HOMEWARD BOUND TO NEW HORIZONS

So that’s a wrap – the end of another ICF Junior & U23 World Championships. Our thanks to the Polish Federation for organising such an excellent event, and to the town of Krakow for providing the vibrant backdrop.

This time I’m writing high above Asia, travelling home with George Snook. Everyone dispersed in different directions – some to continue racing at the Prague event, some for holidays, and some like George and me heading home. Another first for me, checking in with a kayak. And, after however many thousands of air miles I’ve clocked up across years, my first experience with LOT Polish Airlines. For future reference, I have to say they’ve nailed it: Only a couple of days before, I pre-booked a couple of kayaks, at set fee, and not so much as a blink at check in.

George sought solace for having to travel home with me

In the coming fortnight we will debrief with the team, reflecting on the goals and culture they set themselves. How do you measure the success of such an exercise? On opening day we were streaming cricket as the Black Caps “lost” that incredible cricket World Cup final by no margin at all, but captivated the world; then on closing day, while enjoying our team dinner, we joined cheers as the Silver Ferns pinched the Netball World Cup from the Aussies by 1 point, not so long since apparent calamity. Sport is fickle like that – our congratulations to both those teams, and to this young and ambitious Canoe Slalom team.

In individual slalom, these 13 young paddlers reached 8 semi-finals and 2 finals – the same as last year when hailed as arguably the best NZL performance to date. There was an historical landmark with Jack Egan making NZL’s first ever male world C1 final (noting, and apologies for missing from initial listings, that Kelly Travers had done same in XXXX at U23C1W). In teams, the various trios came closer to the winners almost across the board, demonstrating increased depth. In extreme, we didn’t repeat the medal that Rivey Mutton took home last year, but Rivey, Hannah Thomas and Callum Gilbert all ended 5^th with gutsy displays. That first individual slalom medal still eludes, but boy did Callum give it a go. In the grand points score, Team NZL finished proudly XXth overall.

Despite hitting everything as hard as possible, Rivey couldn't quite smash herself into this year's extreme final

The exciting thing with this team, however, is the very genuine feeling of job not done, more to come – having actually achieved just below capability. I won’t name names, as history is for anyone to seize for themselves. But I wrote previously about the bar being reset, and what was previously outstanding now being the norm. The challenge is to now make the new outstanding consistent, and years are on all these paddlers’ side.

While individually each athlete will have their goals, there is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate collective new standing when we welcome the world to Auckland for the 2021 event. No doubt the learning Sue Clarke has taken away from Krakow will add further to our planning, down to the culturalism we might see in an opening ceremony or bib design, or environmentalism, or ….. the range of ice creams in VIP (thanks Sue for sharing)!

A team set to top the podium in 2021?

And perhaps above all this is to praise the culture of these young adults and the team in all. Led by a much-appreciated “athlete voice” approach, there’s constant examples of individuals values: facing down the challenge of tight competition, or coping with disappointment, or running from river to bank to support each other, or running from town to race each other for curfew, or spending 3 weeks in close confines with each other with tolerance and respect. These are the experiences that enrich and transcend sport.

My thanks to all those involved – the paddlers; outstanding coaches Shaun, Pierre and Bertrand; co-manager Julie; wonderful parents and families in Krakow and at home; and our wider supporting community – and best wishes for your next steps.

CHEERS AND TEARS

So, this happened today …..

“OMG, tears on the supporters side of the course”.

“Think that’s the first ever C1 men’s final on world level in any age.”

“I’m at the hotel and going to get an Uber as JACK JUST QUALIFIED FOR THE FINAL!! …..Oh, am I really the only one still at the hotel? … Wow that’s poor form …. Maybe I knew he was going to make it and just waiting for the final …”

After historic results already this year for Callum G in Lee Valley and Luuka in Bratislava, Jack Egan (Jegan) put his paddlesworth in to become the first New Zealand male to make a world-level C1 final across any age. Many congratulations Jack, to you and your parents who support you so much, and to whom the supporters’ tears likely belonged.

Rob's nerves would rather be judging his son than watching him race!

