Mike's

We are stuck in Sao Paulo.  Well not really us but the boats are.  Customs won’t allow us to take them so we are chillin and letting the powers that be…whoever they are…sort out the mess.

 

We arrived Friday, a national holiday, and that’s when things started.  Customs can’t release anything on holidays or weekends.  So Monday was our starting point.

 

Saturday we had the bright idea to try and find the beach.  Without a map we headed out.  After driving in more or less the right direction we started seeing mirages, literally.  ‘It’s just over the hill…or the next’.  We pulled into a big town and felt that we were minutes to the beach.  At a stop light we pulled up next to a Discover Channel Bike Team jeep.  Michal leaned out and asked ‘where’s the beach’.  “are you kidding”  the guy said.  ‘No’.  ‘ahh, just keep going’.  Ya right, nothing felt good so we tried a different direction and eventually found an old battered map on a gas station wall.  Some guy gave us sort of directions, which we followed for another couple hours.  When 11million people try to go to the beach it is busy.  We should have known we weren’t on the right route earlier because there was no traffic.  Eventually, after hours in traffic, driving through a cloud forest, we wound our way down to the coast. 

 

First we ended up at a dodgy locals beach, which we exited pretty quick, only to park in another ghetto.  This one was a bit more promising because we saw surfers in the water.  After climbing over a berm we found the Promised Land.  Well again, not really but it was a bit better.  There were tourists and a surf comp.  Not much to write home about.  The highlight of the trip so far was Thomas and Daniel’s surf lesson.  They both managed to stand up right away on like 13ft boards, and they had a good time.  They are now affectionately know as ‘the surfers’.

 

It only took 3 hours to get home, along with the 11million again.  The big hills through the cloud forest claimed many old cars.  We counted over thirty cars broken at the side of the road.  A few were just stopped to beer from the back of the car, so the drive would be more interesting, but many were little old beaters.

 

Sunday we were too scared and decided we’d better use the gym and pool and rest for the epic drive to Foz, once we got the boats Monday morning.  Ya right. 

 

Monday left us in awe of the Brazilian customs system.  Right off the bat we went into customs expecting to walk out with our boats.  ‘Full Problem’ was the customs guys English.  ‘Full Problem’.  I tried using my Jedi mind tricks on him 'there is no problem here'  but it didn't work, damn!.  We should have listened to the organizers, because now we are doing it their way anyway.  Monday consisted of hanging out in the Air Canada office and then eating.  Back and forth.  To their credit, the guys at AC have gone to all ends for us.  Thanks Marcelo.  He not only spent his whole day today working on our situation, but he is going to come in tomorrow on his day off to continue the saga.  That’s what I call dedication.

 

So now we are in the hands of SAX logistics, a broker, who will try and get things moving swiftly.  Because all the documents we had are in the wrong name, those have to get changed, normally a 14day process, and then customs has to let us have our boats.  Our best guess is tomorrow afternoon to release the captives.  At least everyone will be well rested.  

If you are reading this you are either very lost or a very dedicated friend who knew that someday i'd get guilted into writting again.  I saw Ricky with a post a day and just couldn't let him get away with it.

 

I'm in Chicago Ohare Airport for the next 7hourse waiting for my connection on Sao Paulo, Brazil.  In some crazy twist of fate I have ended up going to the Worlds afterall, but this time as coach.  I volunteered my holidays to help our Team Canada.  It will be a great experience for me to be on the other side of the sport at a major event and I'm excited to do everything I can to make it a successfull race for the athletes.  The C2's and Women are all mine.  Unfortunately Sara Potvin injured herself in Beijing.  Sarah (bowwow) Boudens, The Cutts brothers, and the Pucell Brothers are under my Dictatorship.  Not really.  I'm super stoked as, for both C2's it is thier first Worlds.  Sarah is a veteran and I'm looking forward to finding the magic I saw in Czech last year.

