The Lee Valley WWR Legacy Project

Saturday 14th March 2026 – Event now full

The Sharks are pleased to announce an amazing project, working in partnership with Paddle UK’s Wild Water Racing Committee, The Sharks are launching the Lee Valley Legacy Project, on Saturday 14th March 2026, and this is just the beginning.

Start List

This event is now full, and whist that may be disappointing for those who did not get an entry, the good news is we know it is viable and will be running another event in October. It would be really helpful if people can give us some feedback, so we can continue to grow and improve the event: please email us on: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.

Please Share, print and display, please help get the message out – Great things are happening

What is it?

A day of fun White Water training and practice, with a Wild Water Race at the end. The plane is to build on this event and create something special ands to help Wild Water Racing and paddlers develop together in a fun, friendly, and safe environment at the: Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB.

Full details in PDF available here.

Combining a day of White Water Development with Wild Water Racing, offering a supportive and progressive introduction to racing on moving water, alongside high-quality sprint competition.


Event Schedule

14:30 – 16:30 White Water Development & Confidence Building.

A coached, supportive session focusing on understanding moving water (lines, waves, stoppers), building confidence and control, and developing transferable skills for Wild Water Racing and slalom.
This session is aimed at grassroots paddlers and those new to white water or Wild Water Racing, as well as paddlers looking to build confidence stepping into faster, more dynamic flow.

16:30 – 17:30 Break & Community Time

Late lunch/afternoon tea and an informal opportunity for clubs to mix, share experience, and connect. Bring your own food. Tea and coffee may be available at the café in the Centre.

17:15 | Race specific briefing for those only attending the race

17:30 – 19:30 | Wild Water Race

Fun, uninterrupted sprint racing, paddlers racing against the clock. Multiple runs, using different boats (K1, C1, and C2) where numbers allow, with the fastest time counting.

Risk Assessment

Click here for full details and documentation, as well as entry system.

Fees:Senior (£): £25 U18 (£): £25
Entries On The Day: Late entries on the day are accepted
Late Entry Surcharge (£): £10
Single Event Membership: Yes, Single Event Membership entry is accepted
Payment Details: Entry Fee: £25 per paddler
(Includes access to development session and racing; multiple race runs where numbers allow.)

Please sign up on line, The Sharks want to make this a regular event and are looking at running another event in October and then again next year, however, we need your support to do this as we hiring this iconic facility costs money. We are investing in the future of Wild Water Racing, please join us and together Let’s Begin the Legacy

Let’s Begin the Legacy

The Lee Valley Legacy Project is the start of something bigger.

Together, we’re creating a space where newcomers, families, athletes, clubs, and communities can come together to learn, race, and grow on white water, year after year.

By taking part, you’re not just entering a race.You’re helping shape the future of white water paddling and Wild Water Racing in London and the South East, and well beyond.

Whether you’re racing to win, trying something new, or cheering from the bank this is your moment. Be bold – Shape the story – Become the legacy.

Do you want to help?

The more people and clubs involved the easier and better the event will be and the easier it will be for us to repeat it regularly, so if you can help please get in touch, email: canoeing@thesharks.org.uk.

We will need people to help:

In Control, Marshalling the Escalator, at Start and Finish, Water Safety crews on the bank, taking pictures, and probably anything else you want to help with

Information For Paddlers, Coaches, and Parents.

This has been sent out by email to all competitors

Good Day Paddlers, 

I have to say — I’m slightly flabbergasted. 

Last week we had just over 25 entries, and almost overnight that number has grown to 90 paddlers. That level of enthusiasm is absolutely incredible, and it genuinely means a lot. Thank you for supporting this event — we’re really looking forward to welcoming you all on Saturday. The Sharks are working in partnership with Paddle UK and the Wild Water Racing Committee to deliver a genuine legacy for the discipline, and the response so far shows there is a real appetite to grow white water paddling and Wild Water Racing together. 

Event Timing

Please see the planned schedule for the afternoon and evening: Check-in From: 13:00
Safety Briefing: 13:45
Event Starts: 14:30
Break / Social Chat: 16:30–17:30
Race-Specific Briefing: 17:15
First Runs: 17:30
Second Runs: 18:30
Prize Giving: 19:45 (TBC) Please aim to arrive in good time for check-in and the safety briefing. 

Our Guiding Principle

The idea behind the Lee Valley Legacy Project is simple: Start with what you’re comfortable in — then take the next step with support. 

For some paddlers that progression might look like: GP → Slalom Boat → Wavehopper → Wild Water Racer → Try C1 → Race C2 To help make this possible, a large range of boats will be available to borrow on the day, creating a low-barrier introduction to different white water disciplines and racing craft. 

