Team CKT storms the Freestyle British League Event at Cardiff.

Last weekend was the second round of this years British League Events for freestyle kayaking, at the Cardiff White Water Course. Its was a great chance to have a play on the course and the new hole that they made for freestyle. At the start of the day the course was running at 4 cumecs - at this level it was hard to play in the features as it was really shallow, so I decided to go and have some breakfast and wait till 11o'clock  when they put it up to 8 cumecs.

Pete Bridgeford having a practice 

 Alex contemplating the next run

Jake Boswell 

At first it took some time to get used to a new feature but after some pratices I started to enjoy the new feature. Nearly all moves were possible, and the feature had a good eddy service. After the morring on the course it was time to get off the water and rest for the comp, where they put the flow up to 10 cumecs.

The judges (scary!)

First up was the junior and senior lady's with them all paddling well, Next up was the junior men's were three of Team Canoe Kayak Trader (Jake Boswell, Pete Bridgeford and Tom Goddard) were competing. It was great to see a good turn out from the team, with great results all round - Tom was 2nd, Pete was 5th, and Jake 7th.

Final Results 

 Jake

 Pete going for a loop

Tom's McNasty 

Next it was the turn of the OC1 and C1 paddles, Where Team Canoe Kayak Trader paddler Paul King paddled in both categories. Showing great boat control in the OC1 coming 1st (...and only but that's not the point) and pulling off some good moves in the C1 to come 3rd
.

Paul in his OC1 

Lastly it was turn for the K1 Mens class were I was in the second heat and was excidited to paddle the new hole on 10 cumecs. I had a nice first ride lading some tricks that I did not manage to pull off in practice and I now really like the feature. After my last run I ended coming in 6th place which I was really happy about.

While the K1 Mens class was happening they also ran a novice category were Rob Capehorn (one of our staff) entered his first ever compertion in freestyle were he came in 3rd place - Well done!

 Rob waiting for his run

It was a great day out and it was nice to see some many people paddling and I would like to say thank you to the our team paddlers for being at the event and the Cardiff White Water Course for holding it.   


The next British League Event will be at Nottingham on the 22nd and 23rd Sept.

Hope to see you there, and here's hoping for another excellent show from the Team!

Alex