Northampton Canoe & Kayak Club Slaloms
Tuesday 17th September
Please note that we are experiencing intermittent problems with one of the pumps!
Occasionally one pump shuts itself down. It needs to "rest" for about 5 minutes before it will restart. Once restarted it takes around 20 minutes for the water levels to settle again.
Our experience so far is that it might happen once or twice during a day's paddling. We are aware that the evidence is sparse at the moment.
However, one day last week the pump did not resume at full output, resulting in a significantly lower water level for the following periods. We *think* this might be due to trying to restart it too soon.
With the possibilities of delays, we are restricting the entry to 90 each day, and do not expect to take entries on the day. This should ensure that journeys home are not going to be much later than planned, but we can't guarantee that.
Finally it might be that the pump does not produce full output after restarting. In this case, the water level is too low for the competition to continue. There is a significant risk of damage to the sterns of boats at two places on the course, and the flow of the water is sufficiently different to require gates to be adjusted, and in some cases moved.
We have considered whether it would be better to cancel, and will make a final decision on that before the weekend of Sept 21st in the light of what happens during the week.
General Information
The slaloms take place at the Nene Whitewater Centre, Bedford Road, Northampton, NN4 7AA.
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Grid Ref SP775596
The division 4 event is on the weir pool between the weir and the road bridge, while the Division 2/3 event is on the whitewater course.
There is ample parking, free to competitors and supporters.
There are changing rooms and toilets in the Centre building, also free to use.
There is a cafe serving breakfasts, drinks and snacks, open until 4pm each day.
The organiser can be contacted by slalom@nckc.org.uk
The process for moving up the slalom divisions from division 4 has changed for 2024.
download Division 4 races and Starting Slalom - 2024 changes
Division 4 27-apr-2024 to 28-apr-2024
The results are here
Division 2/3 30-aug-2024 to 1-oct-2024
The start information is here
Canoeing and Kayaking are "Assumed Risk" - "Water Contact" sports that may
carry attendant risks. Participants should be aware of and accept these
risks, and be responsible for their own action and involvement.