1999 Pool Slalom National Championships
February 27 - March 7, 1999


Where Is It?
At Your local pool.

Why A Pool Slalom?
The purpose of this event is to expose paddlers of all skill levels to a Fun slalom race in the pool of their choice. A pool slalom is also a great way to gauge the progress of developing slalom athletes over the course of several years.

How Do I Register?
No need for individuals or club/organizations to register with the US Canoe and Kayak Team (USCKT). However, each local club/organization will need to handle individual registrations for their local events.

How Much Does It Cost?
There will be no charge from the USCKT unless local groups need to use the USCKT insurance. Local club/organizations may need to charge an entry fee to help cover the cost of the pool use and possible prizes they may want to award.

How Do We Set Up The Course?
A slalom course can be set up in any pool (inside or outside) using standard slalom gates or any type of pole suspended from wire or string. The course description sheet has specific details about gate and course specifications.

What Are The Course Rules?
Refer to the Pool/Pond Slalom Rules sheet for all of the applicable rules.

How Does My Group Figure Results?

  • Time + Penalties = Score (to the nearest 1/10 second)
  • Course: A #21 gate course where gates #1 ‚ #21 must be negotiated in sequential order as described in the course info diagram.
  • Time: Starts as body passes through gate #1 & Finishes as body passes through gate #21.
  • Number of Runs: Each competitor gets to use one timed run per class/category during the competition allowing more paddlers to be involved in the competition.
  • Also refer to the Pool/Pond Slalom Recording Results sheet for more information.

    Are There Penalties For Hitting Or Missing A Gate?
    Yes. The penalties reflect the current International Canoe Federation Rules for decked boats and the National Whitewater Open Canoe Committee for open boats and Sit On Tops which are as follows:

    Type BoatGate TouchGate Missed or Wrong Direction
    Open Canoe/Sit On Top10 seconds/gate 50 seconds/gate
    Decked2 seconds/gate50 seconds/gate

    How Many Categories Can I Race?
    Each competitor is free to race as many categories as physicallyãand psychologicallyãpossible. They may also race as few as they want to. We would like to encourage everyone to race as many categories as they would like. As long as there is enough time and the local club/organization has the patience, each competitor may race several different classes and boats types. Imagine all the possibilities!!!

    Can We Practice Before The Competition?
    Sure! Depending on how soon your local club/organization sets up the course you can practice as much as you like. You may even want run some „test¾ races for extra practice.

    What If I Forget The Course?
    The course & gate information flier was made to be used as an easy guide to follow for completing each course. It is legal, and even a great idea, for novice slalom paddlers to have a coach on the side to provide helpful hints and course directions.

    How Does My Group Send In Results?
    Fill out the "Official Results" sheet for the 1999 Pool Slalom National Championships. Results should be sent by the host club/organization and must be received by Wayne Dickert on or before Friday, March 12th by one of the following methods:

    E-Mail: Wayne Dickert wayner@dnet.net
    Phone: 828-488-9222
    Postal: 156 High Valley Rd. / Bryson City, NC 28713

    Please include only one run for each competitor in each class:

    Competitors Name
    Class ( K1, OC1, etc. MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE ATHLETE'S AGE GROUP/)
    Time (to the nearest .1 second)
    Penalties (decked 2 sec., open 10 sec. per touch)
    Total Score = Time + Penalties

    Your results are more likely to get posted quickly on the USCKT web page if you send them as an e-mail. Send them in a text only format. Fax/Postal results must be typed and clear enough to scan!

    Who Wins?
    The person with the best score for a single run is declared the Pool Slalom National Champion. Categories must have 10 competitors or moreãnationallyãto be considered an „official¾ class and have medals awarded to the top three participants.

    How Do I Find Out How I Ranked Nationally?
    If your club/organization sent its results in to the USCKT on time they will be compiled with the others from around the country and overall results will be:
    1. Posted on the slalom development results page
    2. If requested, may be sent via e-mail or postal mail to all groups submitting local results.
    3. Included in the USCKT Canoe and Kayak Racing News.

    What Are The Prizes?
    Medals for the top 3 positions will be awarded to all classes with 10 national participants. Medals will be sent to each participant via UPS (United Parcel Service).

    All competitors will be included in a drawing for several other prizes including a Dagger kayak as the Grand Prize! All winners names, and prizes they have won, will be posted on the pool slalom www site and in the Canoe and Kayak Racing News.

    How Do I Get More Information?
    To receive a copy of the course diagrams, results or other information please contact Wayne Dickert at 828-488-9222.

    Late Breaking Information
    We will have NEW University category for the Pool Slalom National Championship this year. When sending in your results please indicate that your "group" is a university program. All students may race for a school or University if they are full time students in that institution whether they compete at their own school's pool or not. There will be special prizes for students that participate in this new addition to the Pool Slalom Nationals. Students must be full time (12 semester hours or equivelent) to be eligible.