Blog

It’s been a great few days at the National White Water Centre providing training sessions for the GB Team/Squad athletes…

We currently have Mitch Taylor (Australian Freestyle Team) over training with Claire O’hara. We decided to hit the river today. Although Mitch paddles regularly on the Penrith Whitewater Stadium, this was his first ever day on a real river. A crazy mix of sun, rain, hail and snow meant awesome levels and beautiful light and a rainbow over the main falls – Happy Days!     

Epic first day back on the water in the UK today at Cayton Bay with the awesome Dennis Newton. 4-5ft waves, perfectly clean swell, sunshine and no sharks it was insane. The day was non stop and the perfect waves just kept rolling in. Den set the bar high from the start showing me how it was done throwing move after move. Then it was my turn and within just the first few rides I hit Read more

Perfect river levels for a 5 Star Whitewater Leadership Assessment in Scotland. We managed to squeeze in five classic runs – happy days! The 5 Star leadership award is the appropriate qualification for paddlers who wish to lead groups on advanced river journeys in white water kayaks. For more information on this course and other BCU Star Award courses please click here.    

Feels like I’ve barely had time to catch my breath since coming back from Uganda with the ADP -world of Champions. Once again enjoyed working with Andrew Jackson – exchanging new ideas and refining old ones to bring the best out of the athletes. This year was dominated by the Ladies, a reflection of a definite drive for excellence in the ladies freestyle once again this year.  Training sessions often looked like the ladies final Read more

The new Helixir 2015 drops bigger bombs! You’ll be able to try the new shape during the Eurocup in Plattling (we’ll have test boats for M and L sizes), make sure you give it a go! Photo by Dennis Newton, who helped me rising my game during the World of Champions – ADP Program Camp. Sponsors; Kokatat Watersports Wear, Snap Dragon, Werner Paddles, Guigui Prod, SportHG and System X.      

Sweetwater Coaching Kayak class in Uganda finds Claire O’hara and Adriene Levknecht taking notes as Dennis Newton explains the wave’s dynamic nature… Welcome to the new world of advanced skills instruction using science, education and experience to teach GOOD kayakers to be even better!        

Uganda video is done! Big thanks to all the boys for such good times on and off the water! Sponsors; Palm Equipment, Werner Paddles, Pyranha Kayaks, DEMSHITZ, Shred Ready and Sweetwater Coaching

Great to be back in the UK for a little while, going to be a busy 3 weeks, with a mix of river guiding and coaching courses before heading over to Uganda for our ADP-World of Champions freestyle camp. Big shout to Kokatat Watersports Wear for keeping me warm!        

Whilst in New Zealand I had the pleasure of coaching some great athletes including rising star Anna Bruno. A very talented river runner from the USA who’s also decided to see how far she can take her freestyle paddling. Anna has the same drive I see in the top competitors and her learning pace is phenomenal. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of her on the competition circuit soon. It’s shaping up to be another Read more