This year's AGM is taking place on Saturday 28th January at 7.30 (just after the pool session). Taking place at The Lawns Inn, BS37 5BG. For more info see the website.
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.
On the weekend of the 20th and 21st June I decided to have a go at slalom. Where better to try it than at the Langham Farm Slalom run by Frome CC? The course is on the flat with a bit of flow, a great introduction to slalom. We turned up, playboats on the roof not knowing what to expect.
Some say freestyle is dieing, but only those who have not paid a visit to the Youth Freestyle Series. The series is growing in popularity each year and at some events attracts over 100 young freestylers. This year there are 5 events; Llangollen, The Mighty Nene, Boulters Weir, River Washburn and Nottingham White Watre Centre. Josh Wedgwood reports from the latest event at the Nene.
The sun was shining and the pumps were pumping. The scene was set for the second event of the youth freestyle series 2009 at the Nene White Water Cource. With 50 youth kayakers taking place it was busy on the course but everyone took terns and everyone had a great time in the morning practice. There was coaching on hand for everyone who wanted it as there were lots of expert volunteer coaches on hand.
It was a dull grey Sunday morning when I left Richard with our sea kayaks and gear at Conham River Park. I then drove to Portishead to meet Wayne and leave my car there. Now time to whizz back to Bristol to find Richard lurking in his drysuit. We are a strange lot at times.
We all loaded our boats and were afloat by 10.30. There was no rush as high tide was around 11.30. The plan was to get to Netham Weir at high water to make it easier to shoot. As the river level was fairly high it wasn't going to take long. We cruised the 1 ½ miles to the weir in next to no time. There was still a small drop at the weir but plenty of water going over the ledge. I was first over, a short burst of speed and in a flash it is all over. We are now into the tidal section of the Avon.
Trip Reports
Feed Entries 
Some say freestyle is dieing, but only those who have not paid a visit to the Youth Freestyle Series. The series is growing in popularity each year and at some events attracts over 100 young freestylers. This year there are 5 events; Llangollen, The Mighty Nene, Boulters Weir, River Washburn and Nottingham White Watre Centre. Josh Wedgwood reports from the latest event at the Nene.