What is Slalom Canoeing, and Why is it Great for Kids?

Young children should have the opportunity to try lots of sports and hobbies. It will help them decide which they favour, which they don’t have an interest in, and which they want to pursue. It will also help you see what they may have an underlying natural ability for, with the potential to progress to a level they are comfortable with.

If your child loves the water and needs speed, it might be worth checking out slalom canoeing. It's not always an obvious choice, but it's a great one. To find out whether there is a club near you, visit Paddle UK, the governing body; their website can provide a lot of information about the sport.

So, if you’re interested, read on to find out what the sport involves and why it’s great for your kids.

What is slalom canoeing?

Slalom canoeing, previously known as whitewater slalom, is a fast-paced sport seen at the Olympics. It originated in Switzerland as an alternative to skiing once the snow and ice started to melt and cascade from the mountains. 

The aim of the sport is to manoeuvre yourself as quickly as you can down a section, often around 300m, of water rapids as quickly as possible. Athletes will start at the top at a large set of gates, and then along the way, they must go through a series of numbered gates; most are downstream; however, a proportion of them are upstream. This means the canoeist must paddle against the water flow to reach the gate before heading back downstream to the next. The downstream gates are often placed in difficult-to-reach areas or on opposite sides of the course to add an extra challenge. 

The winners are the athletes who can make it to the end of the course in the quickest time, taking into account any penalties they have incurred for either missing a gate, knocking the canoe into the gate or going the wrong way through one.

Why is it great for kids?

Great for health and fitness

For a child, practising slalom canoeing once or twice a week will improve their physical fitness and strength exponentially, and to succeed on a downhill course, they must have great fitness levels. They’ll also gain excellent arm, shoulder and core strength. Otherwise, it simply won't be possible, and the fitter they are, the better they’ll be able to perform.

It’s social

Any club your child attends where they’re mixing with others is terrific for socialising and making new friends outside the comfort of their school. Meeting new people and finding common ground is an excellent skill and will help them build self-confidence.

It’s exhilarating

Some children love the buzz of adrenaline racing through their veins, and if you have such a child, this is perfect. It’s quick, and they must respond quickly to unpredictable waters. It’ll have their pulse racing in a safe and supportive environment.

Photo by eMiL rAjAn