Slalom

Slalom UK website Explains all you need to know about slalom in the UK.
Typicall event format is to have practice and then there are two timed runs. The best one counts. There are time penalties for hitting posts (2 seconds) or missing gates (50 seconds). The courses seem to take under 3 minutes to complete but it is a high adrenaline sprint through the gates. Performed on moving water it's great skill training for river running. The beginners events have gentle currents while the premier events have seriously violent water!
See Slalom Technique for online video coaching K1, C1 and C2. See Helen Reeves guide to slalom from the Olympics here and Campbell Walsh gives his top tips on slalom kayaking here.

Orton Mere Winter Series 23rd November and 7th December
Slalom for all ages and divisions, enter on the day, with prizes for all age groups/divisions. Round the season off in a sociable style at this fun, friendly slalom. Robin might go to the first one but has Stour Descent for the second.
e-mail information available: slalom@proteuscc.co.uk    Course Guide     Host Club: Proteus CC

Season over. Robin ended up (unofficially as yet) 33rd in Div 3 - out of 188.

Stone Slalom 12 Oct: Robin drove up to Stone for their slalom and with a new improved mental approach put in a performance he was really pleased with (Slasher's training really helping him on the fitness front). He also borrowed new design Galasport demo boat which he felt gave additional help.
Course Guide     Host Club: Stafford and Stone CC

Shepperton Slalom 20 Sept: Robin did another poor performance, but if you don't compete you don't get better.
Course Guide      Host Club: Shepperton Slalom CC

Cardington Slalom 6 Sept: least said soonest mended, a lackluster performance by Robin.    Course Guide

Harefield Slalom 26/27 July: John Bennett judged Saturday, Robin paddled both days (the winning vet in his division on each), Erika tried a C2 with Robin on Sunday. Andy Bell competed on Sunday. Two other brothers from HHCC competed on Saturday and various spectators from HHCC turned out too. The weather was great and so was the paddling - thanks to Nicky Cresser (the organiser) and all his helpers! See picture library here.      Course Guide

Orton Mere Slalom 12 July: Without John B to mentor him Robin arrived late and didn't have time to learn the course. He got a bit lost on the first run and missed a gate, then on the second he had a borrowed new design Galasport demo boat which made him 30 seconds faster but he started too fast and careered into gate two before gate one getting another missed gate penalty. However despite the penalties Robin came second and was promoted.
See picture gallery here (thank you to Stuart Kerr for great pictures - including the mink!)   Plus Press Release here.     Course Guide     Host Club: Proteus CC

Shepperton Slalom 28 June: John Bennett (Judge) and Robin (Div 4) went. A great day out, lovely weather and venue plus a well organised event (with good food). Robin says he was the first veteran in his div (but ask him how many others there were). And, yes, he is considering getting his number on his upturned hull - good thing he has a solid roll!
See picture gallery here (a big thank you to Stuart Kerr for great pictures!)
Course Guide      Host Club: Shepperton Slalom CC

 

River Loddon Slalom - 5th May, organised by Reading CC. Team HHCC comprised coaches John Bennett and Robin Oakley with James and Marc (from the Monday night training). John Bennett, pictured left, judging.
See picture gallery here and press release here.
James Cooper won Div 4 and Marc Best came 4th, both got moved up to the next division. Robin came 7th but was the only one to have no penalties. John who'd coached the team, came as a Judge (and they get to paddle as well), and he showed us how it was done in his C1. Plus he gets a huge thank you for all his encouragement and driving: thanks John!    
Course Guide      Host Club: Reading CC

Cool Blue Canoes Suppliers of the excellent Galasport slalom kayaks and canoes and polo kayaks too.