Jamie The Guru has kindly sent me the following list of NZL World Championships finalists to date:

• Open: Luuka Jones (K1: 4th, 2017), Donald Johnstone (K1: 5th, 1987), Mike Dawson (K1: 7th, 2017).
• U23: Finn Butcher (K1: 4th, 2018), Jane Nicholas/Haylee Dangen/Kelly Travers (C1 teams: 3rd 2014).
• U18: Jack Egan (C1: 9th 2019)Zack Mutton (K1: 5th, 2018), River Mutton (extreme: 3rd 2018), Zack Mutton (K1: 8th, 2017), Daniel Munro/Luke Robinson (C2: 2nd, 2014), Callum Gilbert (K1: 8th, 2014), Kelly Travers (C1: 6th, 2010), Andrew Robinson/Bryden Nicholas (C2: 9th, 2006), Mike Dawson (K1 9th, 2004).

I wonder what tomorrow will bring? Final quote above is Callum G preparing for his U23K1M finals day btw – where he will be joined by Jack D, then Hannah and Oliver in U18 C1W and K1M respectively. And while I’m at it, well done to Oli today also, placing 24^th in his first world semi-final with a couple of junior years remaining.

Who will be the next Kiwi in the kiss and cry zone?

While Jegan didn’t have his best run in the final, he certainly gave his all. And he contributed to what’s a bit of a resetting of the NZL performance bar. It’s been said to me by athletes and coaches alike this year that “making semi-finals shouldn’t be the goal”. Spoken from a former Olympian: “There are definitely signs of progress, but I feel we can still do better with getting our athletes to deliver to their best on the start line.”

My own observation (after 4 Olympics with different sports) is that canoe slalom is ruthless and demands precise execution under pressure. Starting the semi-final 17^th, Jack launched himself into 7^th on the leader board, then sat chewing his fingernails (or was that me?) as the next 13 paddlers failed to displace him – the spread from 5^th to 8^th being just 0.18 sec! Nerve jangling in a way unlike swimming, triathlon or rugby where I’ve been before, where everyone starts together and you know the result when you cross the line.

We’ve had a few such margins this week: Kensa sitting 10^th in the repechage for half a dozen runs, only to be displaced by the last paddler, who then suffered a delayed penalty while the score board flicked Kensa from 10^th to 11^th and back to 10^th in moments; Oli Puchner steeling himself for 2 repechages in a day – with the mental focus to execute within the top 10 on both occasions; and the other way of course for George flying in to the semi-final in both heats runs 1 and 2 before incurring narrow 50s.

The latter gives me lead to add something to yesterday’s insights behind the scenes, as we did of course lodge an enquiry into George’s repechage penalty, with our video angle being inconclusive. On a day like yesterday’s Junior day, the officials team are making something like 22,400 gate judgements, and with the systems they now have in place, the strong consensus is that the amount they get wrong is a handful if any: There are 3 to 4 skilled judges calling each gate, plus a live video judge, backed up by a synchronised multi-camera slow-mo review system; anything judged with variation or hesitation automatically goes for review; anything highly consequential goes for review; anything enquired goes for review; and the coaches are welcomed in to watch. This openness of process goes a long way to building trust, which in the end stands afore the technology itself. Thanks again to Jean Michel and his amazing team.

And so we turn to competition Day 4 – men’s K1 and women’s C1 for U23s and Juniors. Go well Team NZ – let’s make some more supporters cry!

BEHIND THE SCENES AHEAD OF 2021

So heats are behind us and we’re looking forward to 2 days of semi-finals and finals. Some highs and some disappointed. And some tight margins going for us (Kensa in then out then in again, Oli’s C1 repechage), and some against us (George’s two 50s). The team will rave the same number of semi-finals as last year (8), and aim to repeat some outstanding performances then.

That’s all on the water, and reported on the website or social.

Off the water, it’s been really fantastic to have parents arriving for support. I’ve said before that parental support is the primary way kids get on in sport, and not surprising when we see the cheers on the far bank. Many thanks and looking forward to hosting dinner on Saturday night.

