RSE’s sponsored slalom paddlers, Findlay (16) and Tally McLean (15), have had a busy summer travelling to Europe for their training camps for the first time.
The pair had a great start to the summer with some successful paddling on the Tryweryn River in North Wales. Over the weekend competition and across three disciplines, Findlay and Tally achieved one win and one third place finish each. On finishing the competition, they embarked on a European Training Trip which in total lasted four weeks, with a brief return to the UK midway to complete a British Canoeing certified coaching qualification.
The sibling’s training kicked off with Strathallan Canoe Club’s training camp, which saw the pair paddle at locations including Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf on the Rhone, L’Argentière-la-Bessée and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. The two weeks of training was a valuable experience for Findlay and Tally, paddling in blistering heat with stunning scenery and crystal-clear waters. The different locations offered various challenges on the water which allowed the budding professional canoeists to develop their skills to meet the winning standards of competitions across both the UK and Europe.
The final two weeks of their European training saw Findlay and Tally join the Scottish Squad on a training camp that took them to Slovakia and the Czech Republic. This intensive period of training on multiple slalom courses culminated in competing in the ECA Junior Slalom Cup race in Bratislava. This was their first European competition which was exhilarating due to both paddlers making the finals.
Following their return home, the pair have a busy autumn ahead with a packed race schedule, having already achieved a mixed C2 (the two paddlers in the same canoe) win on the River Tay at Grandtully.
Tally has additionally been selected to attend the Home Nations Integration Camp. This camp is seen as an introduction to the GB squad and coaches for paddlers with the potential to progress to the World Class programme.
Slalom Paddlers, Findlay and Tally McLean, said:
The ECA Junior Slalom Cup competition was amazing. It was brilliant to have made the finals and the experience has helped us to understand the level of competition in Europe, which gives us something to work towards for next summer.
RSE is delighted to hear of Findlay and Tally’s recent paddling successes and the opportunities they’ve had to improve their skills and develop their competitive racing on the water through their European training camps. We wish the pair all the best in their upcoming competitions and look forward to seeing what they will achieve next.
