The first paddling event for 2022 gets underway this weekend with athletes of all ages competing at the 2022 Canoe Slalom Age Championships in Eildon, Victoria from 7 – 9 January.
The Goulburn river will host athletes from as young as the under-12s category right through to paddlers over the age of 70 in both canoe and kayak events.
As individual paddlers go head-to-head across varying age groups, so do schools and clubs in the team events.
Chair of the Paddle Victoria Canoe Slalom Technical Committee (VSTC), Event Organiser and paddling competitor himself, Chris Renting, said it’s exciting to bring Australia’s Canoe Slalom community back together this weekend.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to hold this event after so many events have been cancelled and impacted over the past couple of years,” said Renting.
“It’s great for the Slalom community to come back together again with the Age Championships bringing the youngest and oldest paddlers together for healthy competition and development opportunities over the weekend.
“This event attracts paddlers from all demographics. There will be some elite athletes here, but there will also be a wide range of experience levels as the focus of the event is to give all paddlers the opportunity to compete against their peers and deliver their best.
“I know for me personally, I am looking forward to the opportunity to race a challenging course together with the competitors from my age group, many who I have known and paddled with for many years.”
Athletes will compete across the following Slalom classes over the weekend: K1M, K1W, C1M, C1W, C2M, C2W, and C2Mx.
All paddlers will have an opportunity for practice runs and demonstrations on Friday with qualification and Age Group Championships run on Saturday 8 January. A and B Finals and Team events will be run on Sunday, however the schedule and program of available classes is subject to change and more information is available HERE.
This competition is only possible with the commitment of many volunteers and the cooperation of canoeing clubs, schools, the VSTC, Outdoor Education Group (OEG), Murrindindi Shire Council, the Murray Goulburn Water Authority and the State Government of Victoria.