However — with numbers this high — boat sharing will definitely be part of the day. If your club is able to bring spare boats or equipment, it would be hugely appreciated. We will do our best to coordinate things, but a bit of self-awareness and cooperation from everyone will help make the day run smoothly. 

We’re all navigating this together — and learning as we go. Looking ahead, this will not be a one-off event. The next Legacy Project day will aim to be longer, fuller, and even more development focused. But first we need to make this one epic, safe, and fun for everyone. 

Because this event is about working together, not simply turning up and racing. It’s about lowering barriers, sharing knowledge, supporting progression, and creating an environment where paddlers feel welcome and excited to push their paddling a little further — at their own pace. With your help, we’re laying foundations: For paddlers. For clubs. For the future of white water paddlesport. 

Thank You to the Clubs Supporting the Event

A huge thank you to the clubs and individuals who have generously offered equipment: The Sharks

  • 12 GP white water boats
  • 6 slalom boats
  • 5 wavehoppers
  • 5+ composite wild water racers
  • 2 TopoDuos
  • 2 C1 WWRs
  • 1 C2 WWR

Wild Water Racing Committee, Nottingham Kayak Club, Geoff Lovell & Kerry Christie

  • 15 wavehoppers
  • 2 C2 boats
  • 1 C1
  • 1 TopoDuo

Proteus Canoe Club

  • WWR boats
  • Slalom boats

Lee Valley Paddlesports Club (Martin)

  • 6 Fox slalom boats
  • 6 Wavehoppers

Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club

  • Wavehoppers

Your support is what makes events like this possible. 

Special Guest Announcement 🏆

We’re incredibly excited to share that Double World Champion Kerry Christie will be joining us on Saturday. Kerry became Junior & U23 World Champion at the Wild Water Racing World Championships, and she’ll be coming down to support the event, meet paddlers, and help inspire the next generation. Rumour has it she may even be bringing along her World Championship medal. It’s a fantastic opportunity to say hello, snap a photo, or ask a few questions about racing at the highest level. 

Parking (Please Read Carefully)

Free on-site parking is available for all participants. However, the Lee Valley car park is managed using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and parking must be renewed every 6 hours. To register your parking:

  • Visit reception on arrival
  • Scan their QR Code
  • Enter the PIN provided on site

It is strongly advised that you screenshot or save your parking confirmation receipt, as parking penalties have unfortunately been a known issue at the venue. Best practice is also to set a reminder on your phone so that you renew your parking if necessary. 

Event WhatsApp Group

A WhatsApp group has been created for the event, and paddlers, parents, and coaches are welcome to join. This will allow us to:

  • Share updates before and during the event
  • Post results
  • Share photos and videos
  • Help coordinate boat sharing and support

Please contact us to join.

We will also have a QR code available on the day if you prefer to join then. We will also be testing Results Live for live timing on the day. However, WiFi at Lee Valley can sometimes be unreliable, so if needed we will post results directly in the WhatsApp group. Please do not share the invite link outside this event, as it could lead to spam. And please — take videos and photos and share them. Capturing the passion and atmosphere of our sport is one of the best ways we can help it grow. 

Bib Numbers

Bib numbers will be allocated to you on the day during check-in. These must be worn at all times when you are:

  • On the white water course
  • Near the water
  • Participating in any timed run

Once you have finished racing, please return your bib to race control. 

Afternoon Sprint Racing

In the afternoon we will run a Sprint Race session. Each paddler will receive two uninterrupted timed runs in their preferred craft. Timing plan

  • Target start interval: 30 seconds
  • Approximately 2 paddlers per minute

If you would like to race multiple disciplines (for example K1 & C1, or C1 & C2), please let us know as early as possible on the day. Depending on time constraints, second disciplines may be limited to one run only. Where possible, we will also aim to run a TopoDuo race, which should be great fun if numbers allow. 

Food & Drink

Please bring your own lunch and drinks. Food options at Lee Valley are limited to vending machines, and the cafeteria will close early due to out-of-season hours. A few paddlers have asked about food after the event, which sounds like a great idea. While we haven’t organised anything formally this time, if people would like to arrange an informal gathering, please feel free to do so in the WhatsApp group. Some nearby recommendations include: Pubs

  • The Vine – Waltham Cross
  • The Queen’s Head – Waltham Abbey
  • Bakers Arms – Waltham Abbey
  • The Plough – Waltham Abbey

Restaurants (Cheshunt – ~10 minutes away)

  • Reyna Brasserie – Turkish
  • Mahek – Indian
  • De Ja Vu – Indian
  • Peking House – Chinese

Volunteers & Event Support

To deliver the event safely and smoothly we rely heavily on volunteers. If you know anyone who could help with:

  • Marshals
  • Bankside safety
  • On-water safety

it would make a huge difference to the running of the event. If volunteers have throwlines and carabiners, that’s an added bonus — especially for larger club groups. Please reply to this email if you can help. 

