Days Results

Yesterday Gavin and PW took part in the 1000m K2 event. It was always going to be a tall ask as there first international K2 event ever to pull something out the bag. As this being the olympic qualifications everyone from around the world came out firing. They made it through a difficult heat into semis where they were unfortunately knocked out. They raced a brave race and have alot to take home with the experience gained.

Today the K4 took to the water with another dreaded draw for there heats with many of the top international crews lining up along side them. They raced a brave race to make it through to the semis where they were unfortunately knocked out. Its been a tough year for the K4 with alot of ups and down and change of combinations but they still in there early stages as a sprinter and have gained alot of experience to help them take the next step.

Nick Stubbs took 3rd in the 1000m C-Final where also put in everything he had and finished off a brave race. Bridgett Hartley finished in close 5 in here semis to qualify for the womens 500m k1 B-final which takes place later today.

Tomorrow Greg takes part in the 200m K1 and 200m relay with Shaun Rubenstein and Mike Arthur take part in the 200m K2 as well as in the relay. We wish them the best as its one crazy fast event to take part in.

Some Photos From this past weekend

This past weekend we went off to Budapest to watch the tri-nations rugby game between SA and AUS at Champs Sports Bar. Its owned by one of the local canoeists so we got to watch it on the Big screen while all the other sports were viewed on the smaller TVs around the bar. On sunday we spent some time cruizing around on the motor boats with the British 200m guys, Kristian Reeves and Andy Daniels.

Weekend Off and Budapest

After a hard weeks training the coach gave us the weekend off to recover for the weeks training ahead. As there isnt much to do in this town we spend most of the morning sleeping in and lounging around all day. Saturday night we went out for dinner with the British 200m guys and there support staff. They a good bunch of guys and we can learn alot from them as one of them is World Champion and two of the others are World Champ Silver Medalists.

Sunday morning we went off to Budapest to do some shopping and lunch. Feels really good to know where we going without struggling with maps. PW is our dedicated driver for the tour so we get to sit back and admire the scenery. Budapest has to be one of the most beautiful citys we've been to

F1 Hungarian Grand Prix

This past weekend we all went off to watch the F1 Grand Prix at the Hungaroring race track. The track is only an hours drive from where we training. Unfortunately the weather didnt play part so we went off to buy big umbrelas, blankets and food to last us a week. For the most basic tickets they cost R1000 but as its a once in a lifetime opportunity we had to do it. We sat on a hill not far from the track but where we could see most of the action. PW and Chrisjan had bee there the year before so finding the right spot was easy. Being at a live F1 event was amazing but you do lose site of whats happening in the pits and all the real action. Jenson Button took the lead from the start and completely ran away with it to the finish with Vettel in 2nd and Alonso in 3rd. After the race everyone has the opportunity to run onto the track and watch the podium ceremony up close. The four of us cramped up between hundreds of fans stood at the gate to have the best opportunity to be as close as possible. Once the gates open its complete mayhem with everyone trying to be in front. Thanks to our morning running sessions we were fit enough to be able to be up front. PW and Greg had a dice of there own as to who would cross the finish line first and PW just snuck ahead. We all jumped on the pit wall fighting with photographers for space to be less than 20meters away from the podium. Definately a memorable experience.

So today the sun finally came out from behind the clouds and made training so much more pleasant. This week we will be working on boat set up as we have two boats to choose from. Spoilt i know so looking at our options. All has gone well so far and looking forward to getting deeper into training and getting faster. A average day consists of a run before breakfast then a paddling session before lunch, another paddling session in the later afternoon and a gym session to follow. This is all we do all day and everyday, eat, sleep and train. Its our lives and we love it.

NEW K4 Combination and Road to World Champs

After months of back and forth traveling to training camps in Durban we have finally selected the K4 which will be attending World Champs in Szeged, Hungary. The athletes competing will be Chrisjan Coetzee, Pieter-Willem Basson, Gavin White and Greg Louw. The team will be leaving SA later this evening where they will spend 3weeks on a training camp in Dunavorsany and the last week in Szeged for race week. The Szeged Olympic training venue has been noted as one of the best venues in the World as far as racing goes as well as for Spectators. The Organisers of the event have put up grandstands 800m long which will seat over 20 000 people. This defiantly makes it for one of the most exciting events to attend. The whole hype behind this years event is due to the fact that its the Olympic qualification event and there for everyone will be in high spirits and look for the vital spot to attend the 2012 London Olympics.

Szeged Training Camp

SZEGED Training Course

We here in Szeged, Hungary for a 10day training camp. The first 3days have been really hard on the body getting back into gym and longer sessions. We going back into more of a base fase and building on our strength. The days are really warm and we enjoy every second of it as back home it sounds that conditions arent so good and its been really cold there. The afternoons are prity crazy with big storms blowing over and loads of thunder and lightening around. Its prity exciting to watch but not when we on the water as happened yesterday. Had to cut the session short as the lightening came way to close for comfort. Rather get off alive and make up the session another day. Tomorrow we fortunatly get the afternoon off and do some other activities around.