I Made It to Europe!

After a little bit of trouble transporting my boat and the airline delaying the arrival of my suitcase I finally made it to London on Saturday and shortly after departed to Cardiff, Wales. 

We made it to our destination, which is an old mansion that has been turned into apartments and accommodation.  It has a very authentic feeling to it with old Victoria style furniture and original wood furnished walls with large door frames. I have a room and bathroom to myself, which is very uncommon for accommodation in Europe. We are located just outside of Cardiff in a town called Cowbridge. 

So far I really like the course as it is narrow and has many different waves and holes that make it challenging. I am really looking forward to seeing what they will set as a course here for the World Cup.

World Cup #1 kicks off on Thursday where I race Friday and Saturday. 

Results for the race can and more information can be found on:http://www.canoecardiff2013.com/en/results-info

Heats start list:

Recipe of the Week - Vegan Carob Banana Muffins

This is my new favourite muffin recipe! 

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup spelt flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoon carob powder
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 mashed ripe bananas 
• 2 tablespoon chia seeds
• 2/3 cup maple syrup or agave syrup
• 1 teaspoon egg replacer
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Directions:

• Preheat oven 375°F
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, carob powder, chia seeds, and salt
• Add the banana, syrup, egg replacer, almond milk apple cider vinegar, and oil to the dry mixture.  Stir just until combined
• Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans
• Portion the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 25 minutes
• Let them cool for 10 minuets and then eat away!

CanoeKayak Canada Press Release - Slalom National Teams

CanoeKayak Canada selects Slalom National Teams - May 27th, 2013

David Ford (photo: Rfort Fotos)

Ben Hayward (photo: Rfort Fotos)

Cameron Smedley (photo: Rfort Fotos)

Haley Daniels (photo: Rfort Fotos)

MINDEN, ON – CanoeKayak Canada is pleased to name its canoe slalom teams to represent Canada at ICF World Cups, World Championships and the Junior & Under 23 World Championships.

The teams are selected based on the results of National Team Trials, held at the Minden Wildwater Perserve in Ontario on Saturday and Sunday. Heavy rainfalls in the area last week made for flow rates that doubled ordinary conditions. Competitors battled against challenging conditions, barrelling through gates and edging around turns, to post the fastest time possible in their best three out of four runs that made up their final score.

World Champion and five-time Olympian David Ford of Edmonton, AB came out on top in Senior Men’s K1. He won both runs on the first day and placed second on his best run of day two to claim the spot as the top competitor. Ford says it feels good to win after time off from an injury last season.

“I’m happy with the consistency and after being injured for a year it’s nice racing again pain free,” said Ford. “A year away makes things a little rusty so I’m looking forward to being a little sharper for World Cups.”

Ford is looking forward to World Championship coming to North America next year and says making another run for an Olympic medal is still a possibility.

“I’m not sure really what my plans are beyond next year so I’ll take it one race at a time.”

Ben Hayward of Edmonton was ranked second in Senior Men’s K1, winning the third run and placing second on his other runs. Hayward is back in action after having shoulder surgery several months ago and said racing in challenging conditions is good practice for World Cup competitions.

“The water levels made for more of a wide open course which is a little different than what we’re usually racing on, but it’s all for the best because we’ll be racing on big whitewater in Europe,” said Hayward. “I felt like my runs went pretty well … it’s just good to be back in the boat after struggling from injury.”

Jessica Groeneveld of Innisfail, AB threw down three winning runs to take the top spot in the Senior Women’s K1. She met performance standards on all of her runs to qualify for World Cups and World Championships.

“I’m happy with my focus and how I was able to adapt and push through the difficult conditions,” said Groeneveld. “I’m happy with my outcome and excited to move on and race this summer.”

Cameron Smedley of Dunrobin, ON was the top competitor in Senior Men’s C1. He had three wins and posted the performance standard percentage time to qualify for World Cups, World Championships and Under 23 World Championships.

