Well if you are into kayaking you would know that the Canoe Slalom World Cups have come to completion with the final in Germany. Some of the NZ team have been racing the world cups. Racing in the Mens has become even tighter and it would seem home course advantage always helps. At the final in Germany, the Germans finished 1, 2 and 3 in the mens category!! I was a little bit disappointed not to have raced the world cups but Im happy with my decision not to race them. I think the world rankings are on the ICF website. I am looking forward to getting back over to Europe asap to race the worlds best.

Earlier this week I turned up to my local flatwater training centre, to find a bunch of people in hazard with masks and signs saying warning ‘pest control’. I thought they were there to take some of those dodgy swans away. But I soon found out they are finally trying to get the week under control by spraying something into the water.  In summer the water level used to drop a lot and you couldn’t use the flatwater gates without paddling through weed. Not great when you need to turn and do pivots etc. So now with the bore and weed control the lagoon is going to be back, but you still have to watch your back for those swans!!… So for the past week I have been paddling on the Manawatu river, not that I dont like the paddling on the river but it will be good to get on the flat water gates soon…

I recently received a bunch of new Skins products. I might add they are pretty awesome and the new 400 series is very nice! I have the A400/Active range for training and racing and the RY400/Recovery range for after trainings and between race runs.   The pants are mint for the cold mornings either running or in the boat!

Check out their new range, they also have golf, cycling and heaps of triathlon gear…

Cheers Skins thanks for the support!

Here is I stitched together whist driving out to the river for a training session! Pretty nice huh..No I didnt find a pot of gold or a leprechaun at the bottom of this rainbow… Training has been going well over the last few days, I have been getting really good use of the booties from Day Two. I think they are the key to keeping warm here on these chilly mornings.. I have been getting up early like the rest of the country to watch some awesome football! Man how good was the Italy game. Little disappointed with the penalty. Italy might have sent a few actors rather than football players.?..

I was doing a bit of web surfing last night and found out Peter Kauser has a new website. Its pretty cool with some really nice photos check out more at peterkauser.com.

I also found this pretty cool surfing video on youtube, you will find video to the right of screen…

Today I had a coaching day in Rotorua with Tauranga Boys. Think boys learnt a few things and its great to see some new faces out at the river! Training has been going alright, ticking over the time out at the river.. Its been pretty cold though… I realised it was winter when I drove up yesterday and couldn’t see the mountain but could see snow at the base of it! Ill try get a picture next time! Im back at work tomorrow, bit of a shame as my brother arrives home from his mountain biking tour in Chile, but Im sure ill see him around for a day or two before one of us heads off again….

Earlier this week I caught up with the team at Raiseys Original Sports Supplements. They have cool promotion going for the rest of June, if you order two products they will throw in a free water bottle. Check out their website for more information.

Haha at school we are even teaching kids how to become the legend that is Michal Martikan.. I was looking after a class in the library and came across a student reading a book with this picture on the cover. I was rather shocked to see him on the cover but more shocked with the student reading it…  The book is about Olympic disciples, it showed Slalom, Flatwater and Rowing. Its a pretty light read with a few interesting facts, but probably wouldn’t recommend buying it….. Its no Every Crushing Stroke…

If you want a good read you should go to the library and get out Breaking the Chain.. Its a pretty interesting time for cycling, and will make you question all top cyclists..

Over the weekend Mum had her graduation. We are all proud of her for getting it done!!

I have 2 slalom boats for sale,

1 x Galasport, Toro Evolution used for 10 Months

1 x Vajda, Kapsl 360 Elite Construction

G Power Paddles – I have a Large Twister going cheap.

If you are interested let me know Contact Me

Football World Cup here we come! Well not really but last year some of the surf club boys were convinced to start playing football for our local club Port Hill. Last season we did ok with a bit of structure but mostly just running all over the show. This year has seen a few imports of actual soccer players and I believe a lot of structure and even team training runs. All the work must be paying off for the boys as they are yes, Top of the table!! Not bad for a bunch of surf clubbies who were told that they should be in the division bellow!!!