skills - you need not be an accomplished canoe.st. SHOP OPENING HOURS Supported by the Sports Council and run by GB Team Coach Alan 9.30-6.00 TUES WED FRI m.4 Edge the cost of this two day course Is only £5 Details from 10.008.00 THURSDAY Sue Wharton, 0257 262051 9.00-5.00 SATURDAY - 171 High St. Chesterton Cambridge -CB4 l NL Ultimate Run? '!r (0223) 311411 This issue may well be the Editor's Ultimate Run - hope that you eruov 1t1

.• 1 Q SLALOM Magazine World Cup Races 1,2,3

2 Lelievra/Daille FRA 179.18+5 Mezzana AUGSBURG 3 Benes/Kucera TCH 184.20 World Cup 1st Leg - World Cup 2nd Leg 9 Meikle/Brown GBR 198.53 18 Rouche/ Ambridge GBR 212.27+25 With the Tacen Worlds finished and more And so on to good old Augsburg and for serious events in Slovenia about to unfold, the first time ever a new start posrnon. REALS sur L'ORB the Woi;,ld Slalom Circus rather thankfully Starting just above the first bridge - moved on to World Cup action at Mezzana paddlers were spared the trials of 'Avery - WORLD CUP 3 - in Italy. This will be the venue for the 1993 Brundage' (the boily hole soon after the Southern France Worlds a superb natural river site - but with top sluice) and were looking at running a rather vanable water supply. It can be times of 150 secs for MK1. However don't An overnight dash to the Mediterranean anything from a good grade 4 to a poor think this reduced the difficulty in anyway coast of France helped us avoid the worst grade 3 depending on the snow and sun - even 10 downstreams in a straight line of the high temperatures. Driving In a conditions prevailing further up the valley. can be demanding on the Augsburg botls minibus In temperatures of 37 degrees C and surges! The water was a good level on arrival but plus Is not to be recommended! This was dropped slightly through the week - Again In MKl our paddlers produced the a new site in the Midi region of France - however It still made for an excellent race goods - Fox taking a 2nd consecutive win the French with obviously money to spend Paddiers seemed glad to be free of the ( this with a five & a spin-out In the washing had created a slalom site out of nothing - swirls and boils of Tacen and this coupled machine would believe?) As we saw at rocks/river/desert that was all they had with a rather straightforward course made Savage in 1989 he makes good watching There was not one bit of shade for miles for some hot aggressive racing Richard when he has an early penalty and Is trying around - and boy was It hot! There was a Fox and Gareth Marriott put all thoughts of to make up time ... put In a b,g marquee with free water where we all Tacen behind them with 2 excellent wins. great first run - beaten only by Fox's 2nd hid when we weren't on the river bank - Margins for error were virtually non• run - he was a comfortable 2nd leaving the unfortunately It Just too far away to do existent with both Judging their pacing to impression that there is still a lot more to sphts and video from I! Another quirk of perfection. Mana Francis put in a fine first come. the site was that the dam controlled water run wh,ch secured an Olympic Qualifying came from 2 dams upstream - 8 and 24 place for LKl - 2nd run penalties prevented In LKl Lynn Simpson placed an excellent hours away respectively. The day before her from ImprovIng on this - her first run 5th - a clean run showing she has the the race It appeared that the dam 8 hours placing her just in the top 10. All 3 GB C2's technique and the concentration to place away was threatening to withhold its finished In the top half of the results with well ms,de the world top 10. Close behind water in return for better working condr• some good aggressive and accurate was Mana Francis ,n 7th place - this with tions for its employees. Negot1at1ons duly paddling - however the standard at the top 1 0 penalties. If the BOA needed any failed and so the race ran on two-thirds of this class is such that they could still not convincing about the re-emerging strength release only. The only problem with this break into that elusive top third. of our LKl then these 2 results will was that the water had to travel 24 hours certainly help. In Cl Gareth was again right before It got to the site By the time MK1 on the pace but one expensive spin-out on evaporation and trnqation had taken its toll 1 Richard Fox GBR 132.61 the tricky washing machine sequence lost the level seemed to be about half 2 Ian Wiley IRL 132.76 him 9 seconds and 9 places - he finished release ..... Its not just in the UK that we 3 Clouzeau FRA 132.98 9th. have water problems! So the first day - 26 Melvyn Jones GBR 133.27+10 LK1 & Cl - ended up with a changing 34 GBR 136.02+10 RESULTS shape of water and rather high poles - not ideal World Cup racing conditions. LK1 MK1 1 Myriam Jeruslarru FRA 147.11 1 Richard Fox GBR 150.68+5 However there was some fine paddling - 2 DahaCeladex USA 150.2 2 Melvyn Jones GBR 155.74 Myriam Jerusalrru winning LK1 by a mile 3 K Striepecke FRA 154.29 3 David Ford CAN 158.08 and Lynn Simpson following up her 10 Maria Francis GBR 158.02+5 18 Ian Raspin GBR 164.22+5 performance at Augsburg with a fine 6th 21 Karen Like GBR 171.27+10 place, Some of Lynn's splits indicate that 28 Joan Jayes GBR 190.6+10 K1L it won't be long before she starts to place 1 Elisabeth Micheler GER 172.1+5 In that top 5. The next day saw more C1 2 Myriam Jeruslami FRA 177.02+5 consistent water levels and turned out to 1 Gareth Marriott GBR 137.25 3 Eva Roth GER 179.26+5 be a proud one for British MKl paddling. 2 USA 738.37 5 Lynn Simpson GBR 192 Ian Raspm at last produced the form that 3 Lukas Pollert TCH 139.2 7 Maria Francis GBR 185.87+ 10 we know he is capable of with 2 blistering 15 Bill Horsman GBR 154.85 17 Joan Jayes GBR 212.01 +5 clean runs - he took the win by over a second from Richard Fox - with our New C2 C1 World Champion Shaun Pearce just over a second down in 3rd place. This was 1 Simek/Rohan TCH 147.44 1 USA 163.51 2 Daille/Lelievre FRA 147.67+5 2 Shaun's first race since his sensational win GER 161.68+5 in Tacen - the pressure was on and he duly 3 Stausrauqh/Jacobi USA 154.46 3 H Delamarre FRA 167.57 produced the goods. The French (and 9 Richardson/ 6 Gareth Marriott GBA 172.02 everybody else for that matter) were Thompson GBR 164.11 absolutely stunned - only the Americans in 10 Clough/Clough GBR 165.13 C2 Cl have ever managed a clean sweep 16 Rough/Ambridge GBR 164.47+15 1 Rohan/Simek TCH 178.06+5 before at top World level. Its a fact that SLALOM Magazine 11 The Pre-Olympics

