Mighty Mangahou

On Thursday, the Waiariki kayak squad headed down to Mangahou just out of Shannon for a four day training camp. The idea was to get some solid training on a different course before heading off overseas in the next month. We are lucky enough to have the Jull's house to stay thanks to Louise and her parents.

Mangahou put on it's normal weather with rain and clouds. The river was flowing and there was plently of gates. There was a few issues on the second day when we left our boats at the course over night...Mike Louise and Luuka's were chained to a tree. We came back the next morning to find them no where. Ben and I paddled down the river into Shannon but no sign which was a good thing that they weren't thrown in the river!

That night after they'd checked to see if they were insured, the police rung to say they'd been handed in. That was after they'd rung 3 news and put it in several news papers! Training from then on was alright. I wasn't paddling my best which led to frustration..

Holding it together with a race simulation on the last day before heading home to Okere Falls with Luuka and Mike. Thanks go out to the Julls for their hospitality, Jane Borren and Sam Thompson for all there help at the camp. Now it's time for a 4 week training block and then heading off to Europe!

Here's a video of my time at Manga,

http://vimeo.com/23745314


On another note, Cole O'connor Stratton, Regan August, Laurence Brown, Carl Whitehead, Andre Sperling and myself have started a group named 'Flow Addicts'. You can find us on facebook by clicking HERE. The idea is to promote ourselves on the net and hopefully becoming more popular and well known over time. Check it out.

Callum

Cumec sports awards

Hey everyone, I've been nominated by an anonymous for the cumec sports awards in 2011. Please help me out and vote for me as best Junior paddler of the year (only if you think I'm worthy of the win!) Thanks for your help CLICK HERE TO VOTE Mangahou update coming soon, peace.

Back to Okere Falls

After my week off after National Champs, I'm back to Okere Falls. Training is now a lot of aerobic and endurance, preparing for my races in Europe this season. Back to polytechnic on Monday has meant I've missed a few trainings with assignments due. The rivers been at open gates which is around 1000 - 1200 cubic feet per sec, due to the amount of rain at the moment. Is good to train on the course at different levels because in some places, it is completely different.

Hopefully next week I am heading to Mangahou, Palmerston North, for a training camp with the Waiariki squad organized by Jane Borren and Luuka.

Here's a video by Andre Sperling of his run down the Abyss, on the Mangakarengorengo up the Kaimai's