M. DAWSON
J. CLARKE
M. SMOLEN
E. FER
C. KUHNLE
M. CHOURRAUT
M. BENUS
F. ANTON
L. BOZIC
K. HOSKOVA
J. FOX
BREZINSKI/BREZINSKI
A. PETERS
V. KHUDZENKA
E. MEDVECKZKY
GRIJIC/NOVAKOVIC
L. QIANG
M. DE JONGE
R. POULSEN
A. CHERVOVA
S. TARNOVSCHI
J. MOCKE
E. LEVEMYR
S. RAFAEL
H. TAKAKU
M. GRAZIANI
J. EGAN
N. LJUBEK
MINDE/HAMAR
PINTA/MOZZICAFI
S. LAMMLER
A. BUSLAIEVA
M. WEGMAN
S. REINOSO“They are loving the sessions!” - Lee Valley Legacy Takes Off
In this video a different (wildwater) legacy session but it shows how much fun these sessions can be. Credit: PinkBoat Productions - Ali & Liz McGreery.
John Gregory | Sportscene - Judging from early feedback the Lee Valley Legacy project experience is really inspiring a next generation of canoe slalom paddlers. The youngsters share the venue with GB Canoeing athletes, who have gone the extra mile to make them welcome.
"I have a young man who is totally blown away by the session and his Coach. Inspired would be an understatement"
"....said this morning it was "brilliant" and didn't stop smiling for hours!"
"He can't wait for next Saturday to get to Lee Valley again!"
Twenty-six young paddlers have now had Canoe Slalom coaching at the Hertfordshire venue, from 14 different clubs. It is the first stage of the sport’s London Olympic Legacy plans organised by GB Canoeing in cooperation with Canoe England, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and local canoe clubs. The project aims to generate interest in Canoe Slalom amongst paddlers, aged nine to 16, and as expected the bulk of numbers has come from local clubs.
“I couldn't have asked for anything better,” said Mike Chandler, lead coach for the first sessions. “I'm not saying we’re going to get an Olympic Champion out of this group of kids, but we have seen many who have real potential for slalom competition. Seven of our regular young paddlers have taken part in the first local Division 3/4 slalom event with their club, with one gaining promotion to Division 3.”
Mike Chandler has been the Lead Coach for the first group of sessions, and clubs are invited to bring their own coaches and helpers to take part and learn from GB Canoeing’s coaches, so there are two ways for clubs to benefit and join in the fun. The surprise has been the number of people also travelling from far afield for this opportunity.
“Etienne Stott took a group in the first session and other GB athletes like Richard Hounslow, Joe Clarke and Tom Brady have been helping,” said Chandler. “Saturday mornings in particular are really exciting because all the GB Canoeing athletes based in London train at the same time as our juniors are receiving coaching so they all warm up together on the lake. It’s brilliant to see all our want-to-be Olympians and our Olympians in the same place.”
The Lee Valley Legacy Project has already gone quickly off the start line and into the first gate sequences...