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A previous team mate of mine Paul Manning-Hunter embarked on an epic journey through the Great Bear Forest of BC to share with the world the beauty of our Canadian roots. The area is proposed to be destroyed by the northern pipeline. Enjoy and Share!
KAYAKING THE GREAT BEAR, a Search for Wilderness from Kayaking the Great Bear on Vimeo.
The International Olympic Committee is still going in circles with the decision to allow C1 women into the Olympics.
Taken from SportsScene:
http://www.sportscene.tv/news/An-Olympic-point-of-view-IOC-possibly-disagrees-with-ICFs-disappointment
An Olympic point of view
IOC may disagree with ICF’s ‘disappointment' and its call for a review of the IOC evaluation process
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee
At the recent IOC Executive Board meeting, Canoeing was shortlisted for removal from the 2020 Olympic program. The exposure to potential elimination from the Olympic Games came as a shock to the ICF and the Canoeing community.Through a recent website article, the ICF expressed its disappointment at the lowly ranked position of Canoeing amongst Olympic sports and called for a review of the IOC evaluation process.
Others, including the IOC Executive Board members who voted to remove Canoeing from the Olympic program, may take a different view. Canoeing was exposed in the IOC evaluation process because of its poor standing in terms of gender diversity.Canoeing’s lack of progress in this area stands out in comparison to other Olympic sports like Sailing and Cycling that made sweeping changes ahead of the London 2012 Games.
The sport’s “at risk” position in the Olympic Games is reflected by the inequality of opportunity, with 11 medals available for men and only five for women.
Fortunately for the ICF, Canoeing survived the elimination process that saw Wrestling removed from the 2020 Olympic program.
However, surviving the relegation zone of sports on the Olympic program is not an achievement; it is a reality check that must be taken seriously.
The ICF should heed the warning signs and increase the number of Canoeing events for women in time for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Other sports have aligned their approach with the IOC’s expectations by removing time worn barriers of gender discrimination and by finding solutions, however challenging, that increase opportunities for women to compete at the Games.
Meanwhile, the Olympic Movement, the community and female athletes around the world, are impatiently watching and waiting for Canoeing to catch up.
Richard Fox
The Olympics are such an important part of women's history and history in the making... let's keep making waves!
Pan American Championships took place in Union De Tula, Jalisco, Mexico. Team Canada flew down to Puerta Vallarta where we then enbarked on a 6 hour drive through gnarly mountain roads. We had about 2 weeks of an intense training camp where we had 2 sessions a day on whitewater. All the food was provided where we had delicious authentic mexican food for every meal. In addition to on water training we went for team runs up to the highest hill in the city that had a large church on top of it. I was not able to run, but I was able to speed walk!
The race took place on March 2 and 3rd where heats were on Saturday and semi-finals and finals were on Sunday. I raced both C1W and K1W where I finished 3rd in C1W and 8th in K1W. Unfortunately, in my finals run I touched the first gate, which motivated me to paddle harder, but in turn forced me to loose my focus and hit another 3 gates.
Here are some photos that I managed to catch!
The Church in the middle of Union De Tula
The top of the river
Don't be fooled by its size these are the most deadly scorpions in Mexico. One bite from these guys and your throat closes up instantly.
Team Canada and our police escort
Speed walking!
The girls of Team Canada!
We did not have access to a gym so we had to improvise with what we had
Opening ceremonies
Opening ceremonies and our cute escorts for the parade
Team Canada
Overall, I felt very strong and confident. I felt that I had some of my personal best paddling done on this trip. The team bonded very well with each other and I am really looking forward to this season starting!
The race results can be found here: http://panamchamps.com