Slalom kayaking is returning to the Wairoa River with the running of the Bill Ross Memorial Race on Sunday.

Club members are advised to turn up early to help with the course set up.

File photo.

Floods last year removed wires and the spectator bridge.

Registration is at 10am with the first runs at 12.30pm.

A river run is anticipated after the racing.

Canoe slalom is a spectacular watersport, demanding skill, stamina and courage.

The aim is to run a rapid river course marked by ‘gates' fast, and without touching.

A ‘gate' is two poles, suspended over the water.

Green and white gates are negotiated heading downstream, red and white gates upstream.

The gates are placed so kayakers must make tricky cross-current moves and use eddies and waves.

Touching a gate with a paddle, boat, buoyancy aid, helmet or any part of the body adds a two second penalty to the paddler's time.

Missing a gate costs 50 seconds – a wipeout in serious competition.

Each competitor takes two runs, with the best run counting.

There are five classes: men's and ladies' kayak (K1 and K1W), Canadian singles (C1M and C1W) and Canadian doubles (C2).

Entry fee is $15 for CSBOP members and $20 non-members.

Bill Ross began kayaking at age 50 after watching a kayak introduction course at the Cozy Corner Motor Camp pool in the early 1970s.

Club member Barry Anderson says Bill taught himself kayaking skill in the surf at Mount Maunganui and began accompanying the local kayak enthusiasts who were at that time still discovering the extent of the Wairoa River.
Bill was elected onto the inaugural committee of the Kaimai Canoe Club in 1975 and over the years served for extended periods on every position of responsibility.

Before his death he was made a life member in recognition of his continuing commitment.

Bill loved the adventure of discovering new rivers and accompanied Rob Worledge on the Mangorangi and with Roy Tallon and others on tributaries of the Motu.

He considered slalom a vital skill test that could only benefit participants.

Accordingly, he lent vital support to Barry Anderson when Tauranga Joint Generation Committee were confronted and a successful objection lodged to their Ruahihi Scheme, that, had it failed, would have meant the finish of the Wairoa for anything other than a flooded river run.
Bill Ross was a stalwart in every way and worked hard to give people the opportunity to share in the sport of kayaking that he had come to love.

Naming the annual Wairoa slalom is a fitting tribute to Bill's memory, says Barry.