now in the MK1 class Hugh Mantle has superb; most are narrow and fiddly. There on the pace after this first event. Haspm produced a group of athletes - any one of are no really bad surges such as we know continuing his good form put in two clear whom are capable of winning a medal at of old from Augsburg. All in all they've runs and whilst maybe a little 'safe' he will World or Olympic level. A great position to done a great Job - it will be a fair and be quite happy to be in that top 10 again. be in and one which is the envy of the demanding whitewater test for the other nations . Olympic titles. One striking thing was the number of penalties for this level of event. Obviously K1M Pare De Segre - The Olympic the unfamiliarity contributed to this but .. 1 Ian Raspin GBR 161.66+0 Slalom Site also the extreme narrowness of It and the 2 Richard Fox GBR 162 94+0 mtensitv of the stoppers created real 3 Shaun Pearce GBR 163.47+0 problems for the C2's. Even the top Czech Things were progressing fast right up to and French crews were struggling there the race · to all intents and purposes It was K1L were only 4 clean runs In C1/C2/ still a building site. BUT they have some 1 Myriam Jeruslarru FRA 180.26 LK1 This winter will see some inten- trees;· they have a conveyor belt return; 2 Svlviel.epelner FAA 190 29 sive work to get to grips with slalom 'SEU' 3 Stepanka Hilger- they have some great facilities such style .. tciva TCH 190.93 showers, werqhtsroorns etc etc · by next 6 Lynn Simpson GBR 193.96 year it will be a real Slalom Stadium. I'm 19 Mana Francis GBR 20812 pretty sure It will be the venue for many So Just 2 World Cup races left at the end 23 Joan Jayes GBR 214 67 ma1or races over the next few years - the of August in the USA. Mr & Mrs Fox look Olympics Is just the start .... fairly safe bets for the Kayak titles but the C1 other 2 classes seem to be wide open. 1 Martin Lang GER 178.29 The Race Itself With good races m the US both Shaun and 2 Jon Lugb1II USA 179.86 Melvyn can be close to top 5 - Lynn 3 Andreas Kubler GER 1793 In many ways a new course like this was Simpson needs 1 more good result to be In 10 Gareth Marriott GBR 184.22+5 a great leveller. No paddler or country had the top 5. Gareth has the class to take the any real advantage; no one had spent a title but I don't think he should count on C2 stqnifrcant amount of time getting to know being able to wm with 10 penalties too the moves; the coaches were untarrulrar often _11 LA SEU d'URGELL with It all; the course designers were unsure of what exactly the water was Alan Edge THE PRE-OLYMPICS doing (in the case of the ICF commission, - GB Olympic Coach maybe even more unsure than usual I) A So after the highs of Reals - a small group narrow, steep course was sure to have RESULTS of us continued on to Spain for a well• implications for C2/Cl and generally for earned siesta. some acchrnausatron on the boat design - but to what extent ... _?. Mk1 new course and a rest from travelling. The 1 Ian Wiley IRE 123.93 paddlers had done 4 races ,n 21 days and All In all this made for an interesting first 2 M StrvkelJ YUG 125.84 in the process travelled from Yugoslavia to race and sure enough that's what we 3 M Bnssaud FAA 126.55 ltaiy to Germany to France and now to got.. 6 Richard Fox GBR 123.31+5 Spain a punishing schedule ... A week later 9 Ian Raspm GBR 131.1 the rest of the team rejoined us from GB One thing Is certain about SEU - 1f you tram 21 Melyn Jones GBR 141.12 and we started to work on . a lot on artificial water . it helps. Gareth Marriott's Nottingham skills were very LK1 The Olympic Slalom Course much m evidence m his Cl win. His boat 1 K Stnepecke GER 146.43+5 posrtrorunq and pace control were 2 Z Grossmannova TCH 152.91 +5 This was now in its finished state - several outstanding and even 2 small touches 3 E Mrcheler GER 147.98+ 10 'fine tunings' having been made to it since could not prevent the win. Taking over 10 12 Kare Like GBR 167.45+20 our March visit. The pumps were in seconds out of any top class field Is 1 4 Rachel Fox GBR 151.31+20 operation and race level appeared to be impressive but on Seu over 2 minutes - its 27 M Francis GBA 202.65+65 about 12 cu/mecs (max Is 15 but appar• phenomenal. Going clear would have ently this floods It out rather) Seeing It in given him top 5 in MK1 the next day. This Cl operation one 1s struck by how simple it all result places him high on the hst for 1 Gareth Marriott GBR 133.72+5 is. There is so little water m the main river potential medallists in 1992. In LK1 Karen 2 J Ontko TCH 140.66 at this time of year (less than 3 cu/mecs) Davies grabbed another Olympic qualify• 3 D Hearn USA 139.46+5 that it operates almost as a closed system ing place-with a hard-earned 11th position. 9 Bill Horsman GSA 143.20+10 - water trickling in at the top and out at the She's fast regaining her old form of 1987- 25 M Delany GBR 154.64+ 10 bottom with the majority (about 9 cu/ 88 and I 'm certain she will be a strong mecs) being re-circulated by the pumps. contender for team places next year. C2 The nature of the course is narrow (similar 1 Delrey/Said1 FAA 144.55+5 to the approach to the dog leg at Bala) Hopes were high for MK1 but on this 2 Hemmer/Loose GER 151.57+5 there is a continuous gradient down the occasion it was not to be. Fox had the 3 Simek/Rohan TCH 146.98+ 10 whole length apart from 2 pools and there fastest time but a small touch on the 18 Rouche/Ambndge GBR 192.80+ 15 are a lot of stoppers. There are no waves straightforward top section dropped him 25 Clough/Clough GSA 185.37 +60 to speak of at all. Running time for MK1 to 6th. He raced the hard bits superbly 27 Richardson/ will be about 120 secs. Some eddies are though and he will be well satisfied to be Thompson GBR 172.76+200 12 SLALOM Magazine THE RIVER WASHBURN - the inside story

ore than 10 years ago, whilst to canoeing, sole rights have now been To date although costs have been kept to walking his dog along the granted not to anglers, conservationists or a minimum using voluntary labour from M Washburn Valley, Chris Hawkes• any other organisations. but to canoeists. clubs and canoeists where possible, the worth conceived the idea of developing However, under the terms of the lease bills have mounted up. The cost of the dam-controlled River Washburn into a toilets must be built on the site. Although improving and draining the car park and site for canoeing. At that time. no one had this Is a top priority item, several other building the track across the bridge and canoed down the river since the dam had improvements have already been made to along the far side of the river has come to been built and through Chris's irutral idea the site. The approach road has been more than £9,000. Digging the trench for and drive, the Washburn Management tarmaced and the car park has been the water pipe was a massive operation .• ...... Committee was formed. The river Is a drained, hard cored and extended by involving cutting through rocky terrain up continuous stretch of Grade 2 - 3 water rernovrnq the remains of ;; rlrv c:.tnnP """'' the very steep hrllside and along the moors for more than 1 /2 mile to the nearest water mains - the water pipe itself and the connection charges have come to nearly £4,000,and laying the foundations to the toilet black has cost £1762. Obviously there have been other costs. such as the dry stone walling, work on the access road and the new gate to the car park. The Sports Council has grant aided the project up to £15,000 and donations and grants have been received elsewhere, but a further £15,000 Is still urgently needed. The toilet block must, and will, be built. The Washburn Committee Is determined on this. The toilets have to be built in natural stone and the water authority - who are donating the stone - has already designated a derelict building to be dismantled as soon as the go-ahead Is given.

The go-ahead will be given as soon as the money Is raised To date. clubs have sent in donations - some of them exceeding £1,000 , and various national committees have Washburn - fast and tight Photo: M Spender also made donations If these donations continue, then the toilets running for approximately 31/2 miles, and rbuilding It further back. This work was will soon be built and further long-term although narrow and tree-lined there are done through the help of the British Trust plans can be fulfilled, such as the nver-bed no serious obstructions and It has now for Conservation Volunteers. Young trees improvements, building to house control became one of the country's premier sites have been planted, through sponsorship and also an application for planning for slalom, wild- water races and more from Shell Better Britain and the labour perrmssion for a camping site can be recently, has become very popular for donated by White Rose Canoe Club A made. So please, every paddler and recreational canoeists. The Washburn new track has been built over the bridge to competitor who has ever enjoyed a visit to Committee administers the running of the the far side of the river, passing the site of the Washburn, help us to continue the site, act1n{J as a liaison between the Water the new toilets and extending to the field development of the River Washburn. Authority, organising release dates. where, once the toilets are complete. 1t is maintenance, the day to day running of the hoped to gain planning permission for a The Washburn Committee would like to site, as well as organising the building camping site. The footpath is to be drained express their sincere thanks to the follow• • developments. 'The Committee does not and upgraded along the side of the nver - rng who have made donations towards the ' run its own slaloms or races - with the once agam with the help of BTCV - which site developments: Sheffield Canoe Club, exception of the Div 1 slalom held in Apnl will make life a lot easier both for specta• Leeds Canoe Club, West Yorkshire Canoe - but Charges a fee which includes the tors and canoeists. This project has been Club, The Y&H Regional Slalom Commit• water release charges and apportioned brought forward as the wet summer has tee, the National Wild-Water Racing cost of the lease to clubs or organisations made the footpath particularly muddy and Committee,· The Sports Council and the who wish to run an event on the river. Two slippery. The foundations to the toilets Mike Jones Committee. years ago a lease was signed between the have been laid and the water has been BCU and Water Authority granting the connected to the mains by the water Donations should please be sent to: c/ BCU - through the Washburn Committee authority, but now the work has had to stop o Hugh Pashley, 10 Crawshaw Grove, - a designated number of water release as the committee does not have enough Sheffield S8 7EB. Cheques made dates. This in itself Is a tremendous boost money to complete the toilet block. payable to The Washburn Committee SLALOM Magazine 13

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It gave me great pleasure when I was asked to write this article about Shaun Pearce, Britain's most recent World Slalom Championship winner. Those of you who know Shaun now may not be familiar with his rapid rise to the top level of slalom canoe• ing, certainly newcomers to our sport wdl not know how quickly, ·r although not easily, success has been achieved by Shaun. I Hopefully the following profile will give everyone an insight into how a World Champion achieves their position.