“I think I started off the weekend really well,” said Smedley. “I generally paddle well on big water so it was good for my style.”

Smedley has his sights set on 2016 and is looking to build on his international results from last year.

“I want to make a few more finals after making my first final at a World Cup last year. I really want to try to continue that series of events and maybe try to rack up a medal at U23’s. I really think I could be a contender there.”

Smedley paired with Hayward to race the Men’s C2. They were the only C2 crew racing and based on performance standards were also selected in C2 for World Cups and World Championships.

Calgary’s Haley Daniels scored the top rank in Women’s C1 and was named to teams for World Cups, World Championships and Under 23 World Championships.

In the Under 23 class, 2012 Olympian Michael Tayler of Ottawa took the top spot in Men’s K1 and Jazmyne Denhollander of Chilliwack, BC took the top spot in Women’s K1. Under 23 C1 winners were Smedley and Daniels in their respective classes.

Ryley Penner of Lundbreck, AB won the Junior Men’s K1 and Veronica Oczkowski, also of Lundbreck, won the Junior Women’s K1. Liam Smedley of Dunrobin, ON posted the top result in Junior Men’s C1 and Kylie Zirk of Saskatoon won Junior Women’s C1.

Full Results of Slalom National Team Trials

Photos – credit: Rob Fletcher

Team Selections

Elite Team

World Cup 1 – June 21-23 – Cardiff, Wales

World Cup 2 – June 28-30 – Augsburg, Germany

World Cup 3 – July 5-7 – La Seu d'Urgell, Spain

Men’s K1

David Ford (Edmonton, AB)

Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB)

John Hastings (Aurora, ON)

Women’s K1

Jessica Groeneveld (Innisfail, AB)

Men’s C1

Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)

Women’s C1

Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)

Men’s C2

Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB) & Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)

Senior Team

World Cup 5 – August 23-25 – Bratislava, Slovakia

World Championships – September 11-15 – Prague, Czech Republic

Men’s K1

David Ford (Edmonton, AB)

Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB)

John Hastings (Aurora, ON)

Women’s K1

Jessica Groeneveld (Innisfail, AB)

Thea Froehlich (Ottawa, ON)

Men’s C1

Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)

Women’s C1

Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)

Alexandra McGee (Ottawa, ON)

Men’s C2

Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB) & Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)

Under 23 Team

Junior and U23 World Championships – July 17-21 – Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia

Men’s K1

Michael Tayler (Ottawa, ON)

Adrian Cole (Calgary, AB)

Zachary Zwanenburg (Cornwall, ON)

Women’s K1

Jazmyne Denhollander (Chilliwack, BC) 

Thea Froehlich (Ottawa, ON)

Florence Maheu (Valleyfield, QC)

Men’s C1

Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)

Liam Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)

Spencer Pomeroy (Ottawa, ON)

Women’s C1

Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)

Alexandra McGee (Ottawa, ON)

Junior Team

Junior and U23 World Championships – July 17-21 – Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovenia

Men’s K1

Ryley Penner (Lundbreck, AB)

Samuel Primeau (Valleyfield, QC)

Maxime Leboeuf (Valleyfield, QC)

Women’s K1

Veronica Oczkowski (Lundbreck, AB)

Kylie Zirk (Saskatoon, SK)

Men’s C1

Liam Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)

Zachary Zwanenburg (Cornwall, ON)

Yannick Laviolette (Valleyfield, QC)

CanoeKayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. The organization’s vision is to be a Canadian sport for families, communities and champions. From supporting clubs to developing a competitive National Team, CanoeKayak Canada works to grow a sport which is a rich part of Canada’s heritage.

-30-

For more information:

Ian Miller

Communications and Marketing Officer, CanoeKayak Canada

613.314.1352

imiller@canoekayak.ca 

National Team Trials 2013

The Canadian National Team Trials wrapped up this weekend on May 26^th, with many upsets and surprises.  The Gull River was in flood due to the heavy rainfall, which made the rapids even more challenging with HUGE waves and complex hydraulics. 

