Region: London
Type: Non-Ranking
Format: Sprint

Distance: ~150m
River Grade & Hazards: Grade: 2–3 (artificial white water course). Hazards: Artificial ‘block’ obstacles creating defined water features, consistent moving water, and high concrete banks. Entry to and exit from the course is only permitted at designated access points.
Suitable for Novice: No
Safety Cover: Yes
Safety Officer: Giles Brunning
Start: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB
Finish: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB
Race Start: TBC
Check-in Time: TBC
Briefing Time: TBC
Additional Info: Lee Valley Legacy Project – White Water Development & Racing

More than a race day. More than a training session.

The Lee Valley Legacy Project is a collaborative white water development experience, with Wild Water Racing at its heart.

Designed to bring together paddlers, clubs, coaches and the wider white water community, the event will offer opportunities to build confidence, develop skills, try new disciplines and, for those ready to take the next step, experience the thrill of racing.

Whether you’re new to white water, looking to improve your technique, want to try a different boat, develop your skills in WWR, Slalom, C1 or C2, or simply fancy challenging yourself against the clock, there will be something for you.

The day will include opportunities for:

* Technique development — improve your forward paddling and efficiency
* Introduction to white water — build confidence and progress at your own pace
* Canoe development — opportunities to develop in C1 and C2
* Coached white water sessions — understand moving water, improve control and develop transferable skills
* Wavehopper Series — timed runs available for those who want to take on the challenge
* WildWater Racing — uninterrupted runs where it’s simply you against the clock
* Community & pathways — meet other paddlers, share experiences and get inspired for the season ahead
* Open paddling & fun racing — including the chance to team up for some friendly Topo-Duo racing

This event is about working together — lowering barriers, sharing knowledge and creating an environment where paddlers feel welcome, encouraged and excited to push their paddling a little further, at their own pace.

We’re building a pathway from:

LEARNING → CONFIDENCE → DEVELOPMENT → RACING

The Lee Valley event also forms part of a wider Wildwater Racing Development Weekend, bringing together paddlers and coaches across several venues and disciplines.

And as if that wasn’t enough, an epic Premier & Division 1 Slalom event will be taking place on the Olympic White Water Course at Lee Valley over the same weekend. This is your opportunity to watch top-level athletes in action, get inspired — and then take those first steps towards developing your own white water journey!

Timings and the final programme are currently TBC, but we’re working to create a full day of paddling, development, racing and community.

Interested in attending, bringing your club or getting involved? Please get in touch! The more paddlers, clubs, coaches and volunteers who come together, the more we can make this something special — and hopefully build a lasting future for grassroots white water development.

Come and be part of the Legacy.

Fees: Senior (£): 25 U18 (£): 25
Entries On The Day: No late entries are accepted

Single Event Membership: No
Payment Details: Entry & Payment

Entry fee: £25 per paddler (includes all classes — enter as many as you like)

On‑the‑day payment: Cash or bank transfer.

Late entry fee: £10 (applies from Thursday 1st October at 00:01)

Lee Valley hire costs are significant. We need 45+ paddlers to make this event viable.

The Sharks are a not‑for‑profit community interest club — prompt entries help reduce risk, and donations are warmly appreciated.

Questions & pre‑registration: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk
Online Entries Close: 03/10/2026 23:30