Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Chilliwack Training Camp

Well I guess it didn't help that Jess and Connor didn't go to the Rich Weiss Cup, but they won it in the hearts of the voters. Paul, Chris, and Matt were 2nd, 3rd and 5th, while Graham won the Junior men's with AJ and Levi 3rd and 4th. Haley and Marissa were 3rd and fourth over all while Marrisa was 2nd in Junior. The Purcells looked impressive in C2.

Chilliwack was great...if you like rain, cold and good water. Two training camps went on simultaneously and everyone had great training. The Alberta athletes on the National and Development Teams worked with Michal Staniszewski, Canada's Head Coach, while the rest of the HP athletes worked with me, Mike.

The National group worked hard and their results show good improvement over the winter. It was excellent to have Michal's expertise around. It was a nice break for me to have smaller groups and focus on some technique with my 5.


Our one afternoon off I treked up Elk Mt with Seo. Tons of snow and trail finding made for a fun hike and great views.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Sundre Pool Slalom & Polo

Great Weekend!

59 people competed in Slalom and Polo competitions on Saturday and Sunday in Sundre. At least half were under 18 and both events ran smoothly. A huge thanks to Keegan and the Sundre Club for organizing the event. Thanks to Cottonwood, AWA, ASCK & individuals for boats, gates and support during the clinics and competitions. Well done Connor and Hayden for your team's win in the polo! Next time...

Chelsey gets help from Christy with a Slalom deck.
Keegan and Scott getting ready to race
Jessica on her way to victory!

Dan and Hayden duel in C1
K1 boys neck in neck
The big boys playing polo
Connor learning how to ref from Jesse
JJ working on some stroke tech on the PaddleOne
Morning clinics in full swing. Watch out for each other!
Slalom Results
Kayak Boys - age under 14 - 1st JJ (Innisfail), 2 Connor Bourgonje (Sundre), 3 Darius Rattan (Innisfail)

Kayak Girls - age under 14 - 1st Chelsey Campkin (Sundre), 2 Katrina Devisser (Sundre), 3 Lissy Methorst (Sundre)

Kayak Mens - 1st Mike Holroyd (Calgary), 2 Connor Curson (Innisfail), Scott Forbes (Edmonton)

Kayak Women - 1st Jessica Groenveld (Innisfail), 2 Kristina O'brien (Edmonton), 3 Marissa Dererer (Calgary)

Canoe Single Men - 1st Thomas Purcell (Innisfail), 2 Daniel Purcell (Innisfail), 3 Hayden Daniels (Calgary)

Canoe Single Women - 1st Jessica Groenveld (Innisfail), 2 Ashley Cunningham (Innisfail), 3 Hannah Gillies (Innisfail)

Canoe Double - 1st Thomas & Daniel Purcell (Innisfail), 2 Mike Holroyd & Connor Curson (Calgary/Innisfail) 3 Keegan Smith & Richard Allen (Sundre/Edmonton)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Sundre Pool Slalom & Polo - March 14/15


We're excited to confirm that Sundre will host a combined Slalom / Kayak Polo pool event MARCH 14-15 THIS YEAR!

The fun will start Saturday morning, with an 8-11 clinic session (choose the polo clinic or the slalom clinic.)

After a break for lunch and rest, we'll spend the afternoon and evening playing 3on3 polo (2-10pm). Teams will be created on site.

Sunday morning we start bright and early (7am) for a slalom show-down that runs until 11am.

(*Times are subject to wiggle depending on participants*)

The community center (1 block from the pool) will be available for lodging (bring a sleeping pad and bag) on both Friday and Saturday night for a fee.

We hope that this event will offer both beginners and experienced paddlers a chance to learn, have fun, and maybe try something new.

Cost for the entire event will be $30-45 (TBA), plus a fee for lodging at the community center if you choose.

You can register and pay on site, but it would help us out a lot if you could email me with your intent to come, so we can figure out approximate numbers and cost. (Sooner is better!)

Once again, please forward this to anyone who may be interested, and we hope to see you there!

Thanks,
Sundre Paddling Club
Keegan Smith
ksmith@mancroft.ca