 

I had to travel on my British passport because my Canadian one with Brazillian Visa didn't arrive in time.  It was kind of funny, because as some of you know, I don't have much in the way of fingerprints (dry skin).  As a non-North American I had to get my picture taken and get my prints scanned.  First he couldn't even tell I had my finger on the pad.  He had me wiping my forehead, licking my finger, using some fingerprint inducing cream...nothing.  Just a giant smudge.  Hopefully the next time I come back my smudges match.  Then they stole my shower gel.  Ya I should have known better, but I didn't have any checked baggage to put it in.  Which reminds me, it is amazing how easy it is to travel without a boat and paddles.

 

K, i'm off to explore the airport.

 

5 liters per 100km t 91 cents a liter (diesel) = goodness.  I guess we're not supporting the Alberta economy though eh.  Tough!

I must say I feel a lot like Craig Allen at his first Worlds in Australia.  There, he read his first book, ate a bunch of new foods and of course attended his first Worlds.

 

Well in the last two weeks i've my fair share of firsts.  So last week I ran the Ottawa.  First time.  Yesterday I played a soft ball game.  First time (and my legs are killing me to prove it, we lost).  Today I bought a new car.  First time (VW Jetta TDi, oh so sweet).  And last but not least I ran a waterfall this evening.  First time (though it wasn't huge it was pretty fun, Elbow falls with a big group including David Manning, Chris McT and Saskia).

 

Who knew I would get so much stuff acomplished in my retirement.  We also hung new gates on the Glenmore reservoir this afternoon so I can get on with making these kids World Champions.

 

Now i'm just looking for excuses to drive my car around. 

Well I finally did it!  I paddle the mighty Ottawa river.  Its crazy it took so long to get around to it, but it was worth it.  Thank you James for dragging me out. 

 

The level was 3.something.  I was feeling a bit rusty in a kayak but got my form back at Wakiki.  Jamie said it was the best he'd seen it.  It was pretty sweet.  The Ottawa was not what I expected, i'm used to western rivers like the Thompson, but i can see why the lakes followed by a rapid would be a great place to learn to paddle.

 

Last weekend was also the Junior Team Trials in Valleyfield, Quebec.  It was a good turn out and a great way for me to get my feet wet as the Alberta coach.  I have a great group of athletes to work with.  Congratulations to Ben and Breanne who will be competeing at the Junior Pre-Worlds in July.

 

I also had the priveledge to do Demo runs at the race.  Not in K1, not in C2 but C1!  It was the first time i've ever paddled C1 and I think I was pretty useful.  I'll have to get a boat and train up.  I understand why all you C1's like it so much.

 

Saturday, I'm moving to Calgary.  I guess I'd better stop Blogging and get my life in order.

 

Cheers

After Much thought and consideration I have chosen to retire from competitive canoe/kayak after 15 years.  I am extremely excited to be taking up a new role within the community, as Alberta's High Performance Coach.

 

I began writing a long Thank You to everyone who has ever helped me in this sport but I didn’t feel I could really cover everyone and everything you have all done for me.  So to everyone I’ve met along the way Thank You!

 

The Home Depot, BMO Nesbitt Burns (Ottawa), Valley Laser Eye Center, and several private donors have been wonderful contributor to my journey as an athlete.  Thank you.

 

Of course a Big thank you to my family is in order.  They have supported me from the start, in pursuing this crazy passion of mine.   

 

I have had so many coaches who have helped me race faster and have improved who I am.  Thank you.  Shaun Pierce (still my sounding board on many issues); Jiri Prskvec (for making our short C2 career enjoyable); Roy Sharplin (and all the parents in Alberta who drove me to Kananaskis on weekends to train); Vincent Redon; Larry Norman; and others, have all been inspirational to me and have contributed to my success as a person.     

Keith Klapstein said it best. ‘it is the friends I will remember most’.  I have been incredibly lucky to have traveled all over the world, with a great group of people all of whom agree that paddling fast down a river is an important way to spend our time.  I will miss our crazy road trips to Spain listening to ridiculous Spanish music.  Driving windy alpine roads and snowball fights in the Alps and Pyrenees.  Getting out of traffic tickets in the ‘east’.  Around Australia on, and off motorbikes.  Dashes south to Charlotte and California.  Kebabs, swimming late at night in the ice canal, Ramblas, Euro Sport/Tour de France, watching Slovakia ‘grow up’, Tom’s cabin, Nice, going to airports with ‘river boards’, Bandit tour, the occasional rainy day in Chilliwack,  etc…

 A Huge Thank you Tom for the last six Months of training in C2.  I've learned more about myself and the sport in that period than any other year.  It was a wonderful experience to have shared with you.  Good luck with your own goals and keep pumping out Canadian made slalom boats.

