Wausau Open (Jr Pre Worlds)

54hrs of Driving. Nothing like it!

Our tour to Wausau took us via Sturgeon Falls, Manitoba for a bit of surfing to break up the two day drive. The water levels were slightly lower than past trips there, but there were still plenty of good waves to be had. Chris was throwing ends in his slalom boat as well as crossing on the green waves with AJ. Thanks for the highlight video from our Videographer AJ!

Sturgeon Falls from Adrian Cole on Vimeo.

From there we dropped down to Wausau, Wisconson for the Wausau Open. The event was also a test event for next year's Jr World Championship and U23 World Championship. Check out the promo video for 2012.

2012 ICF JR & U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships Promo. from Michael Schroeder on Vimeo.

This year's event featured 7 countries including large teams from Australia and New Zealand. Alberta had 6 athletes racing in the competition ranging in age from 14 to 25. Edmonton's Ben Hayward won the event in dramatic style on the last run. Sitting in 6th place after the Semi-Final, Ben threw down a blazer to sweak ahead of the USA's kid phenom Michal Smolen. Chris Mctaggart of Canmore rode a wave of 2nd and 3rd consistency to a bronze medal.

Other Alberta kayak results were: Qualification - AJ Cole (Blairmore) 26th, Levi Severtson (Innisfail) 29th, Ryley Penner (Sundre) 32. Semi-Finals: Ryley 22, Levi 23, AJ 39.

Hayden Daniels had a consistent weekend as our only single bladed paddler and finished 10th in the C1 category.

Camp Alberta

Check out the highlight video of the weekend and see how many of your favorite Alberta paddlers you can find. I found, Ben, Chris, AJ & Ryley

The Wausau Open Slalom from Michael Schroeder on Vimeo.

This weekend we're in the Crowsnest Pass for Thunder in the Valley and Alberta Cup #3.