Bob Tilling

ife for Shaun began on 13th December 1969 when he L became an early Christmas present for Dave and Jenny Pearce Canoeing hit the family during 1980 when Shaun was introduced to Newbury Canoe Club by a school friend At this point Shaun was still only eleven years old, yet he was already showing sporting promise at school in games such as rugby.

After a couple of months paddling with the Newbury Canoe Club Shaun's parents bought him his first boat, a bright green Dave Butt Meteor. This boat helped gain Shaun both his one star and two star BCU cernficates and at the same time he also became interested in Slalom paddling.

Slalom training at Newbury was led by myself and Clive Williams Several youngsters came along, including Shaun. as well as the club's regular slalom paddlers. Coaching was provided from the river bank by parents and Dave Pearce was to become a great asset to the club In this activity. Shaun Pearce - Number One in the World Tryweryn Premier Photo: Robin Vowles By the end of 1982 Shaun had progressed The early months of 1984 saw Shaun During 1985 Shaun's ranking went from 1 to Divrsion 3 and he had purchased his training very hard and working as a great 62 to 40th 1n Premier and he also won a first real competitive slalom boat. The team with his father who spent many long place on the Junior training squad which 1983 season was spent in Division 3 hours working with and timing, him. The helped him immensely, although his father without making much progress by Shaun's effort paid off as at the first D1v2 of the was still his main motivator and trainer. standards. however he did manage to win season, Shepperton, he was promoted to the British Schools Championships at Div 1 . Excellent results at Div 1 events Early 1986 saw him decide to give up on Farrnilee in the U'l 4 Mens Kl class. The during that year gained Shaun promotion the outdoor pursuits college course that British Schools win in mid summer gave to Premier and he was still only 15 years he had started the previous year, so that him an extra degree of motivation towards old. Other achievements during 1984 were he could train twice a day and during the 1st U16, British Schools Champs, 3rd at training and he was seen out on the river bitterly cold January that year an amusing much more often, resulting in promotion the British Open and winner of the 'Best incident occurred with the local constab• Newcomer to Division One' award. to Div 2 at the end of the season. ulary. A worried woman walking her dog SLALOM Magazine 1 5 the making of a Champion

had alerted the police to his presence on Early m 1990 Shaun and long time girl was 12th with a time of 150 seconds plus the water and an officer insisted that that friend Christine decided to move to 10 penalties. On his second run he went he get off and stop "messing about" in a Nottingham to further Shaun's canoeing 7 seconds faster and had a clear run to canoe. His intention to have a word with career, with Christine working for a build• improve hrs best total to 143. He was Shaun's parents for "letting a young lad go ing company and Shaun working part-time leading after all the group one and two canoeing ,n such cold condrtrons" was for Concept. At the same time most of the paddlers had taken their second runs and changed as he was enveloped in a cloud Senior Squad members were moving to he then had an agonising 1 ½ hour wait of steam as Shaun peeled off hrs cag; an the same area and a centre of excellence whilst the group 3 paddlers took their appreciated, if rrusdirected, concern for built up Being based in such an area paid second runs, as they were going at three someone just as happy on the country's off handsomely for Shaun, starting with a minute intervals for the television roughest water as on his flat water training win at the first Premier event at Holme cameras. However, no-one beat Shaun's site! The year-end saw him 20th in Premier Pierrepont. They changed their address total and he became World Mens K1 and with wms at the U 18 National during the year, moving m with the Slalom Champion - and the youngest ever Chemptonshrps and the U 18 British Haspms, and Shaun went to work for Julie to win the event. still being 21 years old Schools Charnpronshrps. Devlin at Current Trends. who kindly lets The surprise win caused problems for the him have weekends off. A chance to television cornoanvs who had not filmed Shaun's attitude to canoeing became even the World Cup races in America Shaun's runs, so they were rushing around more determined during 1 986 and he was resulted in him winning the first race, at to borrow anyone's video that included highly motivated and self critical; attitudes Wausau, a superb achievement and he footage of the winning run. On Shaun's sk1llfully channelled by Dave Pearce into also perfected his skills at reverse charge arrival back home m Newbury there was wmnmg aggression. The first major calls to his parents and Christine! one of the biggest street parties even seen achievement of 1987 was selection for the here - with Newbury Canoe Club buying Junior Pre-Worlds in Seu de L'Urqell and the Champagne' T awards the end of 1990 home season the European Junior Championships m Shaun needed to beat both Ian and Andy Sprttal. His tremendous win at the Pre• At this pomt it 1s appropriate to thank the Worlds surprised Shaun more than others Raspin at the British Open at Llangollen to become National Champion. After first people, on Shaun's behalf, who have and he was even more surprised by the runs he was trailing the Raspms but helped him with this expensive sport They welcome home party upon his return. On superb control allowed him to improve his are; Dave and Jenny Pearce, Newbury the domestic scene hrs ranking improved second run by five seconds, winning the Canoe Club, Newbury Cameras, Chris to 8th and he had completed his last year event and making him National Champion Berry and Canoe Sport. the Sports Council as a junior. The increasing expense of (both National and Regional}, Palm, travelling necessitated hrs getting a job in Jenny Pearce was in tears on Llangollen bridge after hrs wmrunq run and I have Nomad, Ouantel, Concept, Perception, the local Sony Warehouse as hrs sponsor• Wild Water and any other person or ship only covered equipment. never seen Dave Pearce look so proud. Undoubtedly Hugh Mantle has been of company that I have madvertentlv great assistance to Shaun, as he has omitted. 1988 saw the start of his invaluable coached him during his time in Notting• sponsorship deal with Ouantel Ltd., a ham and has tackled Shaun's mental Shaun's future also looks bright, both on locally based high-tech computer 1mag1ng preparation and approach to important and off the water. He 1s still 1n contention company specialising in TV broadcasting events, thus enabling him to have confi• to retain his National title as well as gaining graphic equipment. (This support will dence in himself and perform reliably on selection to the Olympic team. OH the continue until the 1992 Olympics) During hrs second run 1f the first goes wrong. He water, he and Christine have purchased this season he attained a place 1n the now knows that he 1s good enough to win their own home m Nottingham, moving in Senior Intermediate T earn and, at his and that he only needs to perform well August when Dave has finished the senior International debut at l.tpno in enough on the day This relaxed attitude decorating. They are due to be married on Czechoslovakia, a bronze medal. Unfor• has helped Shaun tremendously and is a Saturday, September 14th in Newbury, tunately the 1988 home season proved not great credit to Hugh's knowledge of tram• followed by Judging at Cardington on the to show the progress that everyone had mg techniques. Sunday! There are also the remaining come to expect and his ranking slipped World Cup races for Shaun 1n America and back to 9th from the previous years 8th. To many this may have looked like Shaun's Canada, as well as several trips planned to However, far from giving up and letting the 1992 Olympic venue at Seu de ultimate run and his best year but the trip Ouantel down, he redoubled his efforts l.'Urqell. Shaun's ambition 1s to retain his to the 1991 World Championships had a and added weights. running and rso• UK title and to win a medal at the 1992 surprise in store for everyone. Shaun kineucs to his increased canoe training Olympics and I also know that he would travelled to Tacen m Yugoslavia ten days schedule. Dave Pearce continued with his dearly like to win the Pool Slalom, an event before the event. followed by his father a invaluable help and an unexpected ally, the he has never won, although he came a few days later; Dino the Doberman stayed family pet - a Doberman called Dino, who close second this year. always went to training sessions. If any at home. The paddlers are seeded into paddler stopped training Dino went crazy three groups at Worlds events- the elite 1n and if they didn't restart promptly he would group three, including Richard Fox and That concludes an insight into our current leap from the bank on the back deck of Melvyn Jones; the hopefuls in group two, UK and World Champion and shows how their boat - a great encouragement to including Shaun and Ian Raspin and the rapidly you can reach the top if you have intensive training! The net result of all this rest 1n group one. Group one goes ftrst and the determination and are prepared to do effort was to increase Shaun's 1989 group three last, with only group three the work. placing to 6th and gain him a place in the being filmed by the various television Senior Winter Training Squad. companies present. After first runs Shaun Bob Tilling 16 SLALOM Magazine National U 14 and U 16 Championships

National U14 and U 16 Championships Cardington, 27th May 1991

V1k1ng Kayak Club did the countries up and coming Juniors proud yet again with another superb event at Cardington Artificral Slalom course near Bedford.

