Kayak Club, Seaton Park Slalom Site, Seaton Park, Aberdeen. Flat, moving water training/introductory competition site on the River Don, available all year round during daylight hours. Club meets Thursdays 6pm - 8pm from April - September. Div 4 Slalom in May. Contact Dave Kay 01224 321790 or davidak@btinternet.com
The slalom course is in a large city park, less than 10 minutes from the centre of Aberdeen. It is on the River Don. The start of the course is a large pool above an old weir, and it then follows the channel down the near side of the island behind the weir. It offers fairly flat moving water with a few interesting eddies and flow patterns - ideal water for beginners, yet still interesting for Division 3 and a good training base for higher division paddlers.
This was one of the earliest permanent slalom training courses in the UK, established by University paddlers during the 1970s. It has been home to an annual introductory (Novice/Div 4) ranked slalom since 1978. Seaton was the home training centre for the Scottish Slalom squads of the late 1970s, prior to the acquisition of Grandtully.
The park is an oasis for wildlife, with formal gardens, open parkland, a football training area used by amateurs and for summer football festivals and an attractive children’s play area. A large public car park is situated next to the play area, with controlled access for unloading by the slalom site. Public toilets are adjacent, but there is no camping and caravanning permitted in the park, although there are a number of sites near Aberdeen. Recent work by the City Council has provided wheelchair access to the course.
Enter Seaton Park from Don Street, off King Street. If travelling from the North this a right turn at the second traffic lights after crossing the Bridge of Don. From the South it is a left turn at the first traffic lights after the roundabout at the junction of King Street & St Machars Drive (by the University). After about 200 metres there is the public car park to the left and a barrier, which on competition days will be unlocked for access.
CRCATS, the most active slalom club in Scotland, train on the river Devon at Alva on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings usually 6.30 - 7.30 pm
Photos coming soon
Grandtully
Grandtully slalom is held on the River Tay, as it passes between the villages of Grandtully and Strathtay.
The SCA have a set of permanent training gates on the site and across the road on the SCA campsite there is a purpose built toilet and shower block, which can be used on a daily basis as well as by campers.
Information about the use of the campsite or toilet block can be obtained from the campsite manager by calling or texting: 07760117641.
Important - Download the Code for the use of the slalom gates
Above: Looking upstream at the top fall
At this point the Tay is grade 3 water, about 30m wide and depending on water level can provide some very challenging whitewater. The slalom course usually starts at the gabions, (large metal baskets filled with stones) before taking the top fall, usually run on river left through a narrow right to left ‘S’ type line to avoid a small hole. There is a strong eddy on the right hand side immediately after the top fall that is frequently used in competitions as a testing breakout.
Then follows a relatively wide, fast, open section before the middle section of waves and eddies. At high water levels the waves in the middle section provide some good surfing and wave crossing challenges. Moving out of the middle section the flow passes either side of the large rock, right in the centre of the river and known as the boatbreaker, and finally under the road bridge to finish in the flat pool below the bridge.
Above: Looking downstream towards the middle section
The water level significantly effects the whitewater skill required to compete at this site. At any level it is definitely not the place for your first Div 2 event on moving water, and you need to be confident on whitewater before tackling it. However, it is a great place to test and improve your slalom skills on interesting natural whitewater.
How to find the site
The slalom is held in the village of Grandtully approximately 20 miles (36km) North of Perth. To get there, follow the A9 North from Perth and turn right at the village of Ballinluig onto the A827, follow the road signs towards Aberfeldy for 5 miles(8km). Ordinance Survey Map 52, grid reference 912531.
Selkirk
River sessions usually Sunday Netherdale to Melrose and Thursday at Fairnilee. Pool sessions on Tuesday night from 7 o'clock to 8.30 o'clock. Coaches Alan Dickie (0175 052 212) email and Steve Gill.
Photo's coming soon
Risk Assessment
The risk assessment process for Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) Slalom Coaching, Training & Competitions has three components:
- The generic risk assessment, the control measures for which are largely dealt with by following the SCA control measures;
- A site specific risk assessment will be completed for each location used by the coach in charge of training, coaching or competition;
- The dynamic risk assessment which is on-going throughout the training, coaching or competition and is monitoring such variable hazards as changing weather, water levels, ability and morale of the group, etc. This third element of the risk assessment is not documented, but is as important as the first two, and is undertaken primarily by the coach in charge, and also by all other leaders and assistants.
Site Specific Risk Assessments
Blank master site specific assessment for download in Word format
Dynamic Risk Assessment
Dynamic risk assessment undertaken by the coach on a particular session is a critical part of SCA Slalom risk management. This process begins with the coach in charge of a session walking the section to visually check for hazards and continues throughout the session. The British Canoe Union mnemonic CLAP is a very helpful framework for conducting dynamic risk assessments.
C - Communication. Is there a system in place for frequent communication with the people I am responsible for? If people are out of range of my voice how do I communicate with them (whistle, use of signals etc)
L - Line of Sight. Can I see all the people I am responsible for? If they go out of sight what arrangements have I made to ensure they are being looked after (eg move an assisting parent to visually watch that section)
A - Avoid the problem. Have I create a scenario where those on the water are naturally moving away from potential hazards?
P - Position of maximum usefulness. Where am I positioned in relation to those I am responsible for and the identified Site Specific hazards? What order are those on the water paddling a set course? Are the more experienced paddlers in a position to be able to assist those requiring assistance?