Saturday, October 20, 2007

Ramp session on the Ottawa


After nearly two months, I managed to get out of Toronto and back up to the Ottawa. My mother is over visiting so I decided to show her where I had worked during the summer. Paddling up in Ottawa in the Fall is really breathtaking, the leaves on the trees start to turn a beautiful brown and you have the river completely too yourslef.



Myself, mum, Corey Volt, Joel and Katie Kowalski braved the elements and took to the water at about 10am, we started with a nice ramp session and then ran the river. It was a lovely break from Toronto and college, mum hadn't been out on the water in 5 years so we thought things were going to be interesting but she sailed it.





I was in a Jackson Super Fun today, I'm 200lbs and despite the 70 gallons the boat was easy to throw moves of the ramp, and it surfed nice on what is left of the waves on the Ottawa, I wass quite suprised, but if your looking for a river-running playboat and you weigh 200lbs and over, weather its beacuse you used to play rugby or if you've just been lax of late this is a nice wee boat for you. Out for now, DC

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The 2007 British Championships

The 2007 British Championships was held on alongside the Plastic Fantastic Alp Kit Kayak Series at Nottingham. The top ten paddlers from the Saturday went through to the semi final of the British Champs on the Sunday, then 10 dropped to five for the knock out final.



The comp was held in the Muncher at HPP. Due some changes on the whitewater corse the muncher has not been the same as it was in the good old days, still with the water level raised the hole seemed to take form and start to resemble it's old self. Air loops, Tricky Wu's, Phonix Monkeys and McNasty's were the choice of moves for the day, seeing some amazing rides from James 'Pringle' Bebbington, Ross Montandon, the Brayfield brothers and many more.

David Bainbridge showed why he's European Champion by pulling some awesome moves to take the C1 title.

In the Womens, Flea Jarvie pushed into first place with some very consistent rides, with Jen Chrimes hot on her tail.

Flea cleaning up

Ross Montandon managed to pull it of in his final ride even with a popped deck to take the win in the junior men's class.

Ross on a roll

The Men's was tough seeing Ed Smith, Me and Pringle down to the top 3 in the knock out final having said goodbye to Adam Norfolk and Chris Chapman in 5th and 4th place respectively.
Ed went out in 3rd seeing some big air loops and very consistent rides. I came 2nd and therefore it was a well deserved 1st place for Pringle, every Phonix Monkey and Mc Nasty done to perfection.
Also well done to Emily Wall and Pringle for winning the overall Alp Kit series 2007.

Me and Pringle in the final

Thanks to Jim from Alp Kit, Sneaky pete and Tim Raa for judging.

The Prize giving

Photos provided by Peter Meares and Ian Burt