Category Archives: Kelowna Paddle Centre

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

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!

My Pledge

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!

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 🙂

Echo Island Challenge

What a day for Kelowna Paddle Centre, with 42 paddlers and lots of family and friends there to cheer and support! All crews raced hard, challenged themselves and for many, conquered their first race!
I am so proud of how each of the Kelowna Girls crew! They stepped up to the challenge. Some of these gals are seasoned race veterans and for a couple this was their longest race yet.
An aggressive pace was set right from the start and we maintained contact with the strong Kelowna Master’s crew throughout the race. At 7km we were about 1:30 behind and came across the line (16.5km) just 2:36 behind. Each of gals dug deep, I could see, feel (and hear) the effort that they were putting in every time I called a push. These girls are hungry for more racing, I love it!

Masters and Open crews
Masters and Open crews
Kelowna's Open Women
Kelowna’s Open Women
Rick's longest race yet!
Rick’s longest race yet!

Canadian Surfski Championships

Tamlyn, Greg and I ready for action
Tamlyn, Greg and I ready for action

Another fabulous event put on by Bob and the great folks at Deep Cove Outdoors! The wind was kickin and the competition was stronger than last year’s inaugural event. I had a much better idea of what to expect this year. I was even granted a “special” yellow number thanks to my win last year. This allowed me on the front line for the start which meant less nasty wash to deal with.

Photo: Matthew Abbott
Photo: Matthew Abbott

Though it was my Epic V12 that crossed the line as the first Canadian Woman this year, unfortunately I was in my Epic V10 Sport as I had loaned my V12 to fellow Kelowna Paddle Centre athlete Tamlyn Bohm. She rocked it and beat me by a minute putting Kelowna 1/2 on the Canadian Woman’s podium! Next year we hope to bring more paddlers from Kelowna!

Photo: Matthew Abbott
Photo: Matthew Abbott

I got to meet a couple great guys from the Vancouver Sun, below is a video they did on the event. Click the link to find the page with the video.  Piece from the Vancouver Sun