Team White Water and English Champs

English Championships

Last weekend was very tough, 2 very important races. The first being the annual HPP Head to Head race. Now for those of you who don't know this is a boater cross in slalom boats down a relatively open slalom course. Its chaos and great fun! This year was no exception with lots of crashes and paddle hits going down. Eventually after successfully being in the top two in the qualifications and the semi-final we had myself, Andrew Martin, Tom Wakeling and Robin Vasey in the final. I had a very good start and the others crashing in to each other gave me an early lead which I managed to hold on to, coming first over all :)

A big thanks to Neil Buckly and Greg for organising the event!

Nothing like a good bit of playing :P (photo credits to Beverley Wilkinson)

The next race was the English champs, Many people were abroad this year, so the competition was not a full house.

My first run was pretty quick, with only a few time losses here and there. This time put me in to first place and managed to hold that threw second runs.

I have now gained the title of English Champion for 2011 :)

I have a video of the weekend that ill upload shortly!

This week I have been hard at work “revising” for the impending doom of A-level exams, I have still managed to get my regular training trip to Nottingham and have had a good week mostly in the Gym.

I’m pleased to announce that I am now on the WhiteWater shop team! Im thrilled to be working with Pete Scutt and the guys now J

This weekend I am attending the first Team Training Day at Nottingham, Its a lovely sunny day outside so it should be great fun! I am now thinking I should get ready to leave for the course, as the clock is ticking away so look forward to more updates J

Thanks,
David

http://www.nrsweb.com/

http://pyranha.com/

http://slalom.nelo.eu/

http://gopro.com/

http://lightningpaddlesusa.com/

http://www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk/

Lightning Paddles Review

Lightning Freeride Paddles

My initial thoughts on the blades were how strong the catch was. Being used to slalom blades, I imagined less power but the catch on these blades was solid.

On forward strokes, as previously said, the catch is very strong and you feel a nice connection between blade and water. It feels planted. As the stroke continues back it continues to stay very stable in the water, and provided nice resistance to pull the boat past. Overall this is a very powerful blade even being the smaller of the two lightning non buoyant blades.

The shaft is extremely ovaled, this gave me lots of control with my blade angle. This leads on to how I felt they were on rudders, they sliced surprisingly nicely for a creeking blade, and again the power and connection to the water felt very strong.

After paddling with them more, I am finding that they are a lot easier on the wrists and elbows, due to the nice flex in the blade. They also seem bomb proof, and from the stories that are being told from the testing in Nepal they are!

Thanks for reading,

David Bain

http://www.nrsweb.com/

http://pyranha.com/

http://www.whitewateractive.co.uk/

http://slalom.nelo.eu/

http://gopro.com/

http://lightningpaddlesusa.com/

Selections over, Summer here we come!

So now all my selection races are over, I'm thrilled to have gained a place on the Great Britain Junior team for Slalom and Down River racing, and cant wait to race at the Junior Europeans and Junior worlds in Bosnia and Czech Republic!

Training is in full swing making the final gains before these races, where I hope to be in peak condition.

I have now also got my place for the Sickline Extreme worlds where I will be racing along with some of the other Team Pyranha Guys from the UK.

I have got a road trip planned now for Austria and Slovinia where I shall spend some time creeking

David

http://www.nrsweb.com/

http://pyranha.com/

http://www.whitewateractive.co.uk/

http://slalom.nelo.eu/

http://gopro.com/

http://lightningpaddlesusa.com/