Winter Freestyle Training

This winter has been one of big change, mainly in moving to Nottingham for University (and also kayaking). 

Although I was not heading to World Championships, unusually in November, the stoke was high around HPP with many of the Team training and this therefore meant lots of epic paddling sessions for me also. With the water still warm from summer, I set sights on Lunar Orbits, pushing different McNasty styles, and upping the intensity of rides with more flowing moves. 

The biggest hurdle of the winter was the formidable 'Beast from the East', which caused UK temperatures to plummet, days of snow and what seemed like a never ending winter. Despite icicles on slalom poles and brain freeze on every submersion, I still continued to train knowing the amount of hard work and persistence that has to go in to push forward for the next season. 

A key lesson learnt from the freezing conditions, was the importance of keeping a high intensity. Although many of my sessions would only last half an hour to an hour, I often had exclusive course use and so could push combos, new moves and a high intensity before inevitably flushing, but then going all over again. 

Easter didn't quite bring the anticipated warmth and welcoming to spring, but instead a continued cold spell. However, the course was definitely now becoming busier and so intensity dropped while refining some moves and putting together chunks ready for competition rides. HPP hit super high levels as rain and snow meant the course was shut for a large part of the holidays, however, there was still a consistent group out most days training along with Sweetwater Coaching. 

Finally, at last, we have had a glimpse of spring and hopefully the sunny weather to come, as my short sleeve cag made its season debut! Moves are slowly coming together and as always am excited to be spending time on the water, competing, coaching and exploring!