Our Slalom programmes create a pathway for young paddlers from Wales to be the best that they can be in slalom and kayak cross. Whether they make it to the Olympics and race for team GB or not they will make friends and develop skills for life. They will get used to making decisions under pressure, know how to perform at their best and deal with uncontrollable elements. Our programmes support young athletes all the way from beginner to competing internationally as an athlete.
Choose which programme is right for you...
The Paddle Cymru Slalom Performance and Talent Pathway is divided into a tiered, progressive squad structure with three clearly defined levels, each with its own defined qualification criteria and capacity.
Regional Development Programmes
Aims to support athletes across the whole of Wales by breaking Wales down geographically into three regions: North, South and West Wales. This provides coaching on a local basis with one weekly mid-week training session and one weekend training camp per month. Each region supports up to 12 athletes at this level. The focus of these Regional Development squads is to develop the paddlers up to the point where they are competent and robust in training and able to confidently train at white-water sites as used on the Talent programme. This programme is specifically aimed to prioritise younger athletes due to the time required to gain all the skills to be successful and progress along the pathway and onto the Talent and Performance Squads.
Age Range: J10-J15
Ability Level: Division 3 to Division 1
Numbers on Squad: Up to 12 athletes (per region)
National Talent Programme
Aims to support promising athletes on a national programme, with mid-week training support and access to training camps across the best slalom sites in the UK at weekends and in school holidays. It will support the best athletes in Wales within each class for the age ranges from J12 through to J16. Up to 12 athletes can be selected for this programme from across all three regions. The focus is to prepare athletes to make the step up to the Performance Squad by supporting them to qualify for the Premier Division before the age of J16 and tracking in line with ranking trajectory and key performance indicators.
Age Range: J12-J16
Ability Level: Division 2 to Division 1
Numbers on Squad: Up to 12 athletes
National Performance Programme
Aims to support the most capable athletes on a National Programme, with mid-week training support and access to training camps across the UK at weekends and in school holidays. Training is more individualised, focussed and periodised around key British Selection races. The priority is around preparing the Juniors and U23 athletes to qualify onto the GB teams and to make Junior and U23 World Championship and European finals.
Age range: Best Welsh athletes at Junior and U23 in their age classes, eligible from British Selection Races
Ability Level: Division 1 to Premier
Numbers on Squads: Up to 12 athletes
If you have any questions about any of the Slalom Programmes, please contact Sid Sinfield (Performance Manager) at sid.sinfield@paddlecymru.org.uk
For full details of the Paddle Cymru Performance and Talent Pathway, the Selection Policy for the Slalom Programmes can be found on the link below.
See the Code of Conduct that athletes on the Canoe Slalom Performance and Talent pathway are expected to uphold.
Important information - Please read before applying..
Applications are now OPEN for the Canoe Wales Performance and Talent Slalom Pathway. It is strongly advised you read the above Selection policy, Athlete Code of Conduct and the Squad Dates, before starting the application Process.
Applications close at 5pm on Tues 08 October 2024.
Squads will be announced on the Mon 14th October and the first Camp of the Winter will then be on the
2nd - 3rd November.
