Low Brace (.com)

Thre has been great interest in this event from young people all over the London and South East Region.  Entry for this event is now closed. 30 young people representing 8 clubs at the Rodeo.

Due to the high number of male entrants to this event, there will be two male categories.

Junior Male 10-14
Senior Male 15-18

Due to low female participants there will be a generic female category.


All participants will be given 15-20 minutes at 2pm to warm up and get a feel for the course.  If participants would like to run the course at this stage please feel free but please do bare in mind that they should be accompanied by a confident paddler/coach (we will be unable to monitor everyone on the course at once).  Leaside will be providing rescue at the freestyle hole at the bottom of the course. 


For the male juniors, The freestyle judging will take place on the bottom hole of the Legacy Loop at 2.20pm.   During this time paddlers will not be allowed on the legacy loop.   Junior Freestyle will operate from 2.20pm-3.00pm

For the Females, the freestyle comp will take place on the bottom hole of the legacy Loop at 3pm. During this time paddlers will not be allowed on the legacy loop.   Female Freestyle will operate from 3.00-3.10pm

For the male Seniors, The freestyle judging will take place on the top hole of the straight section on the Legacy Loop at 3.10pm.   During this time paddlers will not be allowed on the legacy loop above the comp, however if coaches want to use section below they can do providing they supply their own safety cover.   Senior Freestyle will operate from 3.10-3.50pm

The legacy Loop will be open for a last 10 min run to everyone.  It would be a great photo opportunity if everyone was to run the course at this stage. 

4pm-pumps off.  Awards in front of main reception of Whitewater centre.

The Freestyle Comp will operate in a rotating/que system in the eddie by the wave.  Kayakers will be allowed to enter as many times as they want in time allocated provided they que up in the eddie after washing off the wave. 
Kayakers will only be allowed a maximum of 60 seconds (not 90 as previously advertised) on the wave on any attempt.  You will be told to get off the wave by official if you exceed this time.  This is to prevent wave hogging. 

Kayakers will gain points for every entry into the wave with a max of 3 scores allowed for a specific move, i.e if a kayaker dose a paddle spin 4 times over the time allocated, they will only gain points for the first 3 attempts. 
The number of points for each move will be displayed on day of event. 

Registration.
All kayakers must sign in on the day of the event.  A registration table will be set up outside by the lake between 12.45-1.30pm.  Please don’t go into main reception as they will be busy. 

Parking at Lee Valley Whitewater Centre
Please note that Saturdays are very busy times at the centre.  If you are not competing or dropping equipment please use first car park on the left as you enter the grounds and walk across the course. 
There is a specific drop off point at the centre for people and equipment.  This is not a car parking space! 

Weather
This Saturday promises to be a bright cool (5 degrees) dry day with slight winds.  I would ask that everyone coming dress’s appropriately to the conditions.  If you are competing please remember it is Jan and the water is still cold.  If you are coming to watch, it will be cool along by the river so please dress warmly. 

Food and Drink
Lee Valley Whitewater Centre has a Starbucks on site but often closes around 2pm.  They make great hot chocolates.  I would suggest if you’re taking part in the comp to please come with a good Lunch in you and a hot drink ready for the swims. 

Changing Rooms
Lee Valley Whitewater Centre has changing rooms available.  They do provide lockers but these are often full.  I would suggest leaving a change of clothes in the car.  Do not walk into changing rooms by the main reception in your kayaking gear!

The emphasis is on having FUN! We wanted to create an event where young people can get together and have a laugh.  Too much energy is put into getting results out of young people and not enough on just having a good time.  Let’s all pull together this Saturday and create an atmosphere we can be proud off.  

I want to thank everyone who has volunteered their time and help in getting this going.  I would also like to thank Lee Valley Whitewater Centre and Brookbank Canoes for helping us stage this event. 



Regards
Bryan Fennell
Chief Instructor
Leaside Educational Trust