Between 7 and 12 September 2010 Ljubljana is to host this year's World Whitewater Kayak and Canoe Slalom World Championships.

350 sportsmen from 70 countries will compete for the title of the best in the world on the rapids of the Sava river in Tacen. Among them are also to be 15 from Slovenia, quite some of whom will be in the running for the top positions. In front of home support, leading Slovene Peter Kauzer is to defend his title as world kayak champion. Slovenian canoeists are renowned as a team that is strong and also a hard nut for other teams to crack in other disciplines and team competitions, and thus we may anticipate intriguing and very exciting canoe battles on the Sava rapids.

The Championships are to officially get underway with the gala opening at 8pm on Tuesday 7 September 2010, in Prešernov Square, whereupon the entire event takes place from Wednesday to Sunday in Tacen.

The Patron of the world championships is the President of Slovenia Dr Danilo Türk, while the honorary president of the organising committee is the Mayor of the City of Ljubljana, Zoran Janković.

The official mascot of Sloka 2010 – the crawfish, which is itself a symbol of clean water, life in the water and around it – is to make sure there is lots of fun and goodwill among supporters. The crawfish is a creature that simultaneously works confidently and aggressively, and on the other hand, is lively and very similar to the real competitors.

 

SLOKA as a 'kayaking festival'

For a complete kayak atmosphere throughout the tournament there will be interesting accompanying activities, via which you will have the opportunity to get to know something different about kayaking.

Kayaking exhibition

The heart of Ljubljana is to receive a special kayaking image – the sky above Prešeren Square and Stritarjeva Street will be decorated with artistically designed kayaks from the Kayart exhibition, the work of Spanish artist Armengola Tolse Badia.

Children supporting the sportsmen

The organisers, together with the Institute for Fair Play and Tolerance in Sport are to run a project in Tacen called 'Supporting all Sportsmen', via which they seek to ensure that all competitors will feel at home on the Tacen canoeing course. More than 3,000 children from Slovenian primary schools will take part in the overall event, which will be particularly oriented towards the creation of a genuine international canoeing spirit.

 

Ticket sales
 

A characteristic of Sloka 2010 is ticket sales, which will apply to everyone – including organisers, sponsors, volunteers, visitors and VIP guests. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales bought by the organisers will be donated to local community campaigns. The price of day tickets will be from €5 onwards, with children under 12 getting in for half price.

Spectators may buy tickets from any Eventim outlet, at Petrol service stations and other business partners that are part of the Eventim sales network. Tickets can also be secured via their website www.eventim.si or on site from the start of the world championships.

SLOKA 2010 is to be one of the year's premier sporting events not just in the capital but also in the whole of Slovenia, which will, via the overall programme – competitive and accompanying – make sure it's a real canoeing 'festival' on whitewater. Come along and use your support to help our canoeists to do their best on the Sava rapids.