Back at it.

As I pass my 141st day on the water this year, I'm more excited than ever to be on the water. This time it's for the European championships in Germany at the end of May. After being away from hole boating the past few years and living in Canada enjoying the amazing waves on offer, my trip back to Ireland left me with no selection of waves to get out on, and so I went looking at what's around in Ireland at the moment. 

Unfortunately my local spots Sluice and Dogwave have been changed and in the process we have lost some amazing training features. Therefore with a new online gauge I decided to head to Irelands west coast to try out a great hole in Tuam, Galway which is now home to some of Ireland's best freestylers. Being quite similar to inlet gate in HPP It did not disappoint and with a packed eddy and plenty of banter being had it reminded me of Sluice 15 years ago, jammed eddies with everyone having fun surfing, cheering and enjoying the outdoor surroundings. While chatting away I found out that the following week was trials for the European Championships this year in Germany. After a session of watching all the up and coming guys and girls rip it up, I decided to give it a go at making the team again. 

Nowadays reminds me of the competitions back in the day in Ireland with the likes of Moe, Kipper and Steven Hynes. The standard is world class and to make the team you need to be on top form. 

In the following week I got lucky and the water levels stayed up meaning there was some time to train and put together a ride. I knew the standard would be high but only the day before the comp did I get to see Billy Brett and Davey McAttack paddle and immediately saw what was possible in the feature. These lads killed it and was awesome to see how good they have become. For the following 2 days the competition took place and I stayed focuses and after a weekend of perfect water levels and good weather, I was happy to have made the team again with a bunch of amazing boaters including an 18 and 2x20 yr olds and Barry Loughnane making it a strong team.

Now that I had somewhat of a goal for the start of my season I really needed to get practicing and it was off to Hpp in Nottingham for a weeks training and to work on the tricks that I struggle with. I was lucky enough to paddle with the best of the English and see where my paddling was and where it needs to be. Back to back to back days at inlet gate and a day at Hurley all while paddling with Gav Barker really puts you in your place and was great motivation.

Then I went back to Ireland concentrating on fitness , paddling flatwater freestyle every day and lots of stretching. I have never felt better with my strength, speed and fitness and am looking forward to getting the thumbs up at the competition. I am using this Euros to get me confident in my boat, paddlefit and ready for a few trips I've been wanting to do since I sat in a kayak all those years ago. 

But first I got together some money, rented a nice Jackson rockstar from iCanoe, some sweet AT paddles from theCanoecentre and jumped on the ferry to France with my old training partner Neil Gibson who is still one of the most technical paddlers I have trained with and he has such appreciation for the water and having as much fun on it as possible. First a little STAKEOUT tour through France hitting up some nice waves at Malate, Deluz and Lyon was in order and then to Augsburg before he went back to Ireland. 

Then I headed off to meet up with my old partner in crime and kayak extraordinaire Martin Koll, whom being one of the best hole boaters on the water, a modern day Oli Grau some might say,  and went to plattling to get use to the feature and camp by the river enjoying some stress free times which is well needed in my life right now. It's been great fun living in a tent again and kayaking whenever I want and for me there is no better form of therapy. 

Then after 3 weeks of paddling some rest from training coincided with the arrival of The Young Pirates party bus and the (origional gangster) OG Schorschi for some loud music, bbq's, night surfing and generally proving that RODEO is well and truly alive. Not long now until the Euro's in under 2 days and with all the team here let the good times roll. Update to come soon, stay tuned- t