Scottish Canoe Slalom seems to have been getting attention recently with some concerns and issues being aired for public discussion. It has lead to some strange public proclamations from the SCA Board and it has been noted that paddlers are resigning from the Performance Programme. Not surprisingly I have heard some concerns from our Southern peers expressing concern with the potential negativity for the sport.
So I thought we should publicise some of the positive work that is also going on. Most should have returned or shortly to return from a fairly busy early summer. Slalom Development camps have been organised and run to assist in paddler development. In the order of 20-30 paddlers have benefitted from various coaching and development camps spread across 4 venues and 3 weeks in early July. From the 20+ paddlers that attended the initial “Early Development” camp based at St Pierre de Bouef Followed by 7 paddlers attending an Intemediate camp based at L’Argentiere la Bessee and circa 13 paddlers at a simultaneous Advance camp based at Borug St Maurice. All supported by parents and voluntary coaches, paddlers were encouraged to develop into more difficult water in warm Alpine sunshine (well at least some of the time – at least Alpine rainfall is warmer than the Scots variant). Two weeks of training topped off with a team of 15 paddlers heading onto compete at the opening ECA Junior Series races at Solkan. Justly rewarded with podium finishes with Gold (C1WJ18) and Silver (C1WJ16).
This venture was coordinated and established by parental volunteers and was open to all Scottish based slalom paddlers. The trips were run as family based ventures and in many cases were rolled into family holidays with a week paddling followed by an alternative plan for the following week. Parents and siblings were encouraged to get involved with water based activities including hot dogging in St Pierre and a raft trip down the sunshine run of the Durance. Whilst the young paddlers were pushed to gain more experience and develop their capability. This included additional training and assessment for those at L’Argentiere with the BCU 3 Star WW award.
The vast majority was undertaken as self-financing although we are very grateful for the financial support provided by SCOTS which allowed some assistance to support the voluntary coaches with their expenses and for water fees and entries.
All was undertaken without recourse to SCA central support, SCA Performance support or from public funding or subsidy. A clear indication that grass roots Scottish canoe slalom remains alive and vibrant. These development camps have a long history and were in part the basis for the development of current and past leading Team GB paddlers and International Champions. Whilst SCA Executive and Performance wish to follow their paymasters their role will remain marginal in a true membership based organisation. However whilst we have the depth and support of motivated and enthusiastic volunteers and a strong group of youngsters, the future for Scottish slalom continues to have a viable and sustainable basis for ongoing and future athlete development.