TRAINING AT THE WHITE WATER COURSE IN NOTTINGHAM

Our peak of the season, World Championships in USA, is coming and we want to prepare ourselves as good as we can. It is hard to keep motivated if you stay at one place, that’s why we travel as much as we can. This summer we have a busy schedule and spend only one short week at home. But that is what I like most about kayaking!

After a successful competition in Wildalpen and great two days in Friedrichshafen at outdoorshow we headed to Nottingham. We have been there in 2006 at the European Championships. I was just a beginner that time but I have very good memories to this place.

Nottingham’s white water national sport centre is a great area where you can find a white water course, a lake for flat water racing or another lake with a lift for wakeboarding.

This white water course is one of the best ones I have ever seen. It is not hard water but it is very funny. You can find four sometimes even five holes there on this single place! I really like the first inlet gate hole. It was very constant, slow and friendly. Perfect for improving my technique. We spent ten days in Nottingham. Most of the time we were training twice a day. The weather was great and even the locals were surprised that it was so hot and sunny. The water was warm, too, so you could paddle only in your short jacket or just in a life-jacket. People were really friendly there and helped us when we needed something.

After a few days of paddling we had to take a break for a day so we went wakeboarding. It was pretty good fun. We haven't been just kayaking all day but also cycling and running as well. I improved my skills a lot and got better. I've even learned a few new moves and combos like Lunar Orbit or Front-Loop to Back-Loop. It was really fun to paddle here. I can say it is one of my most favorite places to paddle. Hopefully we can go there again soon. I need to give a big thank to Paul Shepherd who was very kind and helped us with everything what we needed while we stayed in Nottingham.

Now we are in Prague, where the second Euro Cup will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Lot of paddlers are already here and train to get a chance to fight for medals. So keep the fingers crossed for Peter and me.



See you,
Nina