Fluid Dynamics Analysis Of A Kayak Slalom Whitewater Course

Kayak Slalom is a fast-paced, dynamic sport that takes place on artificial white watercourses. Irish athletes are at a distinct disadvantage as there are currently no training facilities within the country that can match the quality of the artificial whitewater courses used in international competitions, then been forced to travel abroad to these courses across Europe. The cost associated with these training camps is extremely high as athletes must transport not only themselves but also all the necessary equipment. Because of this, athletes are forced to spend less time at these courses for training camps and prior to large competitions. The main aim of this study is to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis as a performance enhancement tool for these athletes within training facilities on their doorstep, which can be used to give the athlete an advantage before traveling to these courses; this will result in athletes needing less preparation in the lead up to these events. Two methods are used in this study: flow visualisation and CFD analysis. CFD analysis was carried out on the London Olympic course to find the optimum path. The course was split into five sections, each of which was analysed individually. A flow visualisation test was carried out on a scaled simplified model of section five as a form of validation of the results gathered from the previous CFD analysis. The optimum path for the whitecourse was found and results for section five were coincident using both methodologies, thus proving that the results gathered from the CFD analysis are reliable enough to provide with a training plan for kayak slalom.