Through this whole process I’ve met so many wonderful people, from all over the world, all of whom have had an impact on my life, especially my wife Lina.  You are all welcome at our houses any time, and I warn you, Lina and I will probably drop by sometime in the near future.

 

To everyone racing: good luck this year and going forward.

Its been a week and a half since Team Trials and much has happend. 

 

Tom and I raced well at Team trials and won the second day outright, making our percentage and securing our spot on the team.  The third day a tricky flush gate was our undoing.  Overall we had a great weekend of racing and did a good job putting what we learn on the water.

 

It was a great weekend of racing and a BIG thanks goes out to the Angela and the US organizing committee.  It was a top notch event and I think speaks of good things to come in Slalom in North America.

 Results can be found at:  http://www.whitewatercanada.ca/results.htm  C2

 

Our first run was borderline and with a couple of easy fixes on our second run we would be in.  Unfortunately our second run we managed to blow by a gate by inches and had a nasty judge on another gate.  In any case the one we blew by like an un-conducted freight train was legitimate.  We certainly have the pace, we just need to maintain our focus throughout. 

 

Saturday's course has a lot more bite to it.  If we want to make percentage today we are going to have to be on our A-game.

 

 

This week is the week all althetes look forward to all year.  The week before Team Trials.  Tensions run high, and people either paddle brilliantly or not, depending on how well they are able to deal with the pressure.  So far Tom and I are doing pretty well at keeping our stresses together.  It is nice to be in Charlotte, our 'home course'.  We've moved to a different hotel too which is great except they don't have the hockey on!?!?!  We'll have to find somewhere else to watch Game 7 tonight.  come on canucks...

 

Last weekend we finished second in the BIG cash event in DC.  That was pretty sweet cause we were able to make some cash for the rest of our trip.  I find it funny that the first money i've ever made in 14 years of racing was in C2.  In any case it was a good warm up.  We were pretty conservative in our lines, seeing as i'd never been there before, but you can rest assured we won't have the same problem here.

 

Now we relax and watch the show, paddle well during our sessions, and wait till we hear 3,2,1,GO!

 

Oh ya, and i'm planning to race some kayak too.  Should be interesting, I haven't been paddling kayak since last August so we'll see if I still remember how.  Here are a few pics from the week.

So which is better?  One give you the relaxed easy pace of the Pensylvania Amish, while the other gives you speed that is hard to match with solid wood wheels.  The 227 Hp does't give you the gas mileage of the Yaris, though it certainly uses less hay and leaves less mess on the road.  The Single horse may produce some harmful methane but certainly less polutants than the WRX.  I think though if you look at methane to MPH the Rex might be more efficient.   

 

Certainly for a 13hr drive to Charlotte the 227Hp of the Rex is far better.  Right, so Tom got a new toy, i mean car.

 

We are down in Charlotte for one week training, our last trip before we come down for Team Selections.  So far so good.  We are heeps better on Charlotte than we were in December, so we must have learned something in Aus.  We will train here for the week and then head to NOC for a race this weekend.  It isn't quite the same water as Charlotte but it'll be a good start line and there will be lots of boats there.

Saturday we finally had a good day at the beach!  The weather was warm with just enough wind for Tom to get his kite in the air.  We went down and met Kynan and Stace and the remaining Brits.  Etienne decided it would be a good idea to be burried alive, all except his arms.  With tissue in his ears and nose we covered him up just long enough to take a few pictures.  Unfortunately my hands were sandy so i didn't get any.  Needless to say it was a bit disconserting at the moment we covered him completely.  I caught a few waves on the body board but mostly just hung out and enjoyed my day off.   