GoPros & Photography

Photography is very welcome at this event. If you are using a telephoto lens, please register with race control. GoPros and action cameras are also encouraged — this is the first Wild Water Racing event at Lee Valley in over 10 years, and we want people to capture and share the experience. I will have two GoPros and an Insta360 available that paddlers may borrow. However, one crucial rule: If a camera becomes detached from a paddler or boat, it must be reported immediately. Loose cameras can become entangled in the course pump systems, which can cause serious damage. 

Core Event Team

A number of experienced paddlers, coaches, and volunteers are helping make the day possible: 

Giles Brunning – Lead Safety Officer
Over 40 years of white water experience, including guiding groups on some of the world’s most challenging rivers. Giles will oversee operational safety throughout the day. 

Neal Underwood – First Aider
Over 40 years of coaching and event organisation across slalom, wild water racing, and sprint. A calm and experienced presence whenever needed.

Rick Moore – Lead Slalom Coach
A legendary slalom coach with more than 30 years of experience developing paddlers safely at all levels. You’ll likely spot Rick on the water offering advice. 

Grant Underwood – Event Organiser
10+ years delivering competitions and sport development projects. If you have questions, ideas, or problems on the day — come and find me. 

Aaron Nolan – Performance Coach
A passionate coach and personal trainer with extensive experience in strength, conditioning, and athlete development. 

Sam Marston – Videographer
You’ll likely see Sam running alongside the course capturing footage. If you’d like a video clip of your run, just ask! 

Patrick Thorn – Event Photographer
A legendary VET paddler with decades of paddling knowledge who has kindly volunteered to capture the atmosphere of the event. 

Khaleel Ziauddin – Water Safety
A highly skilled slalom paddler helping support safety on the water. 

Semir Ahmed – Coach & Water Safety
An epic slalom paddler, recently back from retirement and already rising through Division 1 again. Sem has recently completed his slalom coaching qualification and is passionate about giving back to the paddling community. 

Daniel Greening – Bankside Safety
An experienced white water paddler supporting bankside safety operations.

Joanna Lechocka – Event Admin & Timing
The pen is mightier than the paddle — Joanna will be managing registration, bib allocation, and helping keep timing organised. 

Alistair Smorthit – Coach
A talented paddler and Junior World Championship medallist, bringing both racing experience and coaching insight. There will be many more volunteers helping throughout the day, and we’ll introduce everyone properly during the briefing. 

Safety Information (Important)

Helmets, buoyancy aids, and spraydecks must be worn at all times while on the white water course. Spectators should not pass the bankside ropes unless authorised staff. Anyone entering these areas must wear a helmet and buoyancy aid, in line with Lee Valley site rules. Lee Valley are very supportive of Wild Water Racing returning to the venue, but understandably they have concerns around course damage and pinning risks. To reduce this risk:

  • Only 3–4 Wild Water Racers / Wavehoppers will be on the course at once
  • The course takes around 60 seconds per run, meaning the flow of paddlers is continuous and waiting time should remain minimal

If an incident occurs, activity may be temporarily halted. If instructed to stop paddling or avoid the escalator, please follow instructions immediately. All boats must contain adequate buoyancy as required by Wild Water Racing safety rules, and boats will be inspected before being allowed onto the course. Boats that pass inspection will be labelled with a Legacy Safety Sticker, confirming they meet the required safety standard. If you are missing airbags we may have a few spares available, but this cannot be guaranteed. 

Safety Rule: Waiting for Two Paddlers

As per Wild Water Racing, Slalom rules, and international safety standards: Every participant must wait for two paddlers to finish behind them. This ensures someone is always nearby if assistance is needed. Failure to follow this rule will result in removal from the session. 

Forgotten Kit?

Lee Valley offers equipment hire including:

  • Wetsuits
  • Helmets
  • Buoyancy aids
  • Spraydecks
  • Gloves
  • Wet shoes

£5 per item or £20 bundle deal. 

Event Documents

Attached to this email you will find:

Please give us a follow and share — it helps grow the sport and future events. 

Looking Ahead

The Lee Valley Legacy Project is the start of something bigger. Together we’re creating a space where new paddlers, families, athletes, clubs, and communities can come together to learn, race, and grow on white water — year after year. 

By taking part, you’re not just entering a race. You’re helping shape the future of Wild Water Racing and white water paddling in London and the South Region. Whether you’re racing to win, trying something new, or cheering from the bank — this is your moment. Be bold.


Shape the story.
Become the legacy. 

Best wishes,
Grant Underwood
The Sharks | www.thesharks.org.uk
Lee Valley Legacy Project

Published 10th February 2026, updated 12th March 2026