The Kiwi Crowd on Tour

Thanks to Sue Clarke, today also presented a brilliant opportunity for parents and supporters to see behind the scenes of the World Champs – as a taster for our own version in 2021. Sue exercised her usual persuasive powers to get Jean Michel Prono and Sue Natoli to break from their duties and show us around the “OVR” (On Venue results), the enquiry desk, the teams’ video review tent, broadcast van …. and of course VIP area (free Magnums).

What an insight, it has to be said. The OVR is a calm nest of video feed, timing, editing, judging and reviewing. Next door, the teams’ video tent is less sedate, amassed with analysts and coaches, able to download and analyse video the instant a run has been finished. What a great service.

It’s fabulous to be able to get this behind the scenes insight, and on behalf of Sue and me, we are indebted to HPSNZ for Prime Minister’s Scholarships to support us here. It helps put in to tangible reality the thrill and challenge it will be to host this event in 2 years’ time.

The only wish would have been video review seeing Geroge’s head the other side of the pole – but that’s sport, and you win some and lose some. Best wishes to paddlers, parents, officials and volunteers and three more fabulous days of racing. Enjoy.

Jean Michel starts allocating roles for the 2021 Championships

KRAKOW VISITOR GUIDE

With family and friends now arriving in Krakow ahead of race-day-one tomorrow, there's one more blog to share (or I should say travelog). This one brought to you by New Zealand's own canoe slalom Krakovite (well nearly) and 2021 J&U23 WC Chair, Agnieszka Grudzinska.

For all the visitors, here's Agnieszka's top tips for exploring Krakow:

"Here are some suggestions of how to amuse yourselves in Krakow (not an exhaustive list, by any means). A note: ul. is just an abbreviation for street (st.); it's put in front of the street name, same deal with pl. which mean square; the number come last. Although I dare say google will help you find everything without such insights. Have fun! Agnieszka"

Centre of Town – lots to see and experience just strolling around.

• Main Square – Bazylika Mariacka (main church) – definitely worth a visit inside, but need to get a ticket in the first half of the day, I'd recommend including the climb of the tower to enjoy the view and to experience, first hand, the unique ‘hejnal mariacki’ (trumpet announcement of the hour, quite an ancient and quirky history there…).
• Main Square – City Museum (underground – an interesting perspective on medieval life and identity in Europe, pre-nation states of the last 500 years +) need to reserve tickets, at least a day in advance.
• Wavel Castle– just a walk around can be fun, and to get into the Cathedral is usually possible without pre-booking, but if you want to see some of the key inside areas such as the State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments or Treasury & Armoury, you’d need to get the tickets, in advance.
• Krakow is full of culinary delights but the scene is pretty dynamic, with stars raising and falling constantly, so I’ll confine myself to just a couple of tried and true restaurants featuring Polish cuisine:
• Miod Malina ul. Grodzka 40
• Kogel Mogel ul. Sienna 12

Kazimierz – Jewish Quarter – again, just fun strolling around; the Old Synagogue is worth a visit, again may need to get tickets in advance though it used to be possible to get them for the same day.

A few must do:

• While strolling around town at night (very safe) stop by a vodka bar – many to pick from but Singer ul. Estery 20 in Kazimierz is one of the classics (make sure to order a herring for a chaser) and drop by the best bread bakery in Poland Piekarnia Mojego Taty (My Dad’s Bakery – ul. Mejsela 8) open every day until 2 am – the smell is heavenly
• For special ice cream in a quaint setting – Lody ul. Starowiślna 83 (a cult ‘hole in the wall’ place with limited selection; 6? flavours, all fab, but wild strawberry, if it’s available, is a must try, also, while in Poland consider trying ‘cream’ rather than vanilla flavour for something different, not found anywhere else that I’m aware of)
• Super special cakes (ask the Bell’s – I helped the grandparents order one for Josh’ b-day) Ciastkarnia (Vanilla) ul. Brzozowa 13

Pogorze (on the other side of the river, recommend taking the pedestrian bridge and strolling along the river) - Schindler’s Factory

For an inexpensive, no fuss traditional Polish obiad (main meal of the day traditionally eaten before 5 pm) stop at Jadłodajnia Wczoraj i Dziś - pl. Boh. Getta 10  - that’s on the way to Schindler’s.

