PA Canoe Wildwater Newsletter – April 2023

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023

Congratulations to all the paddlers who participated in the 2023 PA Canoe Wildwater Championships held in March. The Technical Committee is extremely grateful to all those who volunteered their time to making it a successful event.

Congratulations to our Championships winners listed below, with all results available to view HERE.

Sprint National Championship Winners

  • K1 Men – Kaylen Bassett
  • C1 Men – Robert Janiszewski
  • C2 Men – Kaylen & Lachlan Bassett
  • K1 Women – Georgina Collin 

Classic National Championship Winners

  • K1 Men – Richard McMinn
  • C1 Men – Robert Janiszewski
  • C2 Men – Kaylen & Lachlan Bassett
  • K1 Women – Georgina Collin 

NATIONAL SELECTIONS 2023

Paddle Australia is pleased to announce the Australian Canoe Wildwater Teams for 2023. The teams will compete in the below schedule:

  • Senior World Championships from 8 – 10 June in Augsburg
  • Senior World Cup from 14 – 16 June in Mezzana
  • JNR & U23 World Championships from 5 – 9 July in Roudnice Nad Labem
  • Senior World Cup from 29 – 30 August in Lipno
  • Senior World Cup from 31 Aug – 1 Sep in Ceske Budejovice

Goodluck to all the participants and we look forward to hearing about your experience and results.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024 

The below dates are currently nominated for 2024 but are yet to be confirmed:

  • Age Championships from 5 – 8 January in Eildon (Joint event with Slalom and Freestyle)
  • National Championships from 12 – 14 January on the Mitta Mitta
  • National Sprints on 20 January in Penrith

JUDGE TRAINING

The ICF will facilitate training for Australia via webinars later in the year. If you are interested in becoming a Wildwater official or judge, please email the National Events & Teams Coordinator of Paddle Australia. 

ELITE ATHLETE – ABIGAIL WATSON

This newsletter features Abigail Watson, an exciting junior that we have all been delighted to watch progressing her Wildwater style!

  • When did you start paddling and how did you begin Wildwater racing? I started kayaking in July 2021 with the Canoes Plus Racing team, coached by Dita Pahl. I got into a Wildwater boat for the first time in February 2022, and not too long after that I began competing in some of my local races along the Yarra River for fun.
  • You came an impressive third place in the open women’s sprint at the 2023 Australian Wildwater Championships. How was it racing down the challenging Penrith course? Initially I was very nervous and so we went up to Penrith a few weeks before the event to make sure I would be comfortable paddling the course. I also managed to get a couple of sessions on the course the two days prior to competition and this allowed me to relax a little bit more and focus on my lines during the race. Overall, it was a great opportunity and experience, it was awesome to do some challenging Wildwater.
  • How has your paddling progressed since racing in your first national championships in 2022? Since the nationals in Perth, I have improved on my ability to put power into my strokes instead of just controlling the boat. I have also improved on my ability to pick lines and actually make them.
  • What are your goals for the rest of 2023 and for the next Wildwater season? I want to keep improving, especially focusing on my stroke technique and fitness. For the next Wildwater season I would just like to paddle my hardest and keep enjoying the racing (and win!)
  • What would you say to other young paddlers that want to begin Wildwater racing? I would say that it’s a lot of fun, that I very much enjoy it. Expect it to be challenging at first and perhaps a little wet (from falling in) but it’s absolutely worth it and you will never regret starting

WILDWATER CALENDAR 2023

Western Australia

  • May 21 – WWR1 Buoys Race
  • June 4 – WWR2 Drain Race
  • June 25 – WWR3 Upper Race
  • July 9 – WWR4 Walyunga Race
  • August 6 – WWR5 Sprint Championships
  • August 18 – 20 WWR6 Geegelup Cup

Tasmania

Victoria

DATE DAY RACE TYPE CLUB
Apr-13 SUNDAY Westerfolds Sprint SPRINT CPRT
Apr-30 SUNDAY JCW handicap 1 CLASSIC CPRT
May-20 SUNDAY JCW handicap 2 CLASSIC CPRT
Jun-25 SUNDAY JCW handicap 3 CLASSIC CPRT
Jul-15 SATURDAY Big River Sprints and Super G SPRINT, SUPER G CPRT
Aug-06 SUNDAY King of the River SPRINT, EXTREME CPRT
Aug-12 SATURDAY King River Sprints SPRINT CPRT
Oct-08 SUNDAY homestead to Wittons CLASSIC CPRT
Oct-29 SUNDAY JCW Handicap 4 CLASSIC CPRT
Nov-11 SATURDAY Goulburn Sprints – Vic Champs SPRINT PV
Nov-12 SUNDAY Goulburn Classic – Vic Champs CLASSIC

 

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