All posts by leanne

So many stories to tell….

Uncategorized

worldssoloI apologize for not updating this site with all my adventures lately. I hope to get back to using this site regularly as my paddling is continually taking over more and more of my life and leading to bigger and better adventures.

2017 Highlights so far:
– Participating in Te Aito with 80+ women on the start line! Finishing 11th in Open Women’s
– World Outrigger Championships in Tahiti in June.
4th place open women’s V6
4th place open women’s V1 (and epically surfing a V1 for the first time ever!)
– After my car broke down and not thinking I’d get to race at all, placing an unexpected 2nd at Canadian Surfski Championships
– Hosting clinics at the Gorge and getting to work with so many inspired paddlers!
– Reclaiming my title at the Gorge Downwind Championships in Hood River in OC1
– Winning Canadian Outrigger Championships with my women’s team from Kelowna Paddle Centre and watching six crews from KPC compete! Oh and winning the Women’s OC1 as well 🙂
– Being named as a Puakea Team Rider. Partnering with Vaikobi and being able to wear their Ocean Gear line to keep me cool and out of the sun at the World Championships and all summer long!
– Coaching many paddlers from Kelowna and Harrison throughout the season has been a huge highlight. Watching these people grow in skill, strength and confidence makes me happier than any title I win.

Thank you to all the people that have supported me along the way! There’s more to come!

See you on the water!

Here we go! Off to Australia for the 2016 World Outrigger Sprint Championships

Kelowna Paddle Centre, Racing

The training is done, the preparations complete. Now it’s time to get on a plane and get acclimated to my home for the next two weeks.

Got out last night after work, a little bit of rain but felt good.  Pulled out a shirt from worlds 6 years ago to remind me of the amazing people that I have met over the years at these events.

Pulled out this shirt that was given to me by one of the clubs from Fiji at the 2010 World Sprints
Pulled out this shirt that was given to me by one of the clubs from Fiji at the 2010 World Sprints

Today I got to see the new unlimited OC6 boats at Kelowna Paddle Centre ! Can’t wait to play with these when I come home!

It was Christmas in April! New boats!
It was Christmas in April! New boats!
A trio of unlimited OC6s for Kelowna Paddle Centre
A trio of unlimited OC6s for Kelowna Paddle Centre

Time to board!

More updates to come from Oz! See you on the water!

Your Body is a Miraculous Machine …

Diabetes, Training Secrets, , , , , , , ,
Sunny Mexican Christmas

Happy 2016 Everyone!

A new year but no real resolutions for me. I’m sticking to my training plan as I prepare for the World Sprints in Australia. They are coming up super quick which means that every workout, every meal, every sleep, everything counts.

If you’ve been following my instagram or facebook page, you know that I’ve been ensuring that I’m having balance in my life.  From the vacation in Mexico with Rick to spending time with my fav Christmas present from Mom and Dad, my colouring book. So many people ask me how I manage to do everything that I do: work full time, train 1-3x/day, manage my Type 1 Diabetes, Coach and serve on volunteer boards and still have time to see my husband once in a while 🙂

When I was last training full time, I was working only working intermittent part time. I doubt that I’d have the energy to do both if I hadn’t met Dr. Susan Kleiner in 2014. I have learned so much about how my body uses different foods, how to better manage my Diabetes, how to NOT be starving constantly, but best of all, I’ve learned that I can’t train without proper fuel for my body and what fuel works best for my engine.

Take a look at Dr. Sue’s latest videos for a glimpse into some of the principles that I’ve been incorporating into my training for the past year.

Dr. Sue and the rest of the amazing team at Vynna are revolutionizing how  women fuel their training. They are busting myths about carbohydrates, weight loss/gain, training and want to put the message out there to all female athletes that …

The VynnaTM brand is built for YOU by women like you.” – vynna.com

#vynnawomen

My Pledge

Coaching, Diabetes, Kelowna Paddle Centre, Racing, Uncategorized

Over the past couple years I’ve noticed a shift in myself. It started following my accident in 2012 that forced me to focus outside of myself in order to keep my injuries from consuming me. I learned how fulfilled I can feel by helping other people challenge themselves, succeed and exceed their goals.  Since then, I have been investing in developing my coaching skills and credentials  so that I can better serve the paddlers with whom I have the privilege of working. (Can you tell that my husband, Rick the English teacher, edited that last line so I didn’t end the sentence with a preposition?)

