Canoe Slalom
From strokes and techniques, to equipment and lessons, here's how you can get a piece of one of the coolest paddlesports on the planet.
If you caught any of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and are feeling inspired, here's everything you need to know about getting involved in the sport, with tips from 2016 Olympic K1 champion Joe Clarke, his coach, Mark Ratcliffe, and slalom C1 world champion Mallory Franklin.
What is canoe slalom?
Canoe slalom involves paddling as fast as you can along a stretch of water (up to 300m long), passing through numbered gates (two hanging poles) as you navigate the course. You can either choose to canoe alone (C1), kayak alone (K1) or canoe with a partner (C2).
Gates can be placed upstream or downstream and must be completed in the right order and direction. Penalties are added if you miss a gate, touch one, or go through in the wrong direction. Courses are graded in terms of difficulty, from Division 4 (beginners) to Division 1. Competitors complete two runs each. The best run counts.
Originally modelled on ski slalom, the sport started out in Switzerland in the 1930s. The first Slalom World Championships were held in Geneva (1949) and, by 1992, canoe slalom had become a regular Olympic event.
What experience do you need to get started?
“A bit of swimming competency is all you need,” says Joe. “You don’t need to be a great swimmer – I’m not one myself! But it’s important to feel OK with your head under the water, and not be afraid. Basically, you need to be fine with getting wet – and that’s about it.” Joe's coach, Mark Ratcliffe, agrees: “At first, the main thing is to have a 'go for it' attitude and to feel happy on and in the water.”
Should I learn to canoe on flat water first?
“Yes – when anyone starts canoeing they begin on the flat water,” Mallory explains. “The aim is to become proficient before progressing to white water and gates.”
“Most people start learning in a kayak, rather than a canoe,” adds Joe. “A kayak is more stable and comfortable, as you sit down rather than kneel, so it’s better for beginners. You can then try C1 [single canoe] and, from there, it’s a matter of preference.”
How fit do you need to be?
“Perhaps the best thing about getting into this sport is that you don’t need to be super fit. Anyone can give it a go, whether you’re sporty or not – you see all types and fitness levels having a go,” says Joe.
Once you start progressing to competitive canoeing you’ll need to build up your fitness and stamina. Mark explains: “The more you want to progress, the more the physical side is needed – strong arms, shoulders and core are really important in controlling the boat. A race run lasts for about 100 seconds, repeatedly moving and changing direction all the time, so power and endurance are crucial.”
What are the basics that beginners need to learn?
“Canoe slalom usually starts by getting in a canoe and having fun on flat water,” says Mark. As a beginner, you’ll learn how to go forwards, backwards and turn. “You can then progress to gates on flat water, as well as learning how to lean and balance the boat in the current. In the early stages, it’s also good to learn how to eskimo roll – this will give you more confidence and less fear when progressing.”
Soon, you’ll build up a repertoire of strokes and techniques, like how to 'ferry glide' across the current and 'break in' or turn into the flow to go downstream. “Once you’ve mastered these basics you’ll learn to sit in 'stoppers' [water features which stop or hold the boat]. This requires a lot of balance and confidence using the edges of the boat, similar to how a skier would use edges against the snow. The better you become, the more you can surf waves and use the water features to your advantage.”
To find out more about slalom techniques and stokes, check out the Canoe Slalom Technique Library.
What equipment do you need?
Beginners use the same basic equipment as advanced paddlers: a boat, paddle, helmet and buoyancy aid, plus a cagdeck to keep you dry and stop water getting into the boat. “At most watersports centres, this equipment is provided for beginners,” says Mallory. “When you get hooked, you can purchase your own.”
“It’s very much the sort of sport where people hire everything,” adds Joe. “Just turn up in clothes that you don’t mind getting wet, and the rest can be hired for a small fee at most centres. You can buy a second hand paddle, helmet and buoyancy aid for around £100 [around €110/US$130] all in, and it’s not until you start competing or doing it really regularly that you might decide to buy your own canoe.”
Basic kit list:
- Canoe or kayak
- Paddle
- Cagdeck
- Buoyancy aid
- Helmet
