At the Nene YFS Matt Chadder invited me up to HPP on the weekend of GB team training to be a BCU guinea-pig (this time for the 4* freestyle) and get some coaching with the team. I said yes, so Mum and I found ourselves driving up to HPP on a chilly (for the summer!) Saturday morning. This was my first experience of team training. In the morning we did the theory for the 4* (reminded me of why I am pleased I have done all my star awards) and in the afternoon we hit the water. I thought it was a great award and anyone who is looking to get into freestyle who can do some of the basic moves such as loops and cartwheels will really enjoy it.

In the evening we all headed up to the sports hall by the lake. Matt had brought along a basket ball and some balls to use as dodge balls. First we had a go at dodge ball. We had different teams such as Hurley paddlers v HPP paddlers and Waves v Holes. This was great fun but was quite painful at times (sorry Matt, Brandon and Alan). Next on the menu was basketball although by the end Gavin ended up man marking Ben Brayfield. Sneaky got a great overhead shot from about 20m away! We headed over to the rugby club and had a barbeque and game bit of fruit baseball... very messy.
On Sunday Matt gave me some great coaching about the way I sit and hold my paddles, this really helped as I managed a 10 ended cartwheel in a hole, something I had never done before.
I thought it was a great weekend and thanks to Matt for inviting me!
See you on the water

Josh
www.pgl.co.uk