Me looping like a headless chicken!!
After a busy year of rafting and working I decided to enter my first kayak event of the year! The Alpkit challenge had reached its finale and was run in conjunction with the British Championships. I wasn’t holding much hope for the freestyle element as I had just returned from injury and I had only been in my new Fluid Nemesis once before the weekend. I was however fired up for the boto-x, having managed to acquire a super speedy Riot Magnum for the weekend. The Saturday went swimmingly with the first round of the boto-x out of the way and a back door entrance into the British champ finals on the Sunday.
Model Terry Best judging one of the upstream gates in the final.
The Saturday night activities included a splendid pie and mash supper, with potluck flavours and vegetarian options, much to the disgust of some of the bunny huggers!! This was followed swiftly by the third instalment of the Money Shot Video Competition. An amateur video night with kayaking and plenty of laughs being the key to win the money. The standard this year was high with a three-figure cash prize up for grabs, after an awesome intro video to the competition, made by me, Jennifer Chrimes came out on top and took the money, closely followed by Emily Wall and Alan Ward.
Money Shot lll - intro videoMy introduction video to the Money Shot, if you want to see any of the other entries, you'll have to join 'The Money Shot' Facebook Group
The Sunday events started early with another round of the Boto-x before the semi finals of the freestyle, both went well with a strong win and a controlled run to take me to the finals of both. As time was running short all the winners from the Boto-x went straight into the final making it an 8-up affair, nice, and they added an extra gate just to intensify the battle. I managed to get a good start and lead into the first gate followed very closely by 7 angry men!! This battle carried on to the last gate, which I managed to take sweetly and then break out underneath Ben Stone as he broke in?! The Milton Brothers chased me all the way to the line, but I managed to hang on for the win.
The 8-up Boto-x final and the carnage that went with it. Ben Stone trying to 'mount' me as I exit the looping pool eddie!!
Twenty minutes later I was in my Nemesis for the Brit Champ finals, after two storming practice runs, I decided it would be best to spend most of my run time paddling up the eddy!! This meant I was knocked out first and had to watch from the bank. The rest of the final was tight with some super paddling from Ed Smith and Jon Best; they couldn’t however match the consistency and precision of The Pringle, James Bebbington, who styled it for his first National Championships. In the other categories Flea Jarvie took the ladies title after a very close fought final with Jenny Chrimes and Lowri Davies. The big man Ross Montandon took the juniors and Dave Bainbridge the kneely uppers!
Brony Devoy ripping in the ladies qualifiers
Dave Bainbridge, National and European kneely upper champion.
Thats me that is...Loopy loop.
Jon Best washing his hair while styling a Wu'ski.
Ed going large in the Muncher as usual.
National Champion, Bebbington.
The face of determination, going for a cheeky entry.
Pringle popping points.
Photos courtesy of:
Ian BurtAndy Hurford
Here's a picture of the bottom
Here's on one of the back of the boat
This is a picture of the front of the boat
This is the boat from one side...
...and one from the other
If you look here, you'll be looking onto the boat
Bob and Debs at home route finding in the hills
Me looping like a headless chicken!!
Model Terry Best judging one of the upstream gates in the final.
The 8-up Boto-x final and the carnage that went with it. Ben Stone trying to 'mount' me as I exit the looping pool eddie!!
Brony Devoy ripping in the ladies qualifiers
Dave Bainbridge, National and European kneely upper champion.
Thats me that is...Loopy loop.
Jon Best washing his hair while styling a Wu'ski.
Ed going large in the Muncher as usual.
National Champion, Bebbington.
The face of determination, going for a cheeky entry.
Pringle popping points.
