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Leach displays to provide backdrop for extreme canoe slalom contest

British Canoeing artwork by Leach

Large-format creative displays from one of the world’s most experienced graphics companies, are set to provide a vibrant backdrop to an extreme canoe slalom competition at London’s iconic Lee Valley White Water Centre.

Huddersfield-headquartered Leach was announced as the venue dressing partner for the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, back in January 2019.

But in addition to the 1200sqm of bespoke materials that Leach will manufacture and install around the 2012 Olympic legacy venue, 400 additional graphics have now been added to the brief to help set the scene for this rapidly-emerging sport.

Extreme slaloms see four athletes ascend a 4m high ramp before dropping into the white water for a 300m sprint paddle to the finish. In addition, the traditional ICF canoe slalom will take place across the three-day event, where the world’s best canoeists will be competing for gold.


Artworking and production is now underway at Leach’s 30,000sqft HQ, to prepare the perimeter graphics and a 5m x 2.5m lightbox that will illuminate the competitors’ starting blocks for each canoe slalom sprint.

Commenting on the brief, Leach’s head of projects Tom Foster said: “We have been engaging imaginations, worldwide, for more than a century. And, by combining over 125 years of experience with a passion for creating truly wow-factor environments, our expertise is increasingly being sought for some of the most iconic graphic display schemes in the world.

“This sporting event has just got even more exciting with the announcement of the extreme slalom – we can’t wait to transform the look and feel of the venue to deliver the best possible spectator experience.”

The 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup will take place on 14-16 June.

“Day one of the event is already sold out, with only 500 tickets remaining for days two and three,” added Tom. “This just shows how much of a buzz exists around British canoeing – it’s a pleasure to be involved.”

For further information or to secure the final remaining tickets for the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, please visit the British Canoeing website. The 2020 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships will be held at the same venue on 15-17 May 2020.