Grandtully races update – 02.08.2023

[Secretary Man]

As many of you will be aware, on Monday 31 July, the SCA shared details of unauthorised constructions in the Grandtully rapids. Following recent correspondence with various parties, the SCA have issued a statement confirming the Loss of permission to use Grandtully slalom gates. This also requires the removal of all gates, lines and stanchions. This is clearly a very disappointing position for the slalom community and the sport, and we will work with the SCA and other interested parties with regard to the future use of this fantastic venue for slalom.

Investigations and discussions with regard to the incident, the remediation and the future of the use of the site are ongoing with various agencies including the Pitcastle Estate (landowner), Police Scotland, NatureScot, SEPA and Perth & Kinross Council. We would ask that people do not speculate or interfere with these processes. Expanding on the SCA statement: British Canoeing, the BC Slalom Committee and the upcoming race organisers had no knowledge of and played no part in the construction of these new structures.
With regards to the planned races which were to take place at Grandtully this month:

The Division 2 race on 19/20 August has been cancelled. Entered paddlers will be contacted by the organiser.

The Division 1/2 race scheduled for 26/27 August cannot be held at Grandtully, and the organisers are investigating a potential alternative of running the event at Pinkston on the same weekend. Confirmation of this option and the relocation (or the cancellation of the event) will be made this week and we will issue an update as soon as we are able on this website and by email to paddlers entered to the original event. Please do not make any bookings until confirmation of any change has been issued.

We realise the cancellation of these races will be a further disappointment to everyone who had entered and/or with plans to attend Grandtully over the coming weeks whether paddling or supporting. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you also to the organisers and their teams who, despite having spent substantial time and effort working to get these races ready dealing with other infrastructure issues, find themselves in this position due to actions of others out of their control.

Both the SCA and the BC Slalom Committee will post any updates on access for slalom at Grandtully as soon as we are able. Paddlers are urged to read the SCA news item about safety concerns in respect of paddling on the River Tay.

If you should have any queries with regard to the above races, please contact the relevant organiser in the first instance. If you have any other questions, please contact either the SCA or email Andy at slalom.chair@vol.britishcanoeing.org.uk

British Canoeing Slalom Committee 2 August 2023