Earlier today I saw a post that really hit home even though it was based on triathlon. It made me think about why I paddle, and what kind of representative of the sport that I want to be. It made me think about why I paddle, why I train so hard and punish my body when I could be spending time with family, reading books (that don’t have to do with training or paddling) and furthering my career.  The answer is simple … because I love it. It keeps me grounded. It makes me happy.

The following has been adapted from PearlIzumi – The Pledge.

If there’s any kind of benevolent paddling god out there, we’ll keep this sport right where it was when we all fell in love with it: a sanctuary for anyone and everyone who yearns to be on the water, to sweat, sacrifice and suffer their way to happiness. Give the Pact a read. If it sounds like something you’re into, share it. Then live it.

gorge3

I will endure.

I will enjoy.

I shall only partake in this crazy sport I love, because I love it.

And I will quit when I quit loving it.

womens crews

 

I am a representative of this sport.

As such, I will do my part to take the “ass” out of ambassador.

No matter how goofy somebody looks, I shall not mock.

But I will mock myself. Often.Happy Paddlers

I will show respect to everyone I see with a wave or smile or nod.

Maybe even all three.

If it’s not returned, I will not shake my head.Para Camp 2015

Because I do not know what’s going on in theirs.

I will be inclusive.

Even of the exclusive.

I will encourage the beginner,the professional, and Kauai 2014everyone in between.

 

I will place joy above performance, use my fingers for peace, not profanity, and I will focus on the scenery more than the scene.

I will believe in positive vibes as much KPC 2014as stroke rates and speed; good karma as much as good technique.

 

Whatever my jersey or shirt may say, I know we’re all on the same team.

Queen Lili win

And when I’m suffering the most, I will remember that this is not life or death.

 

Even if it is my life.

 

Endure & Enjoy

 

Dream. Prove. Conquer.

#vynnawomen

2016 World Sprints here I come!

Coaching, Kelowna Paddle Centre, Racing

The stage is now set for redemption.

On Sunday, 10 ladies from the Kelowna Paddle Centre (KPC) travelled to the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association’s National Team Time Trials to see how they stacked up against the rest of the country and qualify for World Sprints in Australia May 2016.  It was a beautiful day with sun shining and blue sky.

Before all the action started, we were on the docks rigging boats under beautiful sunny skies.
Before all the action started, we were on the docks rigging boats under beautiful sunny skies.

The V1 races were up first for the women and OC1 for the guys.  I felt good going into the day. It was great to see all kinds of friends as people warmed up and were getting ready for their heats. I mistimed my warm-up so didn’t quite get as much as I had planned on but once I hit the water it was game time. I was relaxed but focused. I knew that the boats for the trials were easier to steer than ours at KPC.

Going into this weekend I knew that my biggest competition was going to be the clock. Early this year I set some goal times that I wanted to achieve.  Coming down the course I felt fast, strong but didn’t even notice how close the finish was and missed part of my race plan.  Clocked in with a 2:30.18, second fastest V1 time of the day (only beaten by a guy).

I had the chance to cheer on the rest of my KPC girls before paddling again in the OC1. I think I had more fun cheering them on then I did my own paddling! With hitting my goal time in the V1 I was ready to lay it down on the OC1. I knew that I’d have company at the front as our KPC manager and former National Team Marathon K1 paddler Tamlyn Bohm was in my heat. The cockpit C-Lions were uncomfortable with inconsistent steering but I paddled the race according to my race plan and even had some fun opening the throttle for  a sprint into the finish line for a time of 2:33.17.

Overall the Kelowna women dominated! Open women – KPC ladies were 6 of the top 7 times and only 2 of us were actually open age!  Masters women – KPC had 7 of the top 11. And our Senior Masters gals made up 3 of the top 6. I can’t begin to express how proud I am of every single one of these girls. They worked hard, put in the time on the water and it paid off!  Now they have benchmarks and the experience to take into the trials for Tahiti 2018.

The KPC women after a day of hard work.
The KPC women after a day of hard work.

As for me, it’s time to find some funding to help with my expenses for Australia 2016. If you can help a girl reach her dream of being the fastest paddler in the world, contact me 🙂