Freestyle Saturday!

On Saturday, three of our juniors went to the Youth Freestyle event at TNR on the River Dee. There were more than 20 junior paddlers there, from clubs around the country.

The day started with a fun warm-up, before everyone got on the water and chose which group to go in. Everyone dropped down the first wave, then Clara and Emilia’s group crossed the river, ferry gliding to a small wave. They dropped down it and practised their surfing on the wave, having plenty of goes each, developing their confidence and getting tips from all the GB Freestyle Coaches who were there. Then the group dropped down the bottom wave where Noah’s group had been practising their surfing and freestyle tricks, for more fun on the bigger wave. After a busy morning paddling, they all got out, walked up the riverbank with their kayaks and made their way back over the river for lunch. We even spotted a group of LCC paddlers going down the river.

The afternoon started with some freestyle practise on the little wave again, before the freestyle competition began. Everyone had 4 goes on the wave and got points for different tricks, including: Cartwheels, turns, tailies, shudder rudders, throwing and catching paddles, Harry Potters and more. There was more playing on the bottom wave before the opportunity to seal launch or jump off the big rock.

Coming first and second in their age category, Clara and Emilia were very pleased with their super cute teeny pyrana sponges!

Thanks to all the organisers and coaches, it was a great day, really well organised and we are looking forward to our next freestyle adventures!