National student rodeo

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A freestyle kayaking event in the UK hosted by Leeds University Canoe Club; the National Student Rodeo is probably the biggest freestyle kayaking event ever with nearly 600 entrants, from over 30 universities in 2007. It is held annually at Holme Pierrepont (HPP) National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. The name harks back to the 'olden days' of kayaking, when freestyle was referred to as 'rodeo' - although a renaming was briefly considered in 2004, 'The Rodeo' has stayed true to it's roots.

Despite the highly demanding nature of organising events such as this, the National Student Rodeo has always (and always will) be organised and run by a group of willing and enthusiastic volunteers. The 'Rodeo Bosses' are responsible for not only booking the venue and getting universities to turn up, but also arranging camping, finding sponsors, promoting the event and organising the other myriad of jobs necessary. Event safety, first aid, judging, commentary, bar staffing and general 'gophering' are all dealt with by happy, enthusiastic members of LUUCC, River Legacy and other fantastic volunteers.

The focus of the competition has always been on the "fun" aspect of the sport, in order to encourage participation from novice paddlers. This is mirrored in the prize-giving ceremonies, where the best prizes are saved for the novice and intermediate categories. However this is not to say that competition in the expert finals is not fierce. Many of the UK's best freestyle paddlers have competed at the event, notably Dickie Chrimes, James Barnes, Alan Ward, Sam Ward (no relation), Emily Wall, Claire O'Hara and Lowri Davies amongst others.

Events run in the 2007 NSR were:

Extreme Slalom - All competitors for K1 and C1 (Men's and Women's) enter this event to be seeded for the heats.
Men's Novice K1
Men's Intermediate K1
Men's Expert K1
Women's Novice K1
Women's Expert K1
C1
Squirt
Topo Duo
Open event

Long-term sponsors of the NSR have been Desperate Measures canoe and kayak shop, Palm / Dagger UK, Pyranha and, more recently, PGL. Many of the sponsors donate hugely both in money and prizes for the events.

While the competition takes up the daytime schedule of the Rodeo, most students attend for the parties that take place on the Friday and Saturday night in the rugby club and marquee. While Friday night sees most of the universities arriving on site around 8PM, there is still plenty of fun to be had, and the bars stay open until 2AM. However, Saturday is the big party organised by the River Legacy, and sees all of the participants in their fancy dress finery attending. The festival atmosphere and legendary parties earn the Rodeo its place as the best student kayaking event of the year.

Other highlights of the weekend include 'Up-time':the time of day when all competitors are woken up from their slumbers (normally with the aid of a megaphone) to make sure that they attend their heats and fit into the hectic schedule that results from the fact that the organisers must fit in time for over 500 competitors to have at least two runs down the course.