Freestyle is a form of ‘stunt’ canoeing where points are awarded for boat movement in the vertical or horizontal plane, relative to the wave, with a separate score awarded for overall style and variety in the run. Some white water courses and weirs provide the necessary depth of water to allow the boats to be submerged to execute quality movements.
The BCU facility development objectives for Freestyle are:
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Secure more access to white water suitable for Freestyle recreation, training and competition.
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Develop a hierarchy of facilities to allow the development of personal skills and the development of excellence.
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Establish a National Freestyle Centre.
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Secure artificial Freestyle features where natural white water is deficient.
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Develop a national standard white water facility to serve the London, South East and Southern Regions.
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Freestyle Facility Framework
The facility needs of Freestyle have been identified as comprising:
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National centre, based at Boulter’s Weir, Maidenhead.
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A spread of performance and development centres of at least one centre per region.
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Secure dedicated "pourover" features to suitable weirs and in stream structures of at least one per region.
Current deficiencies to be overcome:
National Centre, Boulter’s Weir, Maidenhead
Weir redesign to allow portage
Removal of obstructions
Freestyle office needed on site
Judging and coaching platforms
Performance and Development Centres;
Teeside
Deepen Freestyle features
Relocate and install pumps
Holme Pierrepont
Encourage club on-site and programme elite use
River Washburn, Harrogate
Redesign 2nd Weir
Remodify River Bed
Upgrade facilities
Extend hours of use
Linton Locks, York
Build Facilities
Deficiencies in All regions.