The adjusteble nature to the rocks confiqurauon enabled Viking to produce another tight and testing course. Safe, well• achievable for the younger paddler, yet with good quality technical moves throughout the course requiring a high level of skill to do well, not Just strength and speed. The range of times In each class showed this clear runs at a premium and a few surprises for those who skimped on their race prepara• tion and attention to detail. Britain's

friendliest U14 and U16 Winners Photo: Robin Vowles mail order In the U14 Kl Men, Alex Burt of beat - a good U14 and U16 Warrington took a commanding double In successive years. 7 seconds lead on his first run which although attacked well by C 1 s provided a spectacular company James Whittemore of Llangollen event, with a comfortable 5 on his 2nd run. was good enough second margin for Stuart to give Alex the 11tle by 1 /2 McIntosh from Capital We can supply you second Sports, Chris Barrett 2nd and a 3rd place for Neil Buckley Kath P1gdon in the Ul 4 Ladies of (Llangollen) to add to his with the !i~h~ Bridgend looked In a strong bronze m the Kl event. positron after 1st runs, but faded to improve on 2nd runs when Claire Fox recovered from a canoeing pro uct Anita Bennett of Harlow put in clear. but slow first run to such a good time that. even with snatch the Ladies Kl U 16 title at the right price a penalty, left her 2 second clear from Diane Woods who lead and gave her the title. after 1 st runs and had to be sausfred with a comfortable The U 16 K1 Mens event was a 2nd place - a double for Claire hotly contested affair with fierce who was last years U14 competition between last years Ladies Champion. U 14 Champion Steven Flower (BADCC), Premier U 16 paddler A quality course, tough and Stuart Bowman (Leicester) and committed paddling from the a good number of Div 1 paddlers competitors (helped, no on their tales. Danny Corner of doubt. by the excellent V1k1ng food tent!) and a memorably Hemel Hempstead lead the field wet, but triumphant prize after 1st runs, but a very good giving. Congratulations to the second run by Steven Flower organisers on such a good was too much for the rest to range and quality of prizes. SLALOM Magazine 17 Regional Roundup

+ 15 = 200.44. In the team events Nicola Biggs, Bridget Thomas and Elizabeth Vowles took the Silver Medal. W1th1n about 20 minutes of the team events prize giving took place and within seconds the crowds disap- peared Being as It was all finished by 2.30 pm. we had plenty of time to spare so we went to the other side of the course and inspected the replica of the Augsburg course the East Germans built eighteen months before the 1972 Elizababeth Vowles and James Croft - both Medal Winners in Europe Photo: Robin Vowles Munich Olympics, and as James had been competing in the German most people know the East Germans took Eastern Region Premier race he would have finished 15th all the Gold Medals. It was sure a pity to and first in the Junior event. see a facility just gone rotting away. May 2nd the Eastern Region Slalom Team were off on their travels this time to the old Sunday and to the International The previ• Now for the Iourney home. As soon as we Eastern German town of Zwickau, home ous evening they announced the event got on the motorway network out of the of the Trabanc car. After a trouble free would start one hour earlier so that they Eastern part of Germany we realised why Journey through Belgium and Germany we could all get home at a decent time - I can everyone wanted to go home early. It was arrived at the old East German check point. Just see the uproar 1f this happened in the solid traffic - cars were even turning off on looking sinister although now deserted, U.K At the team managers meeting the to the ad1oining fields and disappearing and then the roads got worse and worse. organiser announced that Saturdays into the sunset' Eventually we arrived Eventually we arrived at Zwickau and after course would remain as they did not have back at Zeebrugge to catch our ferry back queuing for petrol (no shortage of petrol - the time or labour to spare to alter It. We to Felixstowe after all having a thoroughly Just garages that sell 1tl and driving around protested and not only would we all help enjoyable five days. Thanks must go to Zwrckau more times than I care to with the course we also produced a plan Stopsley Motor Company, P & 0 European remember we found the course. of the middle section which would siqmf• Ferries and Slalom Sports for all the help icantlv make a difference with hrtle effort. and assistance given. The next few minutes were hectic as After lots of shouting in languages that boats were quickly unloaded and a look at none of us understood the Chief Judge the water. Alex Pope shrugged his shoul• looked me straight in the eye and said all July 20th Cardington: Inter- ders saying this looks tame ! 11 ! within the team managers had unanimously Regional Championships. seconds Alex was on the water and after agreed with us and suggested we got on This was the third Inter-regional charnpi• posing was well and truly stuck in the with the Job. Steve Bushnell rushed out. onships to be held at Cardington and this stopper! Pete Bell made the comment its got all the lads and lasses working and was extremely well attended. Justin never easy until you know you can do it - I within minutes the course was altered and Barnes drove down from Nottingham to think Alex now agrees. everyone was happy. design the course with a few experiments which worked out superbly. Thanks Justin, Saturday dawned and to the competition The competition was fast and furious. and everybody thoroughly eruoved it. this was a German Premier race but they James Croft again produced the best laid on a special competition for us to take result for us finishing 8th with a clear run On the day he competition was fierce, but part in; James Croft won this with 147.86 and a time of 149.90 (winning a trophy as friendly, with an entertaining slalom sprint clear with Adam White second 158. 76 the Top Guest Paddler!. Our next best on the Saturday, plus team events, On the clear and Ian Bridges third 155.23 + 5 = result was Ian Bridges who finished with Sunday the real business began and after 160-23 Pete Bell in C1 was fourth 160.23 a 158.96 clear. In the C1 event Pete Bell a really good day's competition the Clubs clear with our top lady being Bridget finished 5th with a 158.23 clear, and in the selected to represent the Eastern Region Thomas 8th 176.65 + 10 = 186.65. If Ladies Nicola Biggs was 9th with a 185.44 at The Talisman Inter-Clubs were first 18 SLALOM Magazine

Olney Slalom Paddlers 27 points. Baldock no more bogs or buckets or endless we have almost forgotten what home and District Canoe Club 43 points. The queues for the super loo only to find out 1t looks like! However, we are having a great other places were Joint third Viking Kayak has packed up or you have run out of 2ps time and have attended some really good Club and Stevenage Canoe Club with 48 for one pee. slaloms and a few really beaut ones, points. Fifth Heme! Hempstead with 54 notably Llangollen CC. Mile End MIii points. Sixth Luton Tigers with 60, and So 1f your Club is competing come and Division 3, Llangollen Drvision 3 and also seventh place went to Harlow Slalom support them or just come along and have the Cardington Orv 4/5 with the National Canoe Club represented entirely by the a great time and a pint or two see you Championships. This was an excellent three Bennetts 75 points. there I weekend as usual, very well run, can't be faulted - keep it up, J1m1 Grandtully 2/3 Members of the Eastern Region Slalom Jim Croft, Organiser was its usual chaotic timing and weather T earn that had been set to go to Czechos• but we love the place, although we were lovakia at the end of August had to work very upset about Spencer Price having his at this event as It was a fund raIsIng South West Report new spray-deck stolen. It was a set up but exercise towards the team. First please note that the selection for the they got away wrth It - rts a shame when Inter-Regional In October at Llangollen will a rotten apple gets In the barrel. Thanks go to everyone concerned, too take place at the Holme Pierrepont Div 1 many to name with fear of mIssmg on September 28/29. If you are not Div 1 Our local club. Wyedean have been doing somebody out. and wish to be considered send ,n Judges well. Iona Price now divisron 1 - still a entry to the organiser. Secondly the selec• Novice in March 19901 Her brother Jim Croft tion for the Crystal palace Pool Slalom is Spencer also doing well and Adam Wool Eastern Region Slalom Representative being held on Dec 7th at F1llwood Baths, now C1 and Div 4 at hrs first event Bob Bristol s even 1f you think that you won't Hall selected for the U16's, Claire Daniels The National lnterclub make the team do come along as It Is a fun for the U21 and England. Slalom Championships mini-slalom with prizes for all divrsions We really do appreciated all the Organisers are being held again at Cardington Just and the hard work that they do and know East of Bedford and being Sponsored by The Inter Club event In September at that every slalom cannot be perfect. Charles Wells Ltd. a local Brewery under Cardington will be represented by Bristol Without you all we would not eruov life half their Talisman Low Alcohol lager Banner. C.C and Wyedean C.C.; it's always a great event so come and cheer your teams on! as much - keep It up and thanks a lot' 1 For those attending the Event a new Danny Daniels feature will be flush toilets yes flush toilets It Is now halt way through the season and