OFFICIALLY OPEN

So, we are officially open – the 2019 ICF Junior & U23 World Championships were opened last night to a barrage of fireworks, fire-eating, acrobatics and amazingly clear skies after rumbling thunder and downpours most of the day. It was quite a bizarre mix of speeches and extremism, but certainly did grab attention!

Putting the Kiwi Team centre stage of course

Little phases our own Extreme Duo

We thank greatly the Polish Canoe Federation who have pulled this together a year ahead of schedule, having seen the intended venue in Rio de Janeiro cancelled just a handful of months ago. Nearly 50 nations and 450 competitors, this will be an exciting week. And in the 91^st year of the Polish Canoe Federation, it says we have a lot to look forward to in hosting the event ourselves in 2 years’ time!

I have to confess that, amid the speeches and fire-cracks, there was a pocket of kiwis glancing at phones following the cricket (and a few glances at Wimbledon). Notwithstanding the final result, what a match to conclude quite a tournament. Big shout out to the Black Cups – they’ll be gutted of course, but that’s sport and certainly the guts of why it’s inspiring.

Hopefully we can carry that inspiration in to the coming days. Training is all but done, the event schedule is out, and great to be seeing parents arrive. We’ve had drop-ins so far from the Gilberts, Puchners and Bells, and look forward to many more. Well played btw to Julie Harris and the Gilberts in raising the tone on Saturday, finding a Chopin recital in the town hall, and dragging along Callum and Lotte Rayner. Not quite to the same level, but we’ll open the hotel doors this Saturday for team dinner, and hope many can come and join.

When in Krakow ....

And a final toast before competition begins :)

THERE'S NO AYE! IN TEAMS

It was our teams’ practice day today, with our U23MK1, U18MK1 and U23WK1 trios giving it a blast. With 6 Teams' World Titles among our coaching staff, we should fair well in this – you judge for yourselves:

For clarity, when Hannah Thomas joins Kensa Randle and Courtney Williams in the U23WK1 Team on actual race day, she will use a double paddle! Callums Aitken and Gilbert and Jack Dangen will make up the U23MK1 Team; Taylor Harris, Oliver Puchner and George Snook will be the U18MK1 Team; and Hannah will be joined by Rivey Mutton and Lotte Rayner in the U18WK1 Team.

Incidentally, an apology to Lotte: When naming the Extreme Team the other day I incorrectly included Hannah in the U18WCSLX, when indeed it will be Lotte with Rivey, both having earned their spot through the National Extreme Championships at Vector Wero in January.

Excitingly, the Extreme comp will be wholly scheduled on Sunday 21st after all the individual events have finished, with the Teams races book-ending the start of competition on Tuesday 16^th. The full competition schedule is here: https://www.canoeicf.com/canoe-slalom-world-championships/krakow-2019/schedule.

Team theme continued away from the water, with Tournament 500 gathering momentum. For those who understand such things, here’s the draw, the rules and the points score. If you notice anything dodgy, please tell Callum….!

When you've set the rules, made the draw, and are the only guy playing - surely they'll let you win!!?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

Yesterday was the first day of official training, so a landmark shift in atmosphere. This can be an uplift for some, and a shock for others as all the competition flooded in from European Championships – all part of the performance development experience. What it was for all of us was a chance to show off our National Uniform, and (notwithstanding that the Brits seem to spend more on uniform than our entire budget), the Team NZ made a very solid first impression.

The Rayner-Mutton double-act intimidates passers-by

Don't mess with the Kiwi Crew

A chance also therefore to thank Jeanette McLennan for her skill in assembling the Team’s uniform in the weeks before departure – thanks Jeanette, it’s awesome C.

By the way, if you’re wondering what the course looks like in full flow, here’s a view from the iPad:

The step into official training also marks a shift in balance towards the business end, emphasising training and recovery. So yesterday afternoon was an opportunity for people to settle back and relax Polish style.

What else to do after a tough session?

Kensa thinks Spiderman is "just so cool" - far from home!

