AKC Seaton Slalom - Cancelled for 2016

[Seedy Paddler]

Ladies & Gents

To highlight that due to circumstances outwith our control and to ensure the safety of participants, officials and spectators we (Aberdeen Kayak Club) are seeking to re-schedule the Seaton Div 3-4 slalom from 21-22 May to a date in September to be confirmed.

In essence this decision has been introduced due to recent information and activity in the Park:
• We have been advised that an undercut tree following the winter storms is ”hung” (i.e. resting on a tree on the opposite bank) and hence advised as dangerous. We are progressing discussions with relevant authorities to expedite removal. However not an easy task as the tree is substantial in subsiding ground and overhangs the water, so subject to significant HSE requirements.
• The Council have recently commenced some engineering work in the Park (including upgrade and extension of paths and drainage, landscaping of wet lands to reclaim pitches and establish a water feature). These works are within the area we run the slalom and hence we have open excavations, soil spoil heaps along with construction materials and plant stored adjacent to the slalom site. Whilst we have been offered access the constraints we would require to impose will impact on the ability to run a successful slalom.

We are in discussion with other slaloms scheduled for the proposed revised date and will discuss further with the local authorities prior to confirming re-schedule. We will also review our current Event plans and risk assessment to include for any impact through change of date, we note that there is an alternative event also scheduled in the Park for that weekend. However we are already in contact with the organiser and both parties believe that events may run simultaneously albeit still subject to Local Authority approval.

Regards

Craig Douglas

[JimW]

I'm sorry to read that Craig, I had heard that you have some not insignificant problems to address with flood damage.

Hang on to my entry for now - I am away most of September but no point withdrawing it until you have a new date confirmed, unless I get promoted before then of course.

Jim
Div 3 C1M Bib 2

[Seedy Paddler]

Please note that we have rescheduled the races to 10th and 11th September other details remain the same.

We still have an issue with a "hung tree" over the channel but not only is it proving fairly stable we are in discussion with Local Authorities on remedial works prior to the slalom.

[Seedy Paddler]

After due thought, discussion and review of site conditions Aberdeen Kayak Club have taken the reluctant decision to cancel the Seaton Park Slalom for 2016. Considerable effort has been extended in seeking to progress various works and a requirement to involve local authority support. We did finally manage to get the dangerous “hung” tree(s) removed from the water channel earlier this week. However in doing so further damage has impacted the lines and egress landing stage.

It is also noted that the park side bank is significantly overgrown, the presence of “invasive plant species” obviates the previous practise of bank strimming and with significant growth we have difficult site lines close to the rivers edge to add to a crumbling and in places overhung soft bank. Whilst we can continue to use as a paddling Club it does impact on our safety assessments and with the potential for significant numbers bankside, spectators, safety, officials and competitors we do not believe it practical to provide resolution and mitigation in the short timeframe to the planned event.

Further we note that we continue with our efforts (currently in late design clarification stages) to develop the site and we must also be conscious of the more medium and longer term requirements to support and expedite that. This includes requirements to mitigate the “invasive plant growth” around the site. We believe that there are benefits to missing this years event in order to ensure that we have better and improved facilities to keep future events sustainable and protect the long term development of the sport.

This coupled with an absence of any advance entries has lead to our decision to cancel this years event, we have submitted application to continue the event in 2017 (reverting to a May date). Whilst regrettable we are sure that you will view Safety and the longer term sustainability of the sport to be appropriate causal factors to support our decision.

Craig Douglas