Shaun Pearce - Winner of the World Championships Training at Seo Photo: C John Macleod SLALOM Magazine 19

""ou All canoes and equipment ~ ° I 0 I I "le""~ » are available from your « 4 ~~~ •1 ~ 0 nearest canoe retailer J~' ~,i, O ~ c.. '"". c.la • -.J':) C ~ D) 0~ 3':)N3Q \ ~ ~'i,"1-- = ..._ ~.. "o~ - a: ~ alll a..~"C l:t s: CD C ~e en (") l> ~; m0 , C ~~ e~ 0 • Arrowcraft Marine Ltd la. ~ ~ P.O. Box 15 ~--• m Memo., of .,,,. '< c la. ai -'be~ Cannock Gu,ld of Muttr D) Ct•tum•n -" I 0::s • Staffs

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Telephone: 0902 634567

West Midlands canoe Cenb'e · . 112 Newhall Street, Willenhall, West. Midlands 'NV13 ·1 LQ 20 SLALOM Magazine Tacen World Championships 1991

We had two similar reports The K1 M event was Just on the Worlds. but from amazing with the Yugoslavia differing view points. first paddler Strukel - favourite of from a spectator and the home crowd forging into secondly from the Olympic the lead almost at the end of first runs and seemingly Te arn Manager. We felt impossible to beat. Shaun both to be of interest, so Pearce was in Group 2 (as here they are-ED reserve Brit) and had gone A COMPLETE SERVICE FOR THE CANOEIST down in the middle of the ..;;., he course was about group. His approach was A BCU APPROVED COURSE ADJACENT TO THE 350m in length on the immaculate but his second run SLALOM COURSE AT HOLME PIERREPONT Tnver Sava at T acen in was superb. We then had to Slovenia. The mainly artrftcral 1 wait for 1 /2 hours for all the channel at the side of the wide 'big boys' to go down with Fox river had quite an mtrmrdatmq making a mistake at gate 13 • SLALOM SCHOOL & 25 foot (3ml drop seconds (the same unlucky number as after the start and the organ• at the Bourg Worlds) and not SLALOM CLINIC isers had had major problems recovering. Ian Raspm did controlling the water. This was extremely well until the last largely controlled by the event gate, which he appeared to although surging caused forget and had to go back for • COMPLETE TRAINING fluctuating of 12 inches (300 Splits showed that otherwise mm) at some gates. he would probably have been PACKAGES & close to Shaun. Steaming hot and humid weather with bnlhant sunshine The atmosphere was electric INDIVIDUAL TUITION drew a crowd of around 2000 when Strukel did his second the first day, increasing to 4000 run down the course. with and 5000 on subsequent days tremendous support from the with many families with young crowd, but once again the • RUN & COACHED by children In is almost unbeliev• Yugoslavs failed to get a win at able that three days after the home and had to be sausfied event independence was with second place. This was Leading Slalom declared and although there perhaps the most exciting was considerable tension in unexpected win since Albert Coaches the area this did not affect the Kerr won at the Spittal World World Championships. Champs m 1977. After the race Shaun showed himself to be as The majority of Judging was confident off the water as on in • COURSES FOR done on the far bank away and he was totally at home with from the spectators with the international press. PADDLERS FROM section Judges working 6 hours A great deal of atmosphere at without a break - quite a few NOVICE TO DIV 1 the event and also an indirect crossed legs before the end of warning, we are up against top the day! Our judge was Roger organisation from opposing Annan and Albert Woods was countries like the French and ALSO Chief Official in his capacity as Germans and we must be right Chairman of the ICF Slalom on top of everything to stand up and White Water Committee to it. We had some very good • CAFETERIA FREE CAR PARK and Peter Horster of Germany results but there are still several as Chief Judge. holes to be filled, and the • FREE SHOWERS & CHANGING ROOMS already great pressure Is only The British T earn was we\l going to get greater. • FACILITIES FOR MEETINGS supported from their hotel 11/2 miles from the site with Doctor A Rover AND ORGANISED COURSES Jane Wilson, Team Physio Tim Deykin, three mangers, four coaches, video operators etc., n 1990 the Team went to the Send S.A.E. for details or phone:• etc. - a lot of the professional Pre-Worlds at Tacen and CURRENT TRENDS help being funded. The team I were in no doubt that there ADBOLTON LANE, WESTBRIDGEFORD event was more reminiscent of was a lot of work to do by a Premier event with many both the organisers and the NOITINGHAM HG2 SAS supporters and parents in T earn to get things right. Even evidence. by this May the organisation Telephone: 0602-818844 SLALOM Magazine 21

had not managed to get the water right. In encouraged paddlers to Just get a head m proved to be top rate with nearly 80% of particular the second hole still proved to be on 17 and the judging was to suffer as a competition runs up until the end of July a safety hazard despite modifrcauon A result. Replies to judging inquiries making the top third as compared with squad training trip had to be diverted to reminded us that all of the head and part approximately 50% last year. Augsburg as the nver levels in T acen were. of the boat must be on the gate line at the proving too much to control. The only real same time and 1t was going to prove diffi• John Macleod feedback on what was happening was cult for paddlers to guarantee making this from Gareth Marriott travelling with Ian obvious. No video replay can be consi• Results Wiley from Ireland who both had attended dered so it's analysing the moment that K1M a test event at the end of April. Informa• counts. The race was run in very hot 1 Shaun Pearce GBR 143.65 tion from Richard Fox who arrived early conditions. One clean run in the Ladies 2 Maqan Strukeh YUG 1464 proved reassuring. At least some of the and use M1cheler winning with ten penal• 3 Martin Hemmer GER 147.51 uncertainty was dissolved. ties indicates the technical difficulttes that 16 Melvyn Jones GBR 150.69+5 there were on the course. Our Ladies 21 Richard Fox GBR 153.4d+5 However, when we arrived with a low river results were off the pace with Karen Like 27 Ian Raspin GBR 162.71 level and timetabled training in blocks we our best, coming in at 17th Rachel Fox were to be- faced with vanauons in water looked to be storming but In an early Kll levels on the course that were to prove grouping with Just a minute between 1 Elisabeth M1cheler GER 171.08 very annoying. The lack of control the paddlers she had to have the previous 2 Dana Chladek USA 174+10 previous year had been tackled by placing paddler whistled off, yet ignoring it and 3 K Stnepecke GER 180.66+5 a water inflatable bag at the top of the thereby getting well in the way. 1 7 Karen Like GBR 204 19+ 10 sluice controlling the cumecs on the rnrtial 20 Mana Francis GBR 215.57+5 3 metre drop. Any excess water went The Cl son the same day proved to be an 36 Rachel Fox GBR 180 25+ 120 over the main weir. A control system excellent race for us, Gareth setting us off 46 Joan Jayes GBR 247 37+ 140 linked to river levels and levels on the in the first runs with a second placing course varied the size of the bag. We behind Jon Lugbill. Mark Delaney C1 assume that they had had this In operation deserved an excellent 9th placing and 1 Martin Lang GER 155.19 but It did not work at all well. Gareth was finally pushed into 10th 2 Adam Clawson USA 164.26 (fastest time of the day) with Bill Horsman 3 Jacky Avril FRA 16127+5 It was not until practice that the bag gaining the third place on Olympic qualifi• 9 Mark Delany GBR 169.17+5 worked and by that time everybody was cation at 15th. There was no looking back 10 Gareth Marriott GBR 154.2+20 quite SUSPICIOUS of its value A faulty on last year for Bill - all the Winter's work 15 B,II Horsman GBR 172.97+10 electrical component proved to be the was paying off. D1sapo1nting not to have a cause of the problems and having been medal perhaps, but some of our best C2 replaced It proved to be an excellent result ever with all threel boats in the top 1 Ad,sson/Forgues FRA 169 79+5 method of control third. 2 Simek/Rohan TCH 172.99+5 3 Sa1d1/Delrey FRA 162.17+15 The course itself was inevitably going to Once again the C2 was dominated by the 15 Rouch/Ambridge GBR190.64+ 10 contain some areas where the success French and the Germans. Our best result, 20 Richardson/ factor was not always going to be predict• at 15th, was Tony Ambridge and Carl Thompson GBR 230.64+20 able. In 1990 we were very much aware Rouch who showed themselves to be 25 Clogh/Clough GBR 201 .41 +80 that whatever the course It was only really at home on artificial water and very possible to reduce the risk factor, rather confident to go for moves, but still not K1M Team than eliminate It, in planning how to tackle happy with their result. 1 FAA 170.36+5 the race. The course plan came out and It 2 GER 171.23+ 10 was hard to believe that the same area The cream of it all was Shaun. More 3 TCH 168.21+ 15 causing problems last year was to be usually at home with courses where the 5 Fox/Pearce/Jones GBR 170.95+20 utilised again - gate 16. The day spent flat out approach counts he used a without gates and knowing the course strategy of constant control to produce a K1L Team proved helpful but then also restnctrve as clear winning second run 3 seconds ahead 1 FAA 205 56+ 10 there is not much satisfaction in going of Strukelj, A magnificent win and one 2 TCH 226.6+25 where you think the gates might be. that underlines the strength of the 3 USA 247.12+25 With Melvyn at 16th and Richard at 21st 7 Like/Francis/Fox 224.07+ 125 Course up and forerunners gone by Team three more Olympic qualification places Managers and Coaches had the usual few were made. What happened to Richard? C1 Team minutes to correct and yes. you have Gate 16 performed at its worst on his 1 Clawson/Lugbill/ realised by now, they wisely made gate 16 second run and there was no more to be Prentice USA 188.23+ 10 wider - 2 metres. By the time the course done. Our sport can be a case of control• 2 Avril/Brugvin/ erection crew had finished it was a lot ling the uncontrollable and that can be Delemare FAA 178.57+25 wider than this and still it gave grief. tough. 3 Marriott/Delaney/ Another obvious problem, and one not Horsman GBR 204.34+ 15 solved after gate alterations was the Team events were looked forward to but sequence 24/25. With only a wave trough then our only medal came in the Cl where C2Team In which to manoeuvre in fast flowing, a bronze reinforced the quality of the 1 FAA 191.15+20 well-formed water there was a strong results that the boys had produced in the 2 TCH 204.01+20 stagger to negotiate. The particularly individual 'event. The Cl individual 3 USA 2310.98+30 unfortunate thing about this was that it improvements on last year's results have 7 GBR 234.52+ 100 22 SLALOM Magazine Bristol - a great new future?

