Image: Graphic Design logo of slalom academy.

OVERVIEW

The Canoe Slalom Academy is a Canoeing Ireland National program with the main aim of providing the opportunity for young paddlers to train in Canoe Slalom in Ireland and provide the necessary opportunities for them to develop their own paddling skills allowing them to reach whatever level of competition or training they would like to.

A key part of the Slalom Academy is to provide an appropriate learning environment for young paddlers to progress their slalom skills and develop their Slalom Training and Racing knowledge, aiming to provide a fun environment to challenge their skills. It is hoped that through engagement with the Academy young paddlers will develop a range of skills to benefit their development both on and off the water.

OUTCOMES

1.

Increase in participation and retention of young paddlers in canoe slalom.

2.

Increase in the number of local/regional training and competition opportunities.

3.

Enhance the provision of canoe slalom coaching in Ireland, focusing on coach development.

4.

Create further opportunities for young paddlers to progress (camps, events, international competitions) via a national programme.

Image: Graphic Design Outline of Ireland with four yellow canoes pinned at various locations on the map of Ireland.

LOCATIONS

The Canoe Slalom Academy operates from several key locations currently established in Leinster, Munster and Connacht. Each location offers the ideal environment for canoe slalom development, including training gates and moving water suitable for all levels of paddlers within the Academy. Paddlers can attend coached sessions twice a week at these locations. As the Academy grows we will be supporting more clubs and locations to join the Academy, if your club is interested in getting involved in the Academy please contact us. For more information on getting involved hit the ‘Sign up’ button below, or contact us at SLAinfo@canoe.ie.

The plan is to further develop the Slalom Academy structure nationally with a focus on clubs and regional hubs getting involved while establishing a centralised national programme. If your club is interested in getting involved in the Canoe Slalom Academy please contact us.

ACADEMY GROUPS

NOVICE GROUP

All paddlers begin in the novice group, only attending the coached sessions with their group until they are at an appropriate standard to move on to the Intermediate group. This move is at the discretion of each training groups coach, who will have the best understanding of how they are progressing as a paddler both on and off the water.

INTERMEDIATE GROUP

Those who have been regularly attending Academy training sessions and have shown an improvement are eligible to progress to the intermediate group. Criteria such as the paddlers’ ability and knowledge of canoe slalom, and their ability to complete self-directed training will be considered.

ADVANCED GROUP

Paddlers in the advanced group show consistent improvement in their racing with performances being measured qualitatively and quantitatively. Discussions with all involved (paddler, parents, group coach & academy coordinator) are taken into consideration for progression to the advanced group. Find more information on how progression will be assessed here.

ACADEMY PADDLERS

Academy Paddlers are those who are not training weekly with an Academy training group but want to be involved with the national structure. This group is to facilitate paddlers which may not be near any of our training groups. Those in this group will be able to attend the National Camps and Training days the day before race days. They will also be eligible for international Academy camps and races if they’re at a competent level and subject to selection for racing camps. They are welcome to join weekly training session with the other groups if and when it suits them logistically (for instance, during school holidays when there’s more time in their own personal schedule)

TRAINING CAMPS

National Training Camps/Days

Open to all Advanced and Intermediate members of the Slalom Academy, paddlers from the novice group may be invited under the discretion of each group coach provided they have the competency to train on the level of water where the camp will be taking place. These camps are hosted with clubs around the country. In recognition of this, the contribution for participation in the Academy is €5 for members of the hosting club and €10 for non-members.

International Training Camps

When possible, there will be at least one international training camp during the summer that will coincide with a race for paddlers to compete at. These paddlers will be assessed by the Canoeing Ireland assessment panel, based on evidence of their racing and progression over the previous few months. The panel will investigate competency and ability from a developmental and safety perspective. There may be additional international training camps during the year without a race to compete at, where more Academy paddlers may be eligible to attend.

SIGN UP

If you are a paddler, coach, volunteer or parent who would like to receive email updates about the Canoe Slalom Academy please fill out the form below. Signing up to Academy communications will keep you informed of all upcoming Academy activities and announcements –

CODE OF CONDUCT

The code of conduct is used to promote fair play, ensure safety, preserve the spirit of the game, foster respect, set expectations for behaviour and protect the sport’s reputation. Our codes of conduct outline expected behaviours for paddler, coaches and parents, helping maintain a positive and respectful environment for all involved.

Paddlers Code of Conduct

Parents Code of Conduct

Coaches Code of Conduct

RESOURCES

Slalom Academy Overview

Percentages and Assessment

Canoeing Ireland Assessment Panel

CONTACT

For any queries relating to the Canoe Slalom Academy please contact us here –