Its happening in all sports, its that time of year when the wheels of the quadrennial selection machinery start churning into action across all sports. Canoeing is no different.
This weekend 13-15 April, sees the Canoe Slalom athletes face their slippery selection banana skin on the new fantastic Olympic course in Lee Valley (see below). The selection examination paper seeks to find that one best boat to represent GB in each class (C1, C2, K1M, K1W). The calculation process is simple – the best 2 results from 3 races this weekend, plus the world championships in 2011, count.
As we have noted from other slalom selection events so far in the world the unpredictable can happen. The contenders include David Florence, the household name with a silver medal from Beijing in 2008. The C1 place should be his. In C2, racing with Richard Hounslow, there will be a dog fight with Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie . With the youngsters Rhys Davies and Matthew Lister ramping up their experience in the large pond, the future of British C2 racing looks rosy.
The kayak class features the evergreen Athens silver medallist, Campbell Walsh face all on-comers. With the podium not a too familiar friend for him last season, Walsh will face stiff competition from Rich Hounlow and Huw Swetnam.
The ladies class will bring bags of tension and excitement. Fiona Pennie and Lizzie Neave, both equally matched will be challenged by Laura Blakeman – the veteran of Sydney 2000. The shakedown will not be known until the last run on Sunday. 
If you’re of the sprinting persuasion, then 14/15 April at Holme Pierrepont is the place to be. Tim Brabants, Paul Wycherley (right) and Ben Farrell will all contend the K1 classes. World Championship silver medalists over the 200m distance, Ed McKeever, Liam Heath and Jonny Schofield should take the home crowd salutes before they head off to European competition sites for that all important pre- Olympic World Cup series.
In the women’s events, the coaches will keep the pressure on with a number of girls vying for the four pre-qualified athlete places. The athletes who achieved those places, Rachel Cawthorn, Abi Edmonds, Jess Walker and Louisa Sawers, should all perform well. With the opportunity of earning more in Poznan at the Euro qualifier, we will see the GB K2 500m hopeful pairing (possibly Lani Belcher and partner) push their case.
Its a great unmissable weekend for GB canoeing. So whatever you are doing, 
get down to either Nottingham or Lee Valley and watch the nation’s best in action.
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