The 30th annual Gull River Open Canoe Slalom takes place September 11th and 12th at the Minden Wild Water Preserve just outside of Minden Ontario.

 

 

 

The Gull River Open Canoe Slalom has been in annual event since the invention of the canoe (okay maybe not quite that long but I think it is in it's 30th year of running).

On any given year there is roughly around 50 competitors who show up to take on the gates and compete against one another. When I say compete I mean it in the loosest possible terms.

Although there are some hardcore slalom boaters who show up for the race it is a great place for someone wanting to step there boating up to the next level to give slalom a try. Thinking back this was the first slalom race I participated in and I do recall doing horribly but it didn't matter because everyone was supportive.

For those who don't know open canoe slalom is a timed event where a canoeist or perhaps two in a tandem boat makes there way down a river negotiating through a series of down stream and up stream gates which are suspended over the river and are set just wide enough to fit your boat through.

If you happen to graze one of the gates while passing through you receive a 10 second penalty (they add up quickly) and if you happen to miss a gate all together you get a 50 second penalty.

It sounds very challenging because it is but it is also a great way to work on your water reading and boat placement skills.

If you aren't really interested in racing or are a little intimidated then come out and watch as a lot can be learned from even from just being a spectator. Oh and it's great entertainment.

More information about the race can be found at www.whitewaterontario.ca and www.opencanoeslalom.com

Rapid will be there to race and report on the events.

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