ristol could become an inter• Development Corporation's new weir plan of visible recreation, a tremendous boost national centre for white water on the Avon by Bathurst Basin, which is for the tourist and associated industries 8 canoeing and other water sports if a now becoming a reality. The Bristol Canoe not to mention the considerable benefit to proposal being put to the Bristol Develop• Club in coruuncuon with the British Canoe the general public of this as a spectator ment Corporation 1s accepted. In a recent Union, the ofhc.al body representing attraction and the development of the area meeting between the Bnt.sh Canoe Union canoeists nationally , have been inves• 1n aesthetic terms Technical Advisory Panel and the Bristol tigating the possibility of linking a Canoe Development Corporation , 1t was found Slalom Course with the B.D C weir International events already have cover• that Bristol has potentially one of the most development age by televrsion so considerable oppor• important sites for building an Inter• tunities would be created for edvertismq national] Slalom Course in the country The benefit of bu1ld1ng such a course 1n the ,nvestments to industry both locally and Quent Nichols, secretary of Bristol Canoe heart of the city would make Bristol a nationally. It 1s very important that Bristol Club quoting from a report said, centre for the sports of white water racing City Council take the opportunity and ' The cornbmatron of discharge and head , slalom , rodeo competition and general develop the site not just for the benefit of make this site of very major importance play boating combined with an excellent canoeists but for the people of Bristol as internationally. Everything that is possible facility for introducing beginners and well. should be done to make the City Author• disadvantaged groups to the sport. This 1n ities aware 1f the extreme value of the turn would ordinarily draw canoeists from For more information contact Quent Site.' the whole of the South West, South Nichols on (0272)792515 (evenings) or Wales, up to the Midlands and as far East Janet Adcock (0272)443925 (daytime). This grows out of the proposed Bristol as London providing a continuous supply

Myriam Jeruslami (Fox) 1st World Cup Race Winner Photo: GDN SLALOM Magazine 23

• !.. -

,. -,.1 -~ ....

Sally Masters Competing in Europe again this year Photo: Pete Astles 24 SLALOM Magazine Letters

with the '92 Grandtully Pan Celtic Cup out there please send us YOUR views roo. liming Credit team . I suggest that the team for that Thanks for rhe question-ED Dear Sir, event could be selected from the results of the English Inter-Regional event at Washburn - the last In a recent issue you reported on the Llangollen in October 1991 . Although this Crystal Palace Pool Slalom 1991 in which would exclude members of the current word was a comment that the event was helped English team who will not be eligible for 'by Tony Arrowsmith's excellent timing'. Regional teams since their individual runs Dear Editor, will be on Sunday - they will have a chance Reading through the last edmon of the Whilst not disputing that the timing was for re-selection in May '92. Having made ever improving Slalom magazine I felt the excellent J would like to put the record these proposals I should be grateful 1f straight The Timekeeper was m fact David sudden urge to put pen to paper. someone would advise me as to which Gravestock, a retired Slalom paddler, who committee has the authority to approve gave his time to learn to use the Omega First I read 'Washburn -a first Visit', the them as official policy. Timing systems and was the Timekeeper moved onto piece by John Gregory; at the last two Crystal Palace Pool Slalom. subject - British University Champion· Don Raspin. ships, Washburn Valley ... l was incensed I Dave has given me terrific support In Tees Kayak Club setting up and running the Sia Soft Timing Both of the above reports pointed unfair Team and, without Dave's hard work and and urqust cnucrsrn at the Washburn support we would never have been able to C2 Help Slalom Site. I feel I must put them straight prov.de the service to Slalom thatwe have on a few points. done over the last three and a half years . Dear Editor, Did You Know the Lease demands that developments to the site have to be I would like to publicly express my thanks My C2 partner and I have recently become earned out within a very strict timetable, to him for all his hard work and support. more enthusiastic and more dedicated this involves vast sums of money all to be Canadian paddlers and I'm concerned paid for by the Clubs wrthm the Yorkshire Yours Sincerely about developing muscle imbalance. - Humberside region? The car parking fee, which Is £2-00 per car per day and not £4- A.G .Arrowsmith I would like to know what the sports as the arncle would have you believe. goes medics have to say on this subject and towards the development of the site. English Team Selection what, if anything can be done to counter• Did You Know. It costs the organising club act It. I'm thinking of taking up C1 - maybe £530-00 per event weekend Just for the water release. I think I am right in saying Dear Editor, I should learn to paddle on the other side 7 What do the experts say? (This would this Is the most expensive in the country. mean starting to learn from scratch ) The car parking fee has to help pay this as Re: English Slalom Team Selection Policy. well Did You Know. The campsite used for As one of several persons who has Perhaps you could get an expert to write for Slalom Mag; explaining which muscles Slalom events in the Washburn Valley Is a expressed concern over recent proce• could potentially become imbalanced, commercially run site and is in not dures for selecting the English Slalom connected to the events - we gain no Team I felt it was about time I put my what effect this can have on the body (including longer term) and what exercises, income from camping. As the valley IS a thoughts on paper. So here goes: I fully water catchment area for the Yorkshire support the policy of having an England if any, are recommended to counteract any developing muscle imbalance. Water Authority, for the time bein(:; team - chiefly because it extends the camping Is not permitted. opportunity for national representation to a wider group of English slalom compet• I think there are a lot of Canadian paddlers I for one, think we are very lucky to have itors For this reason I do not agree with who would hke to know something about the privilege of using such a valuable the practice of selecting members of the this. The paddlers I have spoken to so far resource The Washburn Valley offers a current G.B. team to represent England. don t seem to know anything. However, magnificent venue for a . (S.CA.; W.C.A. and CAN.I. are entitled to they all confirm they are much stronger on make their own policy on this matter.) I one side. Surely the top paddlers have Andrew Fisher. also feel that if the team is to have the been given advice - so there must be some Leeds Canoe Club. status it deserves It should be selected sports med. guru who's clued up on this from the full spectrum of eligible compet• problem. How about it, Ed? The Washburn is indeed a valuable asset itors and not Just from the few who were Yours sincerely, aware., of the registration procedure - m fact almost a fifth of our Div 1 s are held Having stated my convictions I suppose I there. There 1s also no doubt that a great am obliged to put forward an alternative to Margaret J. Bigg. BIGG/BIGG Div 3. deal of effort has been put into it and the the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. cost of running events there is horrendous It would seem sensible that the 1992 (and PS. Slalom Magazine is very good. - around £7 000 including prizes. However subsequent) English teams be selected at perhaps a httle more Northern hospitality the same event(s) as the G.B. teams (not Boy have you opened up a Pandoras Box! and a little less 'John Blunt' would make the Olympic team) and using a compatible There have been numerous opposing paddlers more understanding and appre• ciative-ED selection procedure. Assuming that 1992 views over the years, many controversial. Slalom calender bears some resemblance We will attempt to get as many medical to the 1991 calendar this leaves a problem and coaching opituons as possible for the Letters Published subject to room next issue, so all you C 1 and C2 paddlers and content and may be edited to fit SLALOM Magazine 25

