Canoe slalom is an exciting and challenging paddlesport combining speed, precision and boat-handling skills. Whether you are new to the sport or looking to improve your competitive performance, Kingston Kayak Club can help you get involved.
Get involved in canoe slalom
Slalom Representative: Andy Davies
Email: slalom@kkc.org.uk
Training: Tuesday evenings, 6:30pm, at the Albert Avenue Lido.
Our training sessions are open to club members who are comfortable wearing a spraydeck and have started learning the bow rudder or bow draw stroke.
If you are unsure whether you are ready, speak to Andy Davies or Dave Rawding.
What is canoe slalom?
Canoe slalom involves navigating a course of gates as quickly and accurately as possible. The gates are formed by pairs of poles suspended above the water and must be negotiated in numerical order.
- Green and white gates must be negotiated downstream.
- Red and white gates must be negotiated upstream.
- Touching a gate adds a 2-second penalty.
- Missing or incorrectly negotiating a gate generally results in a 50-second penalty.
At many domestic competitions paddlers complete two runs, with their fastest counting towards their result. Competition formats can vary depending on the event.
Training at Kingston Kayak Club
We run regular canoe slalom training sessions on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm on the Albert Avenue Lido.
Sessions focus on improving boat control, negotiating slalom gates, developing paddling technique and building fitness. Training is tailored to paddlers’ experience and ability, with opportunities to progress towards competition.
Skills and technique
Learn and develop the strokes and boat-handling skills needed to negotiate slalom gates efficiently, including upstream turns, crossing flows and maintaining speed through a course.
Fitness and competition
Build the strength, stamina and confidence needed for racing. We also support paddlers attending suitable competitions, from introductory races through to more challenging events.
The Club has a fleet of performance slalom kayaks available for members to use at training sessions and competitions. Sessions can be booked through the Club’s normal booking system.
Getting into competition
Canoe slalom competitions take place across the UK throughout the year, with events suitable for everyone from complete beginners to experienced competitors.
From 2027, UK canoe slalom competitions use a tier-based system. Events are classified by the difficulty of the water and course, rather than by the competitors’ ranking divisions.
Taster and Green — Novice
Introductory and more accessible events, particularly suitable for newcomers and paddlers building their confidence and racing experience.
Blue and Red — Advancing
Progressively more challenging courses for paddlers with greater experience and developing moving-water skills.
Black and Diamond — Expert
Demanding courses for experienced competitors with the skills to paddle more challenging white water.
Under this system, paddlers can choose events appropriate to their skills and experience without being limited by their ranking division. Course suitability and personal safety still matter: ask a coach for guidance before entering unfamiliar water.
Ranking divisions remain — Premier, Divisions 1, 2 and 3, and Veterans — but they are used for rankings and progression, not to restrict which tier a paddler may enter. Performance-based ranking points take account of a competitor’s time relative to the winner and the event’s tier.
New competitors will generally find a Taster or Green Tier event a good place to begin. Our coaches can help you choose an appropriate event and prepare for your first race.
Competitions include men’s and women’s kayak (K1), canoe singles (C1) and canoe doubles (C2), with age-group categories and prizes at many events. Kayak cross also offers additional competition opportunities.
For full details of the new structure, read the official 2027 UK Canoe Slalom overview.
Your first competition
We’ll help you get started
We encourage members to try entry-level slalom competitions. They are a fantastic opportunity to develop confidence, experience different water and meet paddlers from other clubs.
Speak to Andy Davies or Dave Rawding if you would like to attend an event. We can help you identify a suitable competition and arrange club equipment where available.
As paddlers progress, we also encourage them to develop the ability to transport their own equipment. Please ask a coach if you need advice or assistance.
Dave, Dan & Rupert Rawding at Oughtibridge Slalom 2025
Events, rules and rankings
The UK Canoe Slalom website provides information about upcoming competitions, national rankings, age categories, rules and race results.
UK Canoe Slalom website 2027 competition structure
Interested in giving slalom a go?
Whether you want to improve your paddling technique, develop your fitness or have a go at racing, we would be delighted to help you get started.
Contact Andy Davies, Slalom Representative, to find out more about training, competitions and equipment.
Email the Slalom Representative
For the latest competition arrangements, check the official UK Canoe Slalom website. Event tiers and rules may be updated by the sport’s governing bodies.