I was quite intimidated by the river in flood!  However this is what I have been training for and I knew I could do it. 

My objective was to be the fastest C1 boat in my class. There was no room to make any mistakes.

I really had to get mentally prepared before each race and I needed to paddle aggressively from start to finish.  Hopefully my investment in mental training was going to pay off and help me overcome my fear of the powerful raging rapids.

Over the weekend there were a total of four races where in order to make the Elite National Team I needed to make the performance standard in two of the four races.  I had a strong first run and secured a spot on the Senior "B" Team at that point...but this was not good enough as my goal was to make the Elite National Team.

The hardest part of racing is containing all of your thoughts and staying focused.  Before my second run there was an unplanned delay, where I got chilled and seemed to lose my competitive edge. When it was my time to start I was cold wet, and not completely ready.  My second run was a disaster where I flipped over 3-times and although I rolled up each time, I completely missed 4 gates.

Luckily I still had another day of racing to redeem myself and secure a spot on the Elite National Team. 

That night I had a restless sleep full of nightmares, dreaming of being consumed by roaring rapids.  It took all of my strength to get ready for day two, where I needed to be aggressive if I was to meet the required performance standard.  Going into race three I was warmed up and felt totally confident I could do it.  When it was time I was ready to execute my race plan.  I had a great run and met the performance standard.  I made the Elite Canadian National Team!  I also nailed the final race, helping to build my confidence while paddling in the boiling rapids of the Gull River in flood…overcoming fear.

I am very pleased with my performance, as I placed 1st overall in the Women’s C1 class.  I could not be happier with my results!

My fellow Alberta team mate Jessica Groeneveld also made the Elite Canadian National Team.  We are the only two women who made the Elite Team.  

My other Alberta teammates did well in their respective categories where Adrian Cole made the U23 National Team, and Veronica Oczkowski and Ryley Penner made the Junior National Team. 

The following chart details the Canadian paddlers who made the different Canoe Kayak Canada Slalom Team.

I have officially secured my spot on the Canadian National Elite Team where I now qualify to represent Canada in the slate of international races this summer!  The following details the upcoming race schedule or at www.haleydanielsc1.com 

Alberta Cup #2	Kananaskis, Alberta	June 8 - 9
World Cup #1	Cardiff, Whales	June 21- 23
World Cup #2	Augsburg, Germany	June 28 - 30
World Cup #3	La Seu d'Urgell, Spain	July 5 - 7
U23 World Championships	Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovenia	July 17 - 21
Canadian National Championships	Kananaskis, Alberta	August 3 - 4
Alberta Cup #4	Calgary, Alberta	August 7
Senior World Championships	Prague, Czech Republic	September 11- 15
Alberta Cup #5	Harvie Passage, Calgary, Ab	September 21

Deep Creek Open and USA National Team Trials

Last weekend was the Deep Creek Open and USA National Team Trials in Deep Creek, Maryland. I paddled really well where I finished 1st after qualifications and 2nd overall at the Deep Creek Open. The last day of racing on Sunday was the USA National Team trials where I placed 1st!

ASCI is located on top of a ski hill where it does not run in the winter. This unfortunately makes for unpredictable weather conditions.

The Worlds will be held in Deep Creek next Summer 2014. I am really looking forward to this race as I know the course and it was really fun!

Results from the race can be found here:
http://www.deepcreek2014.com/events/
http://www.123result.com

View of ASCI from above

On our way back to Toronto to pick up the rest of Team Alberta we decided to make a stop over at Niagara falls. While we were there we read up on some facts about Niagara Falls, where we learned that only one kayaker has attempted to go off the falls. He was so confident he would survive he made dinner reservations down stream... unfortunately his body was never found.