Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Junior National Team Trials

Junior Trials were held over the weekend in Squamish BC on the Mamquam river. Athletes from accross Canada came to earn their spot on the Junior National Team. Alberta had six athletes competing, from the 2x veteran Marissa Dederer to 12 year old Hannah Penner. None disapointed.

Marissa claimed a solid second place for the weekend by making percentage every day and being consistent, for her third year on the Junior Team. AJ Cole of Crowsnest Pass made the junior team for his first time with a great run out of the gate, on day 1. From there on he kept cool under pressure and held his spot.

Hayden Daniels in C1 finished just off the team but has shown great improvement from last year. Levi Severtson and Ryley Penner traded days with some great idividual runs that were 4th and 5th respectively. Hannah Penner improved all weekend and was making some great moves on the final day. All four of these youngsters have a bright future with a combined 15 years of being juniors still ahead of them.

Marissa and AJ will represent Canada at the Junior Worlds in France in July. Hayden and Levi will also be representing Canada at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August.

Congratulations to all!

Good luck to the Senior athletes this weekend in Whistler!!!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Alberta Cup #1 - Kananaskis

A great big Thanks to Bow Valley Kayak Club for hosting Alberta Cup #1! In generous Alberta fashion the weather took a break from its storming and allowed us to have a great weekend of paddling, food and friends. While only the really brave (I don't count because I had a trailer) camped, Canoe Meadows was full of excitment as everyone geared up for summer. Results

The Alberta Cup races are also opportunities to make the Alberta Team. Through the year you can race to improve your position on the Team and get reductions on swag.

After 1 race the Teams are:
A
Jessica Groeneveld (k1,c1)
Marissa Dederer
Ben Hayward
Chris McTaggart
Toby Roessingh
Paul Manning-Hunter
Ryley Penner
B
Bryce Shaw (c1,k1)
Hayden Daniels (c1)
Graham Jobe
Matt Frank
AJ Cole
Levi Severtson
Idan Wolach
Greg Hunter
Veronica Oczkowski
C
Vince Osborne
Lissy Methorst
Hannah Penner
Roni Wolach
David Manning

This is just the first race and you have three more tries to make the A Team. Train hard and we'll see you in Pincher Creek, June 12th, for Alberta Cup #2.