Pool Slalom                        

What is a pool slalom?

     A pool slalom is a way to challenge your kayak and canoe skills in a pool under nationally prescribed racing conditions.  A set of five offset gates are set up that the paddler must pass through in a Pool Slalom Sequence for a total of 21 gates.  This event is a great opportunity to raise your paddling skills and meet other paddlers from across the region and state.  Plan to come out and have fun!

How is it scored?

     Contestants take turns running the course.  Each boater gets two runs, and the faster time is counted.  There are penalties for touching the gate poles and for running the course out of sequence.  Complete rules can be found on the Whitewaterslalom.org website or go to this website:  Pool Slalom Rules.

     Awards are given to the fastest time in each category.  In addition, results are submitted to the USACKT, who compiles a national database with results from similar events held across the United States.  This provides competitors a chance to gauge their progress from one year to the next, and to see how they compare on a national basis.

Is this competition just for expert paddlers?

     Not at all!  Novices are encouraged to participate.  Paddlers are grouped by age, sex, and experience level so they can gauge their ability in a realistic manner.  If you need a boat and paddle, you can borrow one from the club.

When and where is the pool slalom?

     The pool slalom will not be held in Kansas City in 2007.  Obtaining the Henley Aquatic Center was not feasible this year due to their planned closing for maintenance this winter.  Watch the MWA website for the date of their pool slalom in 2007.

What else should I know?

     The KCWC pool slalom is part of the I-70 Pool Slalom Series, which includes similar events in St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri.  Watch the newsletter for more information on these events.

Pool Slalom Results

KCWC Pool Slalom Results

Results in 2003, 2004 and 2005:  Results

Championship results in race boats

Championship results in Recreation boats:

Yearly results prior to 2003: whitewaterslalom.org

Records 1997-2002:  Archived records

Link to Maximum Whitewater Performance (MWP) for Gate Specs, Set-up and Boat Classes.  This site courtesy of Wayne Dickert, Rich Kulawiec and Lehigh Valley Canoe Club.