Coming soon — Saturday 14th March.
The Sharks are working in partnership with Paddle UK and the Wild Water Racing Committee to deliver a genuine legacy for the discipline.
What Is the Lee Valley Legacy Project?
This is more than a race day.
The Lee Valley Legacy Project is a collaborative white water development experience with Wild Water Racing (WWR) at its heart. It’s designed to bring paddlers, clubs, coaches, and the wider WWR community together to:
• Build confidence on moving water
• Develop transferable white water skills
• Introduce and grow Wild Water Racing
• Create a shared pathway from learning → confidence → racing
• Establish something sustainable, repeatable, and meaningful
This event is about working together — not just turning up and racing.
It’s about lowering barriers, sharing knowledge, supporting progression, and creating an environment where people feel welcome, encouraged, and excited to push their paddling a little further — at their own pace.
We’re laying foundations.
For paddlers. For clubs. For the future of white water paddlesport.
Who Is This For?
Everyone. Absolutely everyone.
Our guiding principle is simple:
Start with what you’re comfortable in — then take the next step with support.
Progression might look like:
GP → Slalom → Wavehopper → Wild Water Racer → Learn C1 → Try C2
The day has been shaped to feel welcoming, supportive, and confidence-building. It’s particularly well suited to paddlers who are:
• New to white water
• Curious about Wild Water Racing but unsure where to start
• Confident on flat water and ready for the next step
• Slalom or wavehopper paddlers wanting more time on moving water
• Experienced racers who want a fun, social, high-energy race environment
Juniors, seniors, masters, families, clubs — if you paddle, you belong here.
We’ve already received a lot of enthusiasm from paddlers and clubs, which is fantastic to see. To help make the day accessible, a range of boats will be available to borrow. Please just be aware that many paddlers will be sharing equipment throughout the day, so we simply ask everyone to be flexible, and supportive — very much in the spirit of the event.
Volunteers & Support
To make this event viable and deliver the standard we’re aiming for, we need support from the wider community.
We are looking for:
• Marshals
• Bankside safety
• On-water safety support
If your club can help — even by bringing one coach or volunteer to support delivery — it would make a huge difference to the smooth running and enjoyment of the day for everyone.
If you have volunteers willing to help, please reply to this email.
Next Steps
• Please enter via the Wild Water Racing website: https://www.wildwater.org.uk/race/lee-valley-legacy-project-white-water-experience-wildwater-race