Lowri Davies

So the World Freestyle Championships 2009 are now over; the wave, big screen, spectator stands, big air ramp and all the crowds have disappeared and I seem to be the last paddler left in Thun. There has already been awesome coverage of the event online, including live TV coverage on www.freecaster.tv and daily updates on websites such as Playak and Kayak Session so I won’t repeat all that. Instead I’d just like to add my personal experience of the biggest and most impressive freestyle kayaking competition I have been a part of.

Practice time on the wave was very limited: within timetabled team training slots we were only getting 4 or 5 rides a day, so everyone was keen to get time on the wave whenever possible. All through the night there would be a queue averaging 15 paddlers, or 15 minutes between rides. I enjoyed paddling the wave which although it could be flushy, allowed you to go for big moves such as helixes and donkey flips as long as you were selective about where and when to throw the move.

The ladies competition didn’t kick off until two days after the first men had competed, which felt rather odd. In the prelims we had 4 rides of 45 seconds on the wave and our best two ride scores were combined to rank us; the 20 riders scoring the highest would progress to the quarter finals the following day. As I peeled out of the eddy for my first ride, the wave greened out and flattened giving me no hope of even catching it. I tried not to let it bother me as there were two throw away rides, but I guess that or something else was not right as I flushed off before having a chance to even attempt to show the judges what I could do in all of my 4 rides! I knew immediately I would be taking no further part in the event, which was of course very disappointing but I was determined not to let it upset me too much – after all there is so much more to life! I had really enjoyed the training for the event that I had done on some fantastically fun waves and enjoyed the company of those I had paddled with. In the month prior to the event I felt I had learnt so much and really progressed my wave paddling.

I got off the water, walked over the bridge and straight into the stands to support one of my training partners, Satu Vanska-Westgarth in the next heat (stopping only for a couple of comforting hugs).  As results came in it was clear that I was certainly not the only female paddler that had fallen short of their potential (though mine was perhaps the most spectacular shortfall – never do things by halves!) and throughout that day and the next I saw many upset ladies. I understand how frustrating and upsetting it can be when you do not perform to your best after working hard towards something but I preferred to look on the bright side of the situation and enjoy the fact that I was now able to relax and really appreciate the World Championships experience: meet new people from all over the World, take part in all the fun events, support my friends and appreciate the spectacle of watching the best of our sport perform.

As the event came to a close, after an awe inspiring set of finals, I went for a paddle with a close friend who hadn’t yet had an opportunity to play on the wave. I had three amazing rides that surpassed even what I had been pulling off in training: air blunts, back stabs, helixes, more blunts and an air screw / donkey flip. Rides that would have seen me do well in the ladies final. Another competitor commented “Nice rides! I probably shouldn’t tell you this as it might upset you but you are nailing much better rides than most of the semi-finalists.” I smiled and thanked her. I was just stoked to be on the water with a good friend and able to show my Mum what I can do in these small plastic tubs I spend so much time in. A perfect end to the week.

I would like to express genuine gratitude to all the GB supporters, coaches and management who gave up their annual leave just to help the 20-odd paddlers from their home nation fulfil their potential on the World stage. As a team we have returned with three Gold medals and a silver, putting us second in the medal table once again. Be proud British paddlers, you should be.