Finally, we also got a change in the weather. For those considered whether we’re surviving the European heatwave, fear not – today went sour! Enjoy :(

Taylor is glad he's not actually driving :(

AUSCHWITZ REMEMBRANCE

From Pierre:

Six of us enjoyed a day without paddling to go on a different kind of adventure Monday morning. We decided to book a trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau to visit the largest Nazi concentration camp that was built during World World II. For those who missed the history class at school, more than 1.5 million people died there in a bit more than 4 years, mostly Jewish people, but many other European citizens, exterminated just because they were who the persons they were.

It was obviously not a funny day, but that’s not what we were expected from it. It was very interesting to have a mixed age group (staff and paddlers) sharing the memory of what happened there, just 75 years ago. It was powerful enough to leave Jack (Dangen) voiceless during almost the whole 3 hour tour, which is quite a performance.

I was self debating before going there on the utility of such a trip when preparing an important race, but I think we all agreed on the way back on the strength of this journey and the  awareness and self reflexion it caused while walking through the camps with the guide’s comments. The site itself was very modest, much more than I expected, and every thing is organised to give us the feeling of what happened there without being outrageous or voyeuristic.

It was definitely interesting to go there and being able to share this with team mates, as our discussions usually don’t go beyond : “ how much do you bench?,  did you nail this move bro, or did you hear about the latest gossip?” :)  As written on the stones of the memorial monument there, we have a duty of memory, not just to be sad and empathic thinking about it, but just being aware of who we are and what we are capable of, in good or bad.

So it was a little aside in our trip, very team bonding and instructive, and definitely reminding us of the luck we have to be able to travel across the World and live experiences such as this one through the sport that brought us here.'

FROM ONE EXTREME ZONE TO ANOTHER

After 5 days on the water and a morning training session, yesterday was recreation day for the Team. As well as being World Heritage listed, Krakow is also home to Poland’s biggest amusement park – called Energy Landia and with an “Extreme Zone”, what could possibly be more suitable for a canoe slalom team’s day off?! Happy to report no casualties – not even sunburn – and a good time had by all.

 

The choice comes down to our Athlete Leadership Group – and with Finn Butcher absent and Courtney Williams at a global family reunion, this one fell to Charlie Bell. True democrat, Charlie set up a Messenger Poll, gave some options, and away you go – Apocalipto or Hyperion or Azteca or some other mega ride!

Charlie calls the Team to order, banging his spoon on a tortilla

In fairness, the Athlete Leadership Group does far more than decide the social programme. Over the past year, we have evolved a full terms of reference for Athlete Voice, which has influenced things like the Athlete Agreement, the mid-season debrief that will follow these Champs, and very much lead the culture of this Team. At the final NPS camp before departure, Courtney and Charlie skillfully led a group discussion on “how we want to be” – and this ownership is holding true. Sincere thanks to the ALG trio.

The Athlete Leadership Group has been outstanding in leading the Team's performance culture

But, back to talking things “Extreme” - we have submitted our entries for the Extreme Slalom events here, and are pleased to be fielding full Teams: MCSLX-U23 Callum & Jack, MCSLX-Junior George & Oli, WCSLX-U23 Courtney & Kensa, and WCSLX-Junior Hannah & Rivey. The ICF are pushing for Extreme Slalom to be considered for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, so have been encouraging countries to max entries while the IOC do their scrutiny. With the event entirely after the individual races here (Sunday 21 July) we’re gladly able to oblige. Rivey has even taken collection of a new boat for the occasion.

Anyway, time to calm things down as we head in to the second week. Back to two sessions tomorrow. Enjoy.

HAIRCUTS AND HISTORY

My roommate just walked in with a new haircut – no mean feat when checking out barber’s shops in Polish. He had to visit 3 before someone would serve him, even though they were empty. Anyway, it’s now become a mission among some of the older guys, and even rumour of a Pierre beard-trim. Not surprising with some of the local barber shop offers available. Watch this space.

Krakow variation on short back and sides

Lotte bravely sought grated cheese for last night's Bolognese    

These banalities of daily life are of course necessities when on the road for so long, and members of the team have been away from home for up to three months already now. So haircuts, laundry, SIM cards, even trying to sterilise a toothbrush, all come in to play. What did we do before google translate?

