The last day of U.S. Freestyle Team Trials started with a phone call at 9:15 am.  At this time I was still in bed because the C-1 Final was not actually scheduled to go until 4 pm.  Well, the phone call was from my friend and competitor, Jordan.  He told me that because of the rising water level, they are trying to get the competition done as soon as possible.  This way the water level does not rise too high and wash out the hole.  He also told me that I would be competing in about one hour.  So I quickly jumped out of bed, grabbed a granola bar for breakfast, and jumped in the car to drive down to the NOC. Continue reading →

I finally got a taste of what Freestyle competitions are all about.  It was a little more informal than I expected it to be.  I am very used to a slalom race where there is a set schedule and a set start time.  In a freestyle event, it appears that you start when everyone is ready.   Continue reading →

It is the day before US Team Trials starts, and I am drying out in the sun next to the Nantahala River after paddling.  I have really missed being in the outdoors by a natural river.  It is so much greener and there is much more wildlife than the “concrete jungle” that I have grown accustom to at the whitewater center in Charlotte, NC. Continue reading →