Dates confirmed for the 2018 Slalom and Wildwater National Championships
Following discussions with Canoeing Victoria, Australian Canoeing is pleased to confirm that the 2018 Wildwater National Championships will be held in conjunction with the 2018 Slalom National Championships on the Goulburn River, at Eildon VIC between 4 – 12 January 2018. The schedule of the events will be confirmed as soon as possible. The Wildwater National Championships will encompass all age categories being Junior, U23, Senior and Masters.
Australian Canoeing seeks to maximise the likelihood that selection of the 2018 Wildwater Senior Team takes place in suitable conditions. A number of alternatives have been explored on the basis that the conditions at Eildon may not be suitable. Obviously it is impossible to predict which rivers will have good water flow in January.
A selection event is being scheduled to take place in Victoria immediately following the 2018 Slalom/Wildwater Championships, provisionally on Sunday 14th January. The venue for the selection event will be confirmed shortly. This selection event will only be held if the likely conditions are deemed to be more suitable than those during the National Championships. A final decision as to whether this selection event proceeds will be made during the 2018 National Championships by the Selectors.
“We have looked at a range of options. In the interests of developing the discipline, we are keen to see all those with an interest in Wildwater paddling racing at the same event,” explained Phil Jones, CEO of Australian Canoeing. “However we recognise that the National Championships may not offer appropriate conditions from which to select a team to attend the World Championships.”
“We are very conscious of the costs involved for athletes and their families. We have considered options in other states but wish to avoid the need for people to travel twice. I hope the athletes involved will support this approach and get behind the event.”
Entries will be opened for the National Championships in the coming weeks.
Please note dates and locations are all subject to the availability of water.
