IS SHEPPERTON A DIV 1 SLALOM VENUE????????

[LGUSER]

Hi
Was it not debated last year that Shepperton was not a venue for div 1 slaloms to be held ?
Here we are again no div 1 to be held.
Does this not add weight to the fact that it is not a suitable div 1 venue,
so should it not now be taken off the div 1 calender???

[Neil H]

In order

Yes
Here we are again ? clarification please
No

[LGUSER]

Here we are again "arrangements made, accommodation booked(that's non non-refundable),shifts changed,time filling in cards ,posting them off,paying postage" all for nothing,to be let down by a slalom venue that publish to be holding a div 1 slalom them cancel.
It would surely be better to advertise a slalom they could truly provide may be 3/4 as it is naturally a flat water venue.

[Neil H]

Well let's break that down

All of the things you say would be true of any venue that had to cancel for reasons beyond their control. For instance the Ski Slope was cancelled last year at very short notice but no one in their right mind would suggest that that excellent venue should be penalised because people lost money or had to make personal arrangements to attend. It was a brilliant race this year, well run, great course etc. But based on this thinking it should have been removed from the calendar??????????????

I think that Tigers had to cancel Darlington this year (isn't that a pool) presumably then that was reasons beyond their control - though probably not too little or much water. Don't take it off the calendar though.

I think it's out there for all to see, that it has been an exceptionally mild winter and it is to Dee's eternal credit that she took a brave decision, knowing that this may raise it's head, for the benefit of the slalom community, as alluded to by Les, in the separate post. Therefore it's the weather to blame and not the venue.

We need to accept that these things happen in this country and be a bit more forgiving.

For me, if Shepperton, or any event runs 75% of the time or above - 3 times in 4 years, then that has to be worthwhile for the progress of the sport. Or are we looking for regression.

I recall a thread running last year about the number of course that have been lost and the overriding view seemed to be that it would be good to get some back. Are we really looking to lose another!

Is it true that there is enough to put people off slalom already? I recall comment on this forum about people being unwilling to attend single events due to cost for one day, let's not put another block in the way.

So do we want more people coming into the sport across the country, including and not discriminating against southern venues or do we want to make this a sport biased to North of the Watford Gap. I'd say in 2012 the answer doesn't require much thought.

So anyway, a friend who is not on this forum has asked me to extend an invitation.
Come and paddle at Shepperton when its running 4 to 8 gates(in a typical British winter) and then assesses what division level is appropriate. I would suggest even 2 gates is a testing course - just look at last years results for the Saturday 2 gates compared to 3 on Sunday

With many water authorities stating that is isn't "if" we have a drought but "when" lets see what the effect is this year. Bear in mind thought that if the Met Office have got in wrong, then it can't be judged on a different set of circumstances as that would be dishonest

Go

[susankayak]

Hi

I have been paddling at Shepperton for over 35 years and supported keeping this as a Div 1. More often than not the Div 2's were the most strenuous in the Country at Shepperton and it well deserved to be Div 1 at higher levels. What it does it give completely different and challenging water conditions to other events. Also it enables a higher level competition in the South.

As Neil posted, events get cancelled through no fault of the organisers. I have entered events all over the Country which have been cancelled beforehand or runs ended due to weather/water. E.g Appletreewick arrived from Southampton through snow blizzards to find local Leeds paddlers and organisers could not get there due to snow. In the old days I would get to events and there would not be a quorum to get a result/promotion opportunity etc etc etc.

This happens and is distressing and hard work for the organiser, yes disappointing for paddlers but after 39 years of events its what happens.

PS: I am past my days of being capable or even wanting to do the big stuff so I am quite pleased the tap is off!!! as the saying goes "you cant please all of the people all of the time".
Susan

[Carlosvalderama]

Agree with both Susan and Neil above. Events are cancelled every year through no fault of the organiser. Tryweryn Div 1 last year a good example. It's unfortunate that it seems to be alot of Div 1 venues that are very water dependant.

Do we just except that? Well it seems we do unless we can get more events on courses where the water can guaranteed.