. Gareth Marriott - Winning C1 Pre-Olympics Tryweryn Selection 1991 Photo: GDN

AT THE 1991 SELECTION EVENTS 100% OF THE JUNIOR Kl MEN AND 60% OF THE WOMEN SELECTED, HAVE BEEN COACHED ON OUR COURSES AND CAMPS. WITH ODDS LIKE THIS, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT COACHING YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT MAKE IT. WHY TAKE THE CHANCE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS SLALOM EXPERIENCE FOR AS LITTLE AS £4 PER HOUR 26 SLALOM Magazine Electronic Beam Timing

The below article is the opinion from one were reflecting back from the bottom it was not all down to the concentration of srde of the timing debate. Unfortunately reflector so there was no gap between the indivrduals at start and finish. All a backup the other side. who are going to time the light beams. However setting the beams should be used for Is to ensure the right Olympics, declined to comment officially. up carefully requires two people to be break was allocated to the right paddler This ts a great prty because thetr unotiicte' involved. Unfortunately as I saw at the and that the times are approximately nght. story ts very mterestmg and indicates that Selection Races. this Is very often not so. Perhaps where a backup Is used for a they are not only aware of the problems The lone Te chie who puts the equipment technical failure the paddler concerned but also feel capable of avo,dmg them - out and maintains It almost always has to ought to be asked 1f he accepted It rather ED do It all on his own than have a re-run.

Ever since getting myself into the We became aware that even a 10 inch gap We must either accept that the urrunq is business of timing our sport I have been between the light beams still does not done to the accuracy that our sport, and its concerned with the amount of effort put guarantee that only the body will break the ICF rule, allow, full seconds. Or stop all the into getting the best overall system to beams. Whilst testing with the Omega hassle about timing and accept, as the time slalom paddlers to an accuracy of one Timer and a Computer Timer set up In Timekeeper who set the Europa Cup hundredth of a second parallel we often saw two tenths of a Beams once said to me, that 'we only time second difference between the two. This to hundredths of a second because the Sure the timers. in particular our commer• was caused by the highly sensitive Omega paddlers prefer to be separated on the cial Omega OTR7 timer which Is the same Timer pickmq up a paddle break which the result sheet at the end of the day rather as that used for downhill Skunq, and the Computer did not. The Omega can pick up than be equal'. Perhaps the ICF Slalom and Electronic Beams we use are all up to that breaks as small as 3 rmlhonths of a second Wild Water Committee should be accuracy. However after my recent stint long. We tr,ed adding a delay into the top requested by our governing body to look on the finish at the 1991 Selection Races beam to overcome this and to some extent at this subject and come up with a I am now totally convinced that our sport It helps but drd not eliminate the problem standard that would come between our cannot accurately be timed to an accuracy and often gives problems of missing the 'over the top' approach and the 'clothes of less than + or - two tenth· s of a second. high speed top kayak paddlers crossing the peg· approach of the Belgians. In reality that means we should be timing finish. I was finally convinced that we the events at an accuracy of full seconds should not time to an accuracy of one I am reminded by my colleagues on the Sia hundredth of a second by my experience Soft Timing Team that, of course, there Is The ICF (and UK) rules state: on the finish of this years selection races. a way to time Canoe Slalom accurately · 34.1 The time of a run Is measured from: I kept noticing that the horn went off with Electronic Timing. I had discounted The time that the competitor's body first before the body of the paddler crossed the this way due to the high cost involved and crosses the starting line to the time when line. About 5 percent were seen at the the operational drffrculues. the finish line Is broken by the compet• T ryweryn, where a Transmitter/Receiver The oruv accurate way we have found to itor's body (in C2, the first body that pair were In use The number was more date to time our sport Is t/\G use the crosses the line) In team racing, the time than 5 percent at Holme Pierrepont where 'photo firush' cameras, as used "for spnnt Is measured from the departure of the first a reflector pair had been set up by one timing in athletics, instead of the beams. boat until the arrival of the last boat. person I commented to control when this They are supplied b11y OMEGA Electron• was very obvious and In about half the ics. If we used them then we would The aim then when setting up a pair of cases they had a double break and were require a camera at both Start and Finish to beams Is to ensure that the paddlers body able to agree the correct time against my eliminate the errors described in the is the first thing that breaks both of the backup time (I was fairly consistently a article. It would also require skilled opera• Infra red light beams. Transmitter and tenth of a second ahead of the timer tor's at each location to photograph each receiver pairs of beams can be set up times). However with the others they only competitor as they cross the lines This accurately so that the Infra red beams had one break, probably where the arms would mean manual data entry to the across the river are separate. When two covered the beam from the first break until computers rather than the automatic units that use reflectors to reflect the the body passed, and were unable to system we have today beam back are used this Is more difficult. correct the times. This means that those We also know that whilst It can be very The beams are set approximately 1 O small number of paddlers had up to a two accurate, it would also be very expensive inches apart to try and ensure separation tenths of a second advantage. If a similar to purchase two camera's. The cost of film to sense the body only. This should elimi• error occurred at the start then It would be would also be very high, for the average nate any breaks by the paddle or arms. It Is balanced out. What it does mean is that Division One event over 400 photographs interesting to note that in the other canoe there can be an error of up to 4 tenths of would have to be taken for the mdividuel disciplines of Sprint and Marathon the a second between two paddlers timed event alone. start is timed on the verbal command and with the same equipment. (0.2 seconds the finish Is when the front of the boat added at start for an early break on one It Is not really a viable proposition for our crosses the finish line. Electronic Beams paddler, and 0.2 seconds saved at finish by are not used. sport within the countries. However for another paddler.) Olympic and World Championships it ought to be a basic requirement. After the fiasco of the 1988 Europa Cup This makes a farce of all the activity over where we saw a Canadian paddler, who timing accuracy. In particular it makes a Lets start by removing all the ineffective had obviously been watching the finish mockery of all those who believe that we closely, put his paddle out in front of the rules over timing (UK 34.2 thru UK 34.4.2) can accurately check timing by looking at from our rule book. I would hope to see boat, close to the reflectors, to break the the backups. I did a check after a statis• beam nearly 2 metres early we have taken the Executive recommending this at the tician had told me that 5 percent of all next AGM. great pains to set these beams up backups would be greater than half a properly. In the above case both beams second out. He was nght and now I know Tony Arrowsmith SLALOM Magazine 27

