Last updated 13:23, Thursday, 20 March 2008

The popular Krazy Kayak Pool Slalom competition held at Prudhoe Waterworld was yet again a resounding success.

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The competition required canoeists to complete a course of slalom gates, obstacles and skills tests in the fastest time without touching the poles which would incur penalties.

Problem solving skills were also called upon to determine the fastest route around the obstacles that had to be completed in the correct order.

After sliding into the pool from a one-metre drop, the most difficult tests were to blow a whistle inside a waterfall formed from the waterslide, perform an Eskimo roll and the final task of scoring a basketball shot to stop the clock.

Ray Hudspith, the organiser for the Tyne Valley Canoe Club event, was overwhelmed at the response from people who volunteered their spare time to help ensure the event ran smoothly.

Members of the Tyne Valley club and other clubs in the North-East came forward along with young volunteering leaders Ben Thornhill and Dean Foster, from Haydon Bridge and Prudhoe high schools, offering their time to help with the event.

Both Ben and Dean are currently studying in the sixth form but still find time to volunteer over 200 hours to sports clubs as part of the Government’s PE School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL) Step into Sport initiative.

After reaching the 200 hours target they will receive accreditation for a Sports Leadership in Community Volunteering award but more importantly, gain experience and develop a wide range of transferable work skills, while raising their confidence and self esteem through sporting opportunities.

Ray said: “Organising an event requires lots of planning and preparation before, on the day and after the event.

“Award certificates had to be designed and printed – thanks Andy!

“The course had to be built as soon as the pool was cleared of the swimmers and dismantled after the event – thanks Michael and Mark and all the others that helped!”

Ben gained experience as an official, scoring and timing the competitors, while Dean demonstrated his excellent ICT skills by collating and organising the entries and results onto a spreadsheet.

Two new faces who will play a huge part in Paddlesport development in the region also made an appearance and gave their time to the event.

Regional club coach Simon Tibbitts, and local club coach Darren Cresser have been appointed by Canoe England to join Bobby Timperley, the Paddlesport development officer for the North-east region.

Darren comes from a world class slalom stock, while Simon is a very experienced recreational coach.

They will be working with the Hexham, Tyne Valley and other regional canoe clubs to develop coaches and young talent in the future.

This was their first experience of this unique event and both were impressed at the high standards of paddling demonstrated, in particular by the youngsters competing.