Slalom Competition Returns to the River Tyne

Slalom Competitor in Action

Northumberland Sport and Sport England were very happy to support the Tyne Valley Canoe Club is hosting its first slalom for almost 17 years this weekend at Tyne Riverside Country Park, by donating prizes to participants.

The inactivity of competition since 1991 spurred the committee within the TyneValley club to take action. Slalom events in the North have depleted over the years and now the North East region are attempting to address the problem by running introductory level short course events consisting of 12 gates with a simplified but effective method of judging.

Participants on the day found the event challenging with a very tight course demanding speed, skill and manoeuvrability to go through each gate in the correct direction and order cleanly without clipping the gates. The weather played its part in making the course more difficult with strong gusts swinging the gates. The rain stayed off and the water levels were perfect for this level of competition.

Also supporting the event and participating was Vic Brown, the 1984 Olympic Champion.

Event organiser Ray Hudspith was keen to emphasise that this could never have taken place without the most important people - the volunteers who gave up their valuable time to do all the hard work before and after the event. They were each rewarded for their efforts with certificates and a swim bag. Ray who works as a National Development Officer for Canoe England also thanked all the competitors and organisations who supported the event including Northumberland County Council Country Parks section for the use of the building during the event.

Ray said that “the building, park and river is a tremendous asset to Prudhoe and the canoe club and is a fantastic facility for running Paddlesport type events. The park building will be used again next week when many of the Tyne Valley members will attend a first aid course to develop coaches and volunteers and ensure all of its members are safe when participating in club activities.”

Northumberland Sport would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Tyne Valley Canoe Club for recently being awarded Sport England’s Clubmark award and Canoe England’s Top Club award for demonstrating that they are a well managed child friendly safe and equitable club that supports it’s members and other clubs within the region.