Having lived in the south, Shepperton wad always a nice 'local' race. Other opportunities down there are non existent for Div 1. Lee Valley has no Div 1 event, neither does Cardiff which would be the next closest course. Hence getting rid of Shepperton just because of our sporadic weather would be a shame for all slalom paddlers I'm the south.

And as Neil quite rightly pointed out when it has 3 gates open Shepperton provides enough test for all paddlers.

Simon

[alldaypaddler]

shepperton is certainly a div 1 course in the right conditions - and a very challenging div 2 course. just see last year's results - 50, 50, 50... it can get pretty big.

but that's what's so good about shepperton - it can range from a 3/4 to a 1/2.

as has been said, there's nowhere else in the south.

[Spiderman]

In response to the main question here, in my opinion, yes.

But if water availability is the main problem I suggest you try what we have been doing at VKC in Bedford regarding two sluice gates local to us. I am sure the first reaction to this suggestion is going to be "No chance!" because that was the general response when we began. However, we have made significant progress so it can work out well even if it does take some time.

Like Sheppers, our gates provide both a brilliant slalom training and competition venue and have done for more than 40 years. But, realistically, only when the water level is high enough to cause the gates to be opened. What we really needed was the ability to open the gates ourselves when we wanted to train or run an event. (You see! I told you that your first reaction would be "No chance!" - but read on!)

In our situation the gates are owned by the Environment Agency and operated by the Borough Council. It is fair to say that it took a couple of years to progress as neither of those two authorities have readily available resources to apply to this type of out-of-the-ordinary matter and, to be fair, we were also seeking to obtain other related slalom benefits that I will not go into here but these also took a long time to reach agreement on. The actual obtaining of permission to operate the gates is not really the time consuming part in our case, it just happens to be the final part. What is required is continual well presented pressure from an established, responsible and nationally recognized Club upon both authorities, particularly the Environment Agency, to convince it that there will be no adverse effects of granting the request. It needs to be satisfied that there will be no harm to the river or to wildlife and all matters of safety have been properly dealt with regarding river users, members of the public, those paddling below the gates and those who actually operate the gates.

Our mission has been hampered by a really unfortunately timed grant of planning permission for the installation of a water powered electricity turbine that will require ALL of the water that we require to run through the sluice gates! However, even faced with this local government scheme (waving the eco flag to make a political statement before the next election) we were able to demonstrate that the venue was an established sporting/recreation area that actually took precedence over the use of the turbine! This claim was in accordance with planning policies that were decidedly in our favour regarding the use of the river and the venue as a sporting facility. Agreements were signed to confirm that the turbine would need to be shut down when we required use of the sluice gates.

I have to say that VKC benefits greatly from a particularly determined Chairman, Robert Bates, who puts a great deal of time and effort into representing the best interests of the Club in a very professional manner indeed. Shepperton would similarly need someone to administer matters on its behalf and ideally one or two others who can assist with some specialist information when required. As a planning consultant with more than 32 years experience in Town Planning, I would be happy to provide free and gratis advice in this regard to assist with the presentation of information to the authorities.

In Bedford, nominated VKC Members have already received training on the operation of the gates and we are now very close to being given our very own key! There are obviously gate operation restrictions regarding water levels and duration of opening but being able to open the gates at levels below that which they are normally opened to discharge flood water is a real benefit to VKC Members.

In conclusion, rather than take the defeatist attitude, quite normal when locking antlers with not one but two powerful authorities, be positive, look at all the practical reasons why it should be acceptable to allow what you are asking for and set about properly presenting your case.

"Thinking that something is impossible is no proof that it is. Challenge others for such proof."

[Neil H]

Peter

Interesting read

Have posted link on Shepp Farcebook so hopefully it will generate some consideration of your offer - it's about sharing info for the greater good

Sun's shining in UK

[Spiderman]

Thank you Neil.

LOL @ Farcebook ....Faceache I heard before, this one I had not

The sun does not always shine here but it is between 30 and 32 Degrees most of the time. Makes paddling very enjoyable

PP

[Neil H]

I'm wondering if I could get rich by forming the Anti-Social Network. People with ASBO's would be my trial group.

I think I know what I'd call it but restrain from saying here