Rooming combinations are of course critical when staying even 3 weeks in close quarters. While there’s a lot of thought behind the arrangements, the biggest factors are tolerance and humour. I popped in on the youngest pairing yesterday (George and Taylor), and amazingly for teenage boys, could still see the floor! Oh, and (I never thought I’d say this) Jack’s travelling X-Box is a sought-after boon!

Taylor proudly shows how to foil mum's pleas to tidy up

That said, the there’s been far more debate and contention around the “500” combinations, and more on that another day …..

I got an email yesterday after re-opening this blog, someone reminiscing reading some of the old posts – truly a great history to capture. It is my privilege to be among the succession of managers for this team, and big shout out to co-manager Julie Harris who is such a hit. Here’s a photo from the very first blogs in Prague in 2007 – recognise any of this crew?

Wenceslas Square, Prague, 2007

I sat with Finn Butcher yesterday, stopping by before heading home for mid-season break, and reflecting on his successes, frustration and determination from the first World Cups. He commented how the Team’s performance culture had progressed gradually over the years, with a real focus among today’s group. With a nutritionist-designed menu, resident massage therapist, gym, video review, and (I say again) expert coaching team, it’s a great set up. What also enriches me is that, with this all being self-resourced, there’s a complete lack of hand-out mentality so often now in high-performance sport.

Off to the river now where the real work is done. Enjoy.

Jack and Charlie wonder where their coaches are?

Les expert coach de Nouvelle-Zélande

Kensa helping Shaun choose a barber on line

RHYTHM AND FOOD IN KRAKOW

Arriving for first session at Kraków-Kolna Canoe Slalom Course

Midway through the first week for the Junior & U23 Team in Krakow – 11 days to go to competition. Athletes and coaches arrived from various directions on Sunday, and it was a real pleasure to glue together the stories of their past weeks: The older paddlers coming in from Ljubljana with Shaun and Pierre; a junior group from Augsburg chaperoned by Bertrand; and others already testing the water in Krakow saying goodbye to the expert eye of Dejan Krajl who’d been their coaching them the past weeks.

It had also been a real pleasure being able to report on Junior racing successes along with Senior Team news from the World Cups. I hope we can keep people as enthralled through this current campaign! Moreover, the life-learning these youngsters have taken on - and been entrusted by brilliant parents – amazes me: several weeks on the road in Europe, self-managing, and experiencing cultures is priceless!

So, we’ve settled into town, in an economy hotel, with some great negotiations for food and parking and stuff. We’ve even uncovered that co-manager Julie Harris is a qualified sports massage therapist, and with ingenious hire of a massage table is proving another priceless asset!

Krakow is included in the original UNESCO World Heritage list

In Krakow, the choice of hotels is basically between town and the 12-km out at the course. Living on the course can have its advantages, but is also stir crazy, and with the town now on our doorstep being one of UNESCO’s original World Heritage treasures, it’s a mental gain to be able to step out for a walk.

Among those walks it’s been my fascination to try to find a suitable gym, and one of those wee cultural highlights to stumble across Silownia Champion Krakow: With tag lines of “do you love hardcore trainings” and “you value a unique atmosphere over artificially pumped comforts”, it really would have made my day to see our guys hurling tin with the behemoths. But sense prevailed when Atlantic Squash Club offered us a great 2-week deal (#klub_atlantic_sports).

Hardcore training not optional at Champion Bodybuilding Gym

Team AUS have a new home from home

These first few days of any campaign are all about finding rhythm after change of environment, and time on the water. With Shaun, Pierre and Bertie, it is truly brilliant for Team NZ to have such coaching skill. We’re here this week with Aussie, USA and a few from Thailand – while the locals race their European Champs - and can easily say we’re holding our own for expertise. (Perhaps the one jealousy is the Aussies rocking up with their new trailer, complete with fridge, washer, massage space and coffee machine (!), so look out Kerry for a bit more fund-raising!)

Hobbiton in Poland

Anyway, all is going well without such trimmings - “this trip is so easy” said one coming back from the course this morning (touch wood). In true Kiwi style, the days resemble Hobbiton: eating before morning training and second breakfast after, picnic lunch, afternoon nap, afternoon snack, back to the course, and into dinner. This afternoon's training is all in – coaches combining for half runs and currently plotting the course!

Stay tuned as the days go by. Enjoy.