Another month, another Friday and another NFL!
However, before the action kicked off, I got the chance to be back on the water, trying both the 2014 and 2016 Rockstars. Admittedly, this has been put off for a while,but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to work out (or at least try to work out) exactly which boat was better for me. Being on the cusp of the small and medium has always made it difficult to balance the ratio of strength to volume, and although I did briefly use the medium, I still found it difficult to complete more demanding moves - although huge loops and Space Godzillas were very fun. So at the minute, I am still swaying in the direction of the small.
But which small?
This is the difficult bit. Firstly, the 2014 Rockstar has more volume which means I can get significantly more pop and air on moves. However, this does make cartwheeling easier in the 2016 Rockstar, especially as it is now slicy-er. Then it's a case of the hull shape, and that the 201 Rockstar does, to me, still seem faster on a wave - but then I haven't had a chance to try both on the same wave at the same levels. And then to top the whole decision off, with a small plus carbon boat already on order, do I go 2014 or 2016 model for that?
With the release of Jackson's new XS Rockstar, sizing of boats is ever more inclusive, especially with the option of custom made carbon boats - however, it still seems like a very big decision, which is likely to be influential on my paddling.
Before long though, it was time for the main event... NFL!
Round 3 was different from the last two, and most, if not all, modern freestyle competitions. Instead of using just one feature, we were unleashed onto 3 features. You could score moves in any of the 3 features in the Bridge section at HPP. That included Hero Wave, Troll Hole and Fairy Wave. As well, we were given 2 whole minutes for each ride (which turned out to be very tiring). Moves carried forward between rides, like a jam session, but you could also score each move in each feature, so the possibilities were endless. Four heats were quickly filled, and we had also gathered quite a crowd.
Ultimately, what I love about the NFL is the emphasis on fun, trying new things, and everybody just having a great time. Yes, everyone wants to win or at least do their best (we are sports people after all), but in a way, it is more about showing what you can do, and having a laugh with others. Regardless of freestyle experience, everyone is welcome to try the infamous moves such as the car bomb, harry potter and all new cosmic donkey, along with the classic hand surfs and shudder rudder.
In the end, I finished 1st in the 1000 point category, and won my first NFL! But if I take anything away from these events, it would be to encourage everyone to come have a go and try something new, because it is just about having fun with friends on the water!
Thanks to Tom Clare for great photography
However, before the action kicked off, I got the chance to be back on the water, trying both the 2014 and 2016 Rockstars. Admittedly, this has been put off for a while,but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to work out (or at least try to work out) exactly which boat was better for me. Being on the cusp of the small and medium has always made it difficult to balance the ratio of strength to volume, and although I did briefly use the medium, I still found it difficult to complete more demanding moves - although huge loops and Space Godzillas were very fun. So at the minute, I am still swaying in the direction of the small.
But which small?
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| 2014 Rockstar in NFL |
With the release of Jackson's new XS Rockstar, sizing of boats is ever more inclusive, especially with the option of custom made carbon boats - however, it still seems like a very big decision, which is likely to be influential on my paddling.
Before long though, it was time for the main event... NFL!
Round 3 was different from the last two, and most, if not all, modern freestyle competitions. Instead of using just one feature, we were unleashed onto 3 features. You could score moves in any of the 3 features in the Bridge section at HPP. That included Hero Wave, Troll Hole and Fairy Wave. As well, we were given 2 whole minutes for each ride (which turned out to be very tiring). Moves carried forward between rides, like a jam session, but you could also score each move in each feature, so the possibilities were endless. Four heats were quickly filled, and we had also gathered quite a crowd.
In the end, I finished 1st in the 1000 point category, and won my first NFL! But if I take anything away from these events, it would be to encourage everyone to come have a go and try something new, because it is just about having fun with friends on the water!
Thanks to Tom Clare for great photography
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