An account of their Year in Slalom, written by Russell Cathcart...
My brother Graeme and I started slalom kayaking just over a year ago, with the help of Federico and Davie. After the pool sessions at the Citadel finished for the summer, we took to the river Doon, where we learned basic safety and all the necessary techniques to paddle competitively and confidently at the section near the Rugby Club.
Later, we bought an old fibreglass slalom boat from Conrad through the club, and in June 2008 we had our first event. Alva, near Stirling, was the location.
Both Graeme and myself paddled using the things we had learned from our coaches, and ended up winning the first day to be promoted from Division 4 to Div 3. The river was by no means much of a challenge to new paddlers, but it was a lot of fun, lots of young people, and a great competition.
A few weeks later, we went to Fairnilee, near Peebles. It was fairly terrifying at first to be honest, but we had a great time and although we weren’t maybe quite as successful as we had been at Alva, the learning experience was tremendous. There we also acquired a second old kayak for Graeme.Our training continued all summer long, and we had another visit to both Fairnilee and Alva again, doing ever better yet.
During the October holidays, we went to Grandtully, on the river Tay. The river was fairly high and it was by far the most challenging slalom had been to me at that point. There were a few swims, unfortunately not by choice, but by the end we all came away having learned new things about the river and new techniques to make use of in future.This year we have already entered into 2 races, with a 3rd and a 4th entry in the diary coming within two weeks. In May we were up in Aberdeen at Seaton Park, where we had a ball.
Having been to places like Grandtully, Fairnilee and even the Rugby Club, the river was in no way frightening, but the presentation of the course made things fairly challenging, and showed that it pays to remember that even if it’s easy for you, it’s probably just as easy for everyone else! Graeme and I also entered a special, one-off event in a Topo-Duo. It’s fair to say we were, in fact, horrific at it, but it was great fun and we even ended up being placed second behind 2 Division 1 paddlers, even if we were the only people to end up crossing the finish line backwards!
2 weeks ago we were back at Fairnilee with Davie and Federico, this time in our new modern kayak, the Nomad Nutron. I led the race after the first run on Sunday, but ended up placing 3rd, which is by no means an upsetting position to finish.Still to come, back at Fairnilee next weekend (13th/14th June) and then at Alva the weekend after (20th/21st June).
If you think this sounds like your cup of tea, so to speak, or you just want to come along and have a look, and maybe give it a bash, let us know. My mobile number (hope I don’t regret this!) is 07547309972. We’re usually out a few nights of the week and if you’re interested then we’d really love to help out.
Slalom kayaking is really the best, it’s great for families, especially younger folk, but really is open to any age! It’s a great way of meeting new people, making new friends and a fantastic way of learning to paddle white water in safety, it builds confidence, but most importantly, to me, it’s just about having a lot of fun and doing something I love competently!
