Yesterday was boat hospital day and nearly all the team had running repairs to make on their gear. It took most of the day and as we waited for resin to dry everyone looked at the 3 kayak shops at the course. Most bought something and enjoyed having the selection of several different brands and being able to try gear on , something we dont have in NZ. Other teams were milling about the boathouse and as the Czech juniors were loading their gear into vans we struck up conversation with them. Their first comment "are you staying for the after party?... they dont speak great English but knew how to say 'party'. I keep telling the kids to chat and make friends with people from other nations as it is such a wonderful opportunity for them. The seniors this year all stayed with German families in Augsburg, contacts made, for some of them, at Junior Worlds in 2006.
Once the gear was re loaded we headed to Roudnice and it has become so familiar, that it all feels very comfortable. Welcomed by our friends at the pizzeria for dinner, we met up straight away with Nathalie and the Swiss team, 5 of them who some of us new from last year. Also having dinner were the NZ U23 flatwater team , with Tom Yule from Mt Maunganui. he was also here last year when we were. they are training nearby and racing in Hungary next week.
Our USA friends arrived and Caroline had on a NZ top that I had swopped last year. It had been to Beijing with her so she obviously loves it!!!
Over dinner there was a noticeable level of anticpation and excitement as the kids eyed each other and chatted about who was who. Post dinner we had a team meeting with the theme of race prep and keeping focussed while also having fun. Today we have organised to race the Swiss team in our training slot at 12.30pm. Bridey and Mike have driven back to Prague (35 mins) for some physio and strapping on Bridey's arm. The sun is shining and looks to be a great day.
Cheers for now
Sue
Once the gear was re loaded we headed to Roudnice and it has become so familiar, that it all feels very comfortable. Welcomed by our friends at the pizzeria for dinner, we met up straight away with Nathalie and the Swiss team, 5 of them who some of us new from last year. Also having dinner were the NZ U23 flatwater team , with Tom Yule from Mt Maunganui. he was also here last year when we were. they are training nearby and racing in Hungary next week.
Our USA friends arrived and Caroline had on a NZ top that I had swopped last year. It had been to Beijing with her so she obviously loves it!!!
Over dinner there was a noticeable level of anticpation and excitement as the kids eyed each other and chatted about who was who. Post dinner we had a team meeting with the theme of race prep and keeping focussed while also having fun. Today we have organised to race the Swiss team in our training slot at 12.30pm. Bridey and Mike have driven back to Prague (35 mins) for some physio and strapping on Bridey's arm. The sun is shining and looks to be a great day.
Cheers for now
Sue
4 comments:
its really nice to hear all the things that Callum and Ella are doing, but what about some news on the other kids in the team!
Great photo of the team with their sponsored ASB bags. Thanks Sue and Team. I'll forward this on to ASB.
Love reading your daily updates of the blog page. Must be hard to do some days when you're all so tired but it's wonderful for us.
Eric W.
Hey Susie
Think the blogs have been great!! and lots of news about all the kids and I can't wait to hear the racing results! I sitting hear with a tear in my eye as I don;t think they will really understand the impact of what they are expereincing until much later in their lives..but you go girl and keep them meeting people!!
Keep up the hard work..Happy Birthday to Lou!!
Love Caro
Thanks Sue for all the great info on the blog. I look forawrd to it each morning. Good to hear they are meeting lots of people, good contacts for future travel! Hope the nerves stay steady as the week goes by.
Cheers Shelley
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