Slalom Boat Hire

1. Club boats are provided to help encourage and sustain participation. Often paddlers are not able to try the sport due to barriers such as the initial cost of buying specialist slalom boats and paddles. The Club will help overcome this by offering the use of Club boats until paddlers are well established and advanced in the sport. K1 Club boats are available for use until the paddler reaches Division 1 and C1 Club boats are available until the paddler reaches Prem. At this point paddlers are expected to buy their own boats and equipment.

2. Club slalom boats and equipment are only available to Club members with up to date membership.

3. Club boats are available free of charge for Club events and Club training at the Yat e.g. Thursday night training and where paddlers are racing for the Club in ranked competitions (including Division 4).

4. For all other personal training and use there is a small hire charge of £5 per week per boat and including associated kit such as paddle, BA and spray deck. Hire charges can be paid by bank transfer to the Club or by cheque/cash to the Club Treasurer or Slalom Coach.

5. All boats need to be returned to the Club sheds on or prior to the Thursday Club night which runs between April and October. Even if boats are out on hire for private use, they need to be back for Club use unless there has been prior arrangement with the Slalom Coach.

6. Boats and associated equipment should be booked with the Slalom Coach and bookings (full list of kit) recorded in the logbook in the Club boat shed.

7. Slalom boats need to be treated carefully and with respect as they are much more fragile than standard plastic boats. Don’t drag boats along the ground, seal launch or ‘boof’ off rocks. Ensure air bags are inflated prior to use. Please report any breakages or damage as soon as possible to the Slalom Coach.

8. Any paddler (or parents of children taking part) using Club equipment on a Thursday or at other Club events need to help return kit to the shed. Please don’t leave boats at the top of the steps and walk away assuming someone else will put it away.

9. Carrying of boats on vehicles is expected but please use foam or other cushioning material on roof racks to prevent damage. Avoid over tightening straps and don’t use ratchet type straps that can lead to over tightening and damage. Keep boats out of the sun when in storage.

10. Use of Club slalom boats at certain venues e.g. CIWW is at the Slalom Coach’s discretion and will depend on which boats are being used and the paddlers ability.

Don’t forget people are around to help so if you are not sure on anything just ask! We hope to see the Wyedean Slalom Squad continue to grow and flourish.