Paddle UK is partnering with 17 clubs to help promote the delivery of the Slalom Start recruitment campaign.
Along with receiving Paddle UK banners, flutter flags and branded Slalom Start T-shirts, clubs can apply for a coach development bursary to help fund the cost of volunteers’ coaching qualifications.
This has been strengthened thanks to the generous support offered through the Slalom Committee, who have agreed to cover the cost of the discipline specific training and assessment costs of the awards.
Daniel Thompson, Slalom Foundations and Support Lead, said:
“Supporting the recruitment of new participants and volunteers into the sport is a key element of how we are supporting slalom development.
“It’s fantastic to see such a wide spread of clubs from across the UK willing to support the delivery of Slalom Start during the year.
“We are really looking forward to 2025 seeing an influx of new paddlers coming into the sport as a result.”
Any club can access the digital toolkit online by visiting the Slalom Start tab here >>
The comprehensive Slalom Start toolkit is designed to support paddler recruitment within clubs to increase the number of children and young people engaged in canoe slalom across the UK.
To search for a Slalom Start session near you please use the Paddle UK events finder page and search ‘Competition’ and ‘Slalom/Kayak Cross’.
Stafford & Stone Canoe Club are one of a number of clubs who have run Slalom Start sessions this year.
Steve Dixon, Coaching Officer at Stafford & Stone CC, said:
“At the beginning of the Easter holidays with thanks to a large number of junior paddlers and parent volunteers Stafford & Stone CC ran the first week of the club’s Slalom Start taster sessions to 53 children aged 7-13 years old.
“The weekend was a fun experience for all participants.
“It was highly motivating seeing lots of happy faces on the water beginning their first paddling sessions in a slalom boat.”