James Roden U16 Champs Cardington Photo: M A Nichols (0785) 840573

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Article based on Roy Bradshaws's has been slow to catch on but 1t 1s slowly turn and expect to be able to practise article with notes by Pete Hanover, rncreasing. There may an argument for without interference from others. One Chair, Development Committee. paddlers to "become veteran" al an earlier advantage of the downturn in Slalom, is age so that they can stay in the Division that now there 1s more time and space to lalom is on the decline. It 1s not that they are at without fear of promotion practice. Attract more into the sport and only noticeable at events, but also and counting only for Veteran Divtsionel this could! deter others, unless some-thing S stausucs confirm this. A report in results. 1s done to the system-Catch 22. Canoe Focus (No 71, page 28) states - "Take up on this year's bibs 1s 25% down Then the 'Judges Competition' was mtro• The orqsrvsetion of slaloms is no worse on the totals stated in the year book, and ducedrt only benefits those who are than in the past. in fact m general 1t 1s very at Div. 4 level, 60% take up 1s the norm." already attending many events, and may much better. A few years ago there were even put off the hard pressed organiser few decent toilets, let alone computerised There 1s not as big a dee/me as 1s made with the additional work entailed. results. Surpnsmgly one difference seems out.; ,n fact petttcipstion this year 1s the to be that few paddlers want to spend as highest since 1988 despite the bad The Off1c1als Competiuon 1s great It takes much time on the water. At Richmond weather al the begmnrng of the year The more than judges to run an event and the Slalom, which had a good entry, the water 1984 Year book had 2576 competitors, the names of helpers m the Tea Tent and was available until 8.30 yet few stayed on 1991, 2546 - not much of a dechne there control are added to the !,st and only one the water and none after 6.00pm. Perhaps - and I think that the standard of compet• emry 1s needed to wtn the Oihciel» draw ttus ,s mamly a problem at events with itor is much higher now At the time of However, there 1s sttll not enough being timed releases, such as Tryweryn or year that the Focus article was pubhshed done to attract these people. as an Washburn, and a large entry due the 60% in Divtstor: 4 is auite usual as many organiser of two slaloms I do not fmd ,r unique nature of the rivers. paddlers do not apply for bibs until later m hard to to add a few names and work out the year as they only compete locally; thus a simple ranking order. The Judges are Poor value for Money. For the average the figures are totally misleading. At higher much better now than 8 or 10 years ago paddler 'Time on the water' 1s of great atvisions although some leave the sport and they are Just as numerous. At the top interest At the introduction of the new others go on to Cl or C2, classes which end of the sport our Section Judges are rules there were many mutterings about are becoming increasmgly strong. amongst the best m the world. Perhaps the reduction in 'On the water time', and one thing that 1s lacking 1s a means of they soon started counting how much per Over the years there have been many rewardmg or at least acknowledging gate second their runs were costing thern attempts at keeping the more experienced Judges who are particularly good However, organisers find running 20 gate paddlers. It seems obvious that we should courses easier, and fewer Judges are try to encourage people, not only to take Already there were signs of a downturn in required, a Catch 22 situation for the up Slalom, but to continue to take part Slalom, so the 'Points System' was intro· Exec after they have reached the peak of their duced with the idea of encouraging ability, and before they are enticed away to paddlers to attend at least 3 events Time on the water 1s draded into two other pastimes. Anyone who has the Regrettably by compelling some it appears types Practice time, which we've covered well-being of the sport at heart wants to to have repelled others, and the result 1s an above, and competition time. Competition see the lessons learnt by those at the top, even greater downturn. time is a ddf,cult one as at the lowest and handed down to those who are striv• levels the newcomers must be allowed, ing to take their place. Also, as not all can This was introduced to try and stop for so that they can handle it, and at the teach, we would hope that those now out paddlers from getting up the rankings highest levels there is also no practice of regular competition would stay on to ass• before they could handle the water and I lime anyway. Generally courses are ist with the general running of events etc. don't belteve that ,r has caused a down designed so that the winning K1 Mens turn. However. I'm more than w1/lmg to time 1s not under 7 60 seconds, itrespec• I think that when a competitor reaches consider any evidence that you have ro the tive of the aiviston or number of gates. what they consider to be their peak they contrary. Obviously number of gates does vary but are std/ young enough to rake up the the upper limn 1s set at 25 by the /CF and challenge of other sports and as they start Why does any paddler give up Slalom? generally courses are close to that. As for at the bottom they again make good Here are a few suggest1ons:- value for money our club have recently progress. Many still stay with their canoe Lack of Incentive Not everyone aspires to taken part in two other ecuviues - skiing club and though they may not compete be a World Champion· Many go to Slaloms on a dry slope (£5 an hour plus hire of skis; they std/ give time to coaching. for the pleasure of being with friends and total £72) and 10 pin bowling (£72.50 for having a sociable weekend away, but with 2 hours + hire of shoes). value for The 'Veterans Division' was introduced the Divisional system as it is, friends soon money? Also many clubs are providing but what did it achieve ? - a few additional get split up, the social aspect goes, and videos, disco or Barbeques. competitors! No additional help, no soon after, so does the paddler. obvious coaching. Worse than this. Expense, not just the entry fees, but also Whereas, before the introduction of the I agree that a social side must be encour• the cost of equipment, and the cost of Veterans Division. enthusiastic parents aged. In any competitive sport one person attending events, particularly if they were were obliged to judge if they wanted to will suceed more than another, they can unable to share travelling expenses with paddle the same water as their offspring, each go to the other, event as a Judge and their friends. now they turn Vet. as soon as they reach it is not usually long before they are both D1v.4 and a useful supply of 1udges is gone competing against one another again. Equipment costs are high and this may forever. Lack of Good Organisation. Not all stop canoeists who have cheaper plastic It does seem that the Veterans Division prospective paddlers are macho, pushy boats from entermg slalom; I hope that we types- Some prefer to wait their orderly can attract the many plastic boats with the SLALOM Magazine 29

High Volume prize class. If not, perhaps enced paddlers could use their knowledge number of paddlers at events over the last we should give a thought to making it into and stamina to hold their own against the three years. However, t paddlers per event its own class, at feast up to Div 3. The cost up & coming young sprinters. Now, for has shown a decrease of 8% since 1988 of attending events is high with the price many, it has become merely a little race, and a 0.14% decrease since last year - of petrol, but there is also a tendency whereas before it was a real trial of ability hardly a mass exodus, but no cause for amongst youngsters to want the latest and paddlers look for a more satisfying complacency. Different D1vis,ons are name equipment when a secondhand boat acnvitv. showing different drop out rates, with Div would do Just as well, and leave them Long courses are a disadvantage to 3 showing the greatest attrition, whereas more money for travel. youngsters, but youngsters are the Ide some are increasing. blood of any sport. Mind you, fewer gates Lack of Anywhere to go. This applies to the don't always mean shorter courses, and Lara Tipper has Just completed her Thesis paddler, more usually those who reach there is Cl and C2 for those wantmg a on slalom partrcipatron which indicates that Premier, (The very ones that we would satisfying new challenge, the main reason for drop out 1s lack of time. hope to coach the newcomers). who not the expense and we hope to cover the become disenchanted with the high That's Just a few reasons I think of why report in more detail 1n a later issue powered atmosphere of this drvrsron. and Slalom 1s on the down turn. no doubt you yet are too good to paddle in a lower have more. When drscussmq the situat,on 1988 1989 1990 1991 division. Catch 22 for the paddler - they with others, it was suggested that we Premier have to give up cornpeution. should have a survey as to why people Participants 783 740 780 737 leave Slalom. and what can be done about Paddlers/event 1 52 148 1 56 14 7 Yes, f agree 1t. So lets have it. Wnte to the magazine Division 1 and the Slalom Exec. with your ideas Parucipants 1038 1074 838 1101 Lack of Time. not Just to tram, but the Roy Bradshaw Paddlers/event 173 179 167 183 inability to allocate specrtrc weekends , in Division 2 both of these instances work schedules A very comprehensive survey has been Participants 1008 749 972 1044 and possibly family matters are beginning done by Lara Tipper and many questions Paddlers/event 112 107 108 116 to put constraints upon paddlers have been answered A great deaf 1s bemg Division 3 done to advance the sport and the picture Partrcipants 918 1040 740 781 Lack of time is a meiot reason for feavmg 1s far from doom and gloom ff you wish to Paddlers/event 102 104 7 4 71 the sport. One way around this would be offer your services to help constructively Division 4 for one day events ,n afl divisions This please let me know. Partrcrpants 1486 1405 1426 1505 would mean more work for organ,sers and Pete Hanover Paddlers/event 55 48 49 43 perhaps droppmg the team events Division 5 Increased numbers of double events on How large is the dropout from slalom Part.cipants 1 567 1 503 1649 1595 one weekend would also lessen the really? 1f you believe (or even readl Canoe Paddlers/event 63 52 53 46 number of weekends away. Focus you could be forgiven for thinking All Divisions that very few took part in our comoeuuve Part1c1pants 6800 6511 6402 6577 Low Paddler Satisfaction. The old 30 gate sport. If you look at the facts you soon see Paddlersevent 109 5 106.3 101-2 101 courses certainly sorted out the men from that the so-called decline 1s m fact an The figures above are based up to the the boys, and more experi- increase in total 9th of July in each of the years-ED

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