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My paddling over the last few months!

Once again I have managed to neglect my blog writing so I thought an update is long over due!

Over the last few months there have been lots of competitions starting with the Nene YFS. I came 3rd in this event as well as the next YFS Event at the Washburn.

There have also been two British Championship Events the first one being on the 22nd/23rd May. On Saturday morning everyone started arriving for the freestyle event. Two different competitions were being held; the Open Event and Elite Event for all those aiming for GBR Team Selections. The day started with free practice, this enabled the 50 or so competitors who had turned up to have a go at nailing a routine. With demo boats provided by Pyranha the top hole was a mass of colorful boats. Time flies when you’re having fun so it was time to move on to the main competition.

Despite the cold water, the competition was on fire. There were many great rides being thrown down but everyone had to be careful, one unlucky flush and the ride was over due to the small eddies. With great tunes and Seth on the mike everyone was having a great time.

As usual the judges were tough but fair. This rewarded the technical paddlers who were able to make all the ends vertical and loops straight. In the elite men’s event Sam Anderson scored a run away victory with nearly 1000 points obtained from Phoenix Monkeys, Mc Nasties and huge Space Godzillas

Emily Wall led the way in the elite ladies scoring Felixs, Loops and Cartwheels. The junior men’s event is always a close call, with several paddlers all having the skills to win. This event was no different with James ‘Weetabix’ Benns emerging as the winner scoring a very respectable 493 points. I managed to come 5th giving me a place in the final.

The junior ladies struggled in the difficult feature but Kim Aldred managed to make the most of the 45 seconds to take the win.

The ‘Fun Final’ followed for those who had made it into the top 5 of each category. Despite a slight water level problem causing a small delay, those people who stayed to watch once again witness a massive aerial assault from Sam Anderson with Ben Aldred coming second. All of the juniors stayed for another close event, again Benns took the win.

I spent a week at HPP from the 2-6th July, including the PeakUK Sausage Sizzle. This was a fun event with lots going on. During the 5 days up there I learnt to Orbit (back McNasty)... this should help push those scores up. I also improved by Back Loops.

More recently I have been at Boulters Weir competing in the Boulters Weir organized by Jacko and the KJO Team. The weekend (10th/11th) consisted of two events; “British Championship League Event” and the “Youth Freestyle Series”.

On Saturday the British Championship event was held. The C1s were up first and gave the other competitors an opportunity to see what was possible. Jamie Burbeck showed he could throw down taking the top spot! Following the C1 were the Junior Ladies. Kim Aldred took her second win of the series, making her place in the GBR Team for the Plattling Worlds look very likely! The Juniors then took to the dance floor. After all the competitors had shown the judges their moves Bren Orton finished first closely followed by James Benns and myself! The Ladies event was the most closely fought battle of all the categories, with any of the paddlers having the skills to win. Claire O’Hara finished on top by linking together splits and clean ends. Despite the difficult feature Matty Nicholas threw down a 600 point ride beating James Weight and Sam Anderson.

After all the heats a fun final was held to crown the Boulters Rodeo Champion! A big thumbs up must go to Sam A who snapped his Ophion Paddles during his ride but carried on to take the title!

On Sunday it was the turn of the youth paddlers en mass to have a go and get stuck in! Once again Jacko organized the event. The morning consisted of freestyle coaching including; “Preparing the Mind” with Jacko, “Flat Water Freestyle” with GBR coach Sam Ward and “Competition Rides” with the GBR Junior Team. With Demo boats provided by Pyranha everyone was having a whale of a time! After lunch it was time to put the newly learnt skills into practice. Big smiles, paddle spins and enders scored highly in the novice event! If it is your first freestyle event the novice category is perfect... the aim being have fun! In the main competition noticeable performances came from James Weight, Brendon Orton, Jake winning their categories! I managed to finish 3rd again. With lots of prizes given away from the sponsors; Dagger, Big Dog, SquareRock, Palm, Pyranha, KJO, K3 and DM, everyone got something from the day whether it was some new skills or a nose plug!

A big thanks must go to Jacko and the KJO team for organizing the event!

Over the next week I am heading up to HPP for another week of training... hopefully I should dial some new moves!

See you on the water

Josh
www.pgl.co.uk
www.canoeandkayakstore.co.uk

Posted by Josh Wedgwood