Schools Out

Spring is finally here and college has just finished up for Easter. That’s two weeks off, well that’s what they say and then they give you 7 assignments, but I decided to head west to where the Irish water was, to get the as much paddling as possible before I had to sit in the library for hours on end.



So I packed my gear and hopped into the jeep, and off to the west cost I went. There were only a few spots working out west, so we headed off to them for a few days play.



The plan was to head to Galway and paddle at Tuam, a river hole and then off to Clifden, which is a tidal hole and in my opinion the best play-spot in Ireland. The group were really going for it, it was sweet.There is nothing better than driving across Ireland when the weather is good. The sunsets can be unreal and especially after the last storms of winter.



It was good to meet up with old friends and go for a paddle, but it is March in Ireland and it was bloody cold , and mitts were the order of the day. Four days with two sessions each has me beat and sadly feckin’ college work beckoned me back home, but not long till National Champs and more road trips…. Till then I’m out… DC

The National Student Rodeo 2008

This weekend saw probably the biggest freestyle event ever in UK (may be even in the world?!) take place at the whitewater course at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham. It was my third and final time taking part in the National Student Rodeo. This year's pirate themed event had in the region of 670 students from across the country competing for their universities.

Me in the Expert Women's Final - photo John Wood

Yarr - My attempt at being a Pirate

Last year's big bosses - Adam and Sara

Second place expert sailor boy - Alan Ward

As for results, I guess the full ones will be posted on www.nationalstudentrodeo.com at some point soon. The nicest guy in freestyle, David Bainbridge of Nottingham stormed into first place in both the C1 and Expert Men's categories, Nottingham Trent took the overall winning university title and I won the Expert women's class. My final was held in the looping pool feature, with Sara James taking 3rd place and Molly Crisp paddling well into 2nd. It was great fun and I'm stoked to have won; but I do feel kind of sad to have finished my time in the NSR!

Dave Bainbridge - the winnarrr

Prize Giving

Organised by the lovely Nick Norwood and Tim Trew along with the rest of the crew from Leeds University, NSR 2008 was another great success, a huge congratulations and thanks to all those involved!