2009 USA Under-23 Development Initiative

The 2009 USA Under-23 Development Initiative is sponsored by the Whitewater Slalom Foundation with the goal to: reduce the high attrition rate of 19-22 year old paddlers by offering domestic summer racing and training opportunities and intermediary goals below national team level.  


The Whitewater Slalom Foundation invites athletes to come race in the North American Under-23 Championships in Valleyfield Quebec, July 18/19 with prizes including slalom racing gear!

We will name and outfit a “U-23 Squad” at the U.S. Senior Team Trials under the following criteria:

   -Within 30% of winner in each class; not selected to National Team
   -Maximum team size: (6) K-1, (3) K-1W, (3) C-1, (3) C-2
   -Birth years: 1986-90

The selected athletes will attend three high quality training camps at no cost:
   -Gull River: June 29-July 3 (followed by GullFest Slalom Races July 4/5)Coach: Nic Borst

   -Valleyfield Course July 13-17 (followed by the U-23 Championships July 18/19)  Coaches: Nic Borst and Dana Chladek

   -ASCI: August 24-28  Coaches: TBD

   -Between the first two camps, athletes can participate in the Canadian Summer Series on the Madawaska, Ottawa, and Gull; as well as other great river running in the area.

2009 National Team Members are invited to participate in training camps at no charge

Tags: Canoe Slalom, Development Team, Whitewater Slalom