 

Training has been amazing.  We have been training as hard as I ever have and it feels like things are progressing so quickly.   Tom has even been running!  If you know Tom you know that that in itself is quite an accomplishment.   I can't wait to get back to Charlotte and have our way with it.  Even though Jiri, our coach, is not with us it is great to know we have someone behind us again.  It has been awhile since i've had that.  It brings so much confidence and pushes us harder.  Hopefully the rest of the Canadian system can catch back up and provide that kind of support to all its athletes.

 

Cheers All!

Yup its that day of year.  Unfortunately i'm not with my valentines.

 

Monday after the races we had a day off and went to the beach.  Now you are probably thinking 'yaya quit rubbing it in'.  In fact the weather reminded me of Chilliwack and i was wetter on the land than in the water.  Tom did manage to get out in the surf with his kite board which made him really happy.  Kynan and I just huddled on the shore watching and occaisionally rescuing Tom and his kite from the seaweed. 

 

The day was worth it though because Kynan and Stace had us over to their little shack near the beach for some sushi, wine, and catching up.  Hopefully next time the weather will be better.  Four more days of training then we can go back.  The weather has improved significantly and should be good for our next excursion saturday.

 

We've picked up bits of technical information from a few people, as well as some video of ourselves (thanks Craig, Toby and Heli).   Now we've got some skills to work on and the next time we meet the Hochshorners at a race we'll take 'em.  maybe out to dinner, to the beach...

 

There are also some new pics in the albums on the right.  Cheers!

It is amazing what happens when there is a little money on the line.  Both days of racing had some good paddling from all classes.  No one was overly dominant over two days but there were a few performances that were pretty impresive.  Eoin tore it up in day one winning his cash in Lefevre-like dominance of over 7seconds.  It was some of the nicest paddling to watch.  Campbell was equal to the challenge on day two and ran away with the grand on the line.

 

The Slovak C2's traded up wins as we cut our teeth in our first proper race.  Day 1 went well for us.  We ended up 7th, behind a decent pack of international boats.  Ten seconds in penalties hurt but wouldn't have changed the outcome.  We were within percentage which was good to see.  Day two we were again solid, save the second to last gate which we failed to negotiate.  We'll have to work on that. 

 

Today the rest of the canadian contingent leave us.  We will be on our own to battle with the americans, for a week, and the Slovaks.  The Slovaks have four C2's here so we can learn a little from them.  With some luck we will be able to match up our schedules with the aussies so we can do some sessions with Lachie and Mark.

 

Off to the beach today so Tom and get out on the Kite board.  Cheers.

So here it is.  Australia take 9.  I had a fairly interesting, by flight standards, trip.  We drove to the Montreal Airport for 6:30 am in a bit of a snow storm.  Lina dropped us off and got home about 6pm.  Ouch.  I guess our car doesn’t like her.  She ended up having to get a couple of rides to finally get back to Ottawa, Thanks John. 

 

While waiting in the Montreal Airport about ten of the biggest black dudes I have ever seen walked by.  I assumed they were a football team or something till I saw a rat like creature in the middle of them.  Lo and behold there is Snoop Dogg.  Unfortunately he didn’t get on our plane but he made quite a stir in the airport.

 

I had 9 hours in LA where I ate some great Mexican and a big bread bowl of clam chowder.  One thing about America, they have good Mexican food, and chowda.

 

The flights themselves were mellow.  When we finally arrived in Sydney, Tom saw Russell Crowe in the airport.  Talk about a celebrity trip.  Pierre, Chloe and Craig picked us up in the sweet Ford laser.  Whatever gets us around I guess.

 

Paddling has been good so far.  It is so much easier here than in Charlotte.  We are able to rip around without the fear.  I will be curious to see how the race goes.  When things are going well it feels awesome.

 

We went to the beach our second day after the session.  It was quite nice and I managed only to burn my lower back where I didn’t have sunscreen.  I did get stung by a jellyfish.  Not bad, just a little on my foot.  There were hundreds of blue bottles washing in part way through the day.  After that we didn’t go in the water anymore.

 

Besides that our excitement has been going to the mall and email.  Oh well could be worse, we could be in North America freezing our buns off.