SBX and SlopeJam

SlopeJam 2010, 11th June

Slopestyle – Taken straight from the snowsports world, it’s basically downriver freestyle. A combination of natural & man made obstacles to express your way down!

The Event

With the big steep weir haven of the Fournel just a stones throw away from the campsite,  SlopeJam is an INVITATION/APPLICATION only event where the guys and gals of the UK paddling scene come out to play for some waterfall running, freewheeling, grinding and most of all crowd pleasing.

Each competitor will run a short section of the Fournel one at a time and asked to simply express themselves and please the crowd as much as they can – and along the way there’ll be a few obstacles to help (or hinder) their performance such as the infamous grinding log.  The judges of the event shall then whittle down each competitor to a final where they’ll be asked to pull out all the stops to please the crowd as much as possible, until a winner declared.

Safety gibbons will be on hand throughout the duration, primarily made up of the rest of the competitors.  Bear  in mind of course (as stated in the disclaimer below), participants are responsible for ensuring their own safety on the water.

Due to the nature of the Fournel, the event is invitation/application only and reserved for paddlers of a certain ability.  BUT (but but but but but!) the event is far from just the big guns having a day out on the river on their own.  The event can’t exist without a crowd of students – watching some of the UKs best paddlers doing what they do best is an awesome way to spend a summers evening in the Alps, with a few beers and perhaps a sneaky shack pizza!  We need as many people to head down as possible and show their support whilst helping us decide on a winner with an informal applause-o-meter!

For a quick glimpse to see what the event is all about – check out this vid from Jonny Noblett:

When and Where?

SlopeJam 2010 will be held on Friday 11th June, meeting at 5pm at the big weir on the Fournel close to the town of L’Argentiere-la-Bessee and not far from the slalom course/campsite on the banks of the Durance.  L’Argentiere is about 20 minutes south of Briancon in the heart of the French Alps.

A precise schedule of the runs will appear on this site in the run up to the event when all the competitors names are in, and will be circulated around the L’Argentiere campsite at the course in the days leading up to the Friday.

Prizegiving will take place shortly after the final, where news of the evening plans will be dished out.  Read on to find out more!

Cost

FREE OF CHARGE – The events cost nothing to enter – BUT all competitors must firstly be approved by the SlopeJam team of organisers and secondly sign an entry form in order to compete in events.

Entry

Due to the nature of the Fournel and its big steep weirs, for safety reasons participants must be of a high standard of paddling ability and must be familiar and comforable with running high waterfalls and performing tricks there-on.  As  such, SlopeJam is an INVITATION/APPLICATION only event (i.e. entry is strictly only given at the discression of the SlopeJam team of organisers).

Although the event is informal and the organisers cannot stop people from paddling on the river itself; participants may only actually compete in the event following approval of an application by the organisers.  The organisers reserve the right to refuse individuals once they have applied, and bar individuals on the day of the competition; should the organisers feel their participation will be jeopardising their own safety and the safety of other paddlers.

Anyone wishing to enter MUST contact the organisers (Matt and Andy) by e-mail: studentboaterx@hotmail.co.uk

Unless your notoriety preceeds you, we’ll ask you to complete a short application form and send it back to us – after which we’ll let you know whether you are able to enter ASAP.

By e-mailing to apply you are agreeing that you understand the disclaimer (below).  Before entering/completing your first run on the day you’ll be asked to complete an entry form confirming you understand the conditions/disclaimer of the event.

Prizes

Some top prizes are in the mix this year in the same spirit as the world famous “SlopeJam honey presented by SlopeJam honeys” – watch this space!

Prizegiving will take place shortly after the final at the big weir on the Fournel.

PARTY TIME!

A post SlopeJam party is on the cards this year, where ALL visiting boaters are welcome to don their glad rags (i.e. that very creased shirt at the bottom of your rucksack) and head out on the town for some raving and misbehaving.  We’re currently looking at our options but provisional plans are to head out to Briancon or Embrun for an evening of mandatory dancing on tables.

Event Disclaimer

1. Participants should be fully aware of and experienced in the environment in which SlopeJam takes place – the high manmade weirs of the Fournel river in the French Alps.  As such, participants should be of a high standard in terms of paddling ability, and familiar and comfortable with running waterfalls and performing tricks there-on.
2. Participants should be fully aware that the event is completely informal.  Although a competition is taking place, together with an overall final and winners – strictly speaking the event is nothing more than a group of people boating together at the same time.
3. Although the event is informal and the organisers cannot stop people from paddling on the river itself; participants may only actually compete in the event following approval of this application by the organisers.  The organisers reserve the right to refuse individuals once they have applied, and bar individuals on the day of the competition; should the organisers feel their participation will jeopardising their own safety and the safety of other paddlers.
4. Participants in the SlopeJam event must be aware that they compete entirely at their own risk and as such must understand the common dangers associated with the sport of canoeing, especially in the environment described above.  Although safety will be provided for competitors for the duration of the event, participants are still solely responsible for ensuring their own safety on the water.
5. The organisers or elected safety crew of the event are not formally responsible for the safety of any paddler throughout the duration of the competition and are not liable for any eventuality.
6. The organisers reserve the right to cancel the event without prior notice should they feel it necessary to do so.

By formally applying to the event, you are confirming you understand the above information.  You will also  be asked to sign a quick form before your first run to confirm you have read and understood the above information.

Questions and Applications

If you’ve any questions on any aspect of the event, or if you wish to apply for SlopeJam, please do not hesitate to contact us (Matt and Andy) by e-mail: studentboaterx@hotmail.co.uk

If you’ve any queries whilst out in the Alps, come and find us on the L’Argentiere campsite at “Boater-X HQ” – which is located at whichever pitch we get put on!