A Canoe England initiative designed to develop and widen the pathways into our Olympic Discipline events.
Canoe 2012 Events are aimed at those already involved in Paddlesport who would not normally have the opportunity to try the Olympic disciplines of sprint and slalom. The initiative will be reaching out to clubs, centres and paddlers from across the community providing local, accessible events tailored to the needs of the participants, providing something for everyone. These events could also be used to attract more women & girls, canoe classes, crew boats and paddlers with disabilities.
Who are Canoe 2012 Events aimed at?
The initiative is aimed at both adults and juniors who wish to develop their skills in a friendly yet competitive environment whether they are a paddler, coach or volunteer helper. We would recommend paddlers be at least BCU Paddlepower Passport or 1 Star standard and that coaches are a minimum of BCU level 2 and above or level 1 under guidance of a level 2 or above-depending on the environment and nature of the event. Volunteer helpers are highly valued and any support that can be provided to ensure the smooth operation of the event is welcomed. Training can be provided and the rewards include learning new skills, making new friends and enjoying a healthy activity.
The Race Course
The Canoe 2012 Events should be tailored to suit the local environment as well as the paddler’s needs and ability. Ideally the events would have few ‘rules’ and work on the basic elements of the Olympic race format for each discipline, providing the participants with a ‘taster’ of the real thing.
Canoe 2012 Sprint Events
The sprint events could range from a land based paddling machine event to a water based event. These could take the form of a cross stream challenge, mini time trial or head to head race. The actual length and type of course for the race will be dependent on a number of factors, not least the amount of water available!
Canoe 2012 Slalom Events
The Slalom based events could be run using slalom gates or buoys and the rules altered to include or exclude penalties for touches. The gates could be hung with no maximum height or width and the paddlers would have the opportunity to complete the course any number of times with the best run counting as the final result. These events could be run alongside an existing slalom event or as a standalone event at a local club/ centre.
Team events
A challenge designed for two or more paddlers to compete together over the same course. Age group, gender and boat class may be mixed to meet needs.
Equipment
Any type of boat can be used- Canoe or Kayak, single or double. You do not need any specialist equipment to get started. Just turn up with the boat you are happy to paddle and you will be made very welcome!
Event Safety
Canoe 2012 Events should be flexible and easy to deliver so check out your standard site risk assessment, and amend accordingly. A warm up and warm down should be completed before and after the race run.
Suggested Age/ Gender Groups
Age Groups for a competition will be based on 1st January and there would be different competitive classes for girls, boys, women and men in the following suggested age groups: Under 8,9,10,11,12,13 and 14, Under 16, Under 18, Under 23 and Under 35. 35+, 40+, 45+, 55+, 60+ and 65+.