Despite exams being just around the corner, I couldn't turn down a trip to Nottingham for the second NFL event. After a horrendously long journey, I was relieved to finally make it to HPP and thank full for some warm weather.
At last, it was goodbye to dry trousers - and out came the shorts!
Not only were there the usual regulars, but there was also lots of new faces, getting into the freestyle spirit, socialising and just having fun! It was also a great chance for everyone heading to Europeans to finalise rides and try in front of an ICF judge. But with it still being a jam format in the inlet gate, everyone was able to try lots of new moves as well.
After helping scribed, it was then my turn. After a bit of a car crash on my first ride, flushing on just my second move, I picked it up for rides two and three, getting in Spaces, loops, cartwheels, split wheels and McNasty's (both ways!). I also tried Phonics Monkeys, tricky woo and lunar orbits (but flushed early on my fourth ride). However, I had enjoyed getting back to paddling in inlet after a couple of weeks away.
But I wasn't finished paddling.
For a few months now (since getting the 2016 Rockstar really), I have been meaning to take both the 2014 and 2016 Rockstars and doing a comparison session. The aim, to see which suited me better and potentially if this would influence my carbon order. Dropping in, I had a "throwback" moment as it has been a very long time since I paddled this boat, and part of me thought that the moves I have learnt since Canada would be difficult to do in a different boat. But, one my first ride I managed a McNasty and it all felt very familiar. Yes, cartwheels were more difficult with the increased volume, but loops went big, and I even got more pop on McNastys.
This has sparked me to have a proper day of comparing boats, before I re-finalise my carbon order. Although a little bot daunting, it is also exciting and will hopefully work out better for the future of my kayaking.
Photos from Tom Ibboston
Alex Wilkinson Photography:
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