more photos

Photos

Narrow drive to our house in Nove dev Segres, near Seuwatching WC Seu just before Jess won her C1W

Malcolm training OrthezHaven Orthez

Boys watching WC  Seu                                     View from  where we parked car in at Seu accommodation

Jonathan Marc, our French coachCoaching Sort

River run day 1 at Sort

Course at Seu

accommodation at Pau,  La Ronceraie

Sort , Spain

Front door of the house where we stayed near Seu

The last two days in Seu were pretty full. Had the training session, with gates on the artificial course which gave everyone a taste of it. After lunch back at the house in the village they team did a hard aerobic flatwater session- well only Malcolm, Alana and Callum. Carl's back still sore, Kelly did C1 on the flat, Jane took a rest as she hadnt had any time off and Haven rested also.
Jumped in the car for our planned evening trip to Andorra. The Spanish close everything from 1-4 so timed it to hit the shops. Split up and re gathered later in the evening. Some shopping done- massive blocks Toblerone for 3 Euro seemed to be the best bargain from the boys. Kelly got a ski jacket at less`than half price, Jane had a spend in Zara where everything was 25-30% less than in others Zara stores around Europe. ( Zara a big Spanish chain , very sucessful and used in lots business studies). Also fueled up as fuel cheaper there. Tuesday morning the big pack up. These`seem to be the most stressful times as cleaning up, packing car and boats brings out the worst in us all.  A lovely, hour long, drive through the mountains and we arrived in Sort. the only place I hadnt been to. Had some advice from Col Borrows, Australian team manager and stayed in the same apartments as them.  Very convenient with the slalom gates over the road. The weekly market was on outside the hotel so the girls straight into some shopping after we had visited the supermarket.  Finding opening hours and then  buying food is quite a challenge- always have to be thinking ahead unlike NZ when you can just whip out and get something. After a quick bite of lunch most of the team jumped in the car for a river run. Malcolm had been sick on the way in the car and Carl, still had his sore back ( we organised a massage for him ). This region is stunningly beautiful in the mountains and the river runs alongside the road.  It was the venue a few weeks ago for the World Wildwater Champs ( DR).
Old houses perched right on the edge, geraniums from window boxes, stone bridges, and cafes tucked down alleyways.  I did the shuttle and  parked the car every now and then and snapped a photo of the group.
Later in the evening those who were able did a tech session on the river, just outside our accommodation.
For the three days here , I have divided kids into cooking groups for some team bonding.  Callum, Jane and Carl did a good job of carbonara con pollo ( chicken) salad, bread and watermelon for dessert. Wandered around our small village and everywhere TVs blaring as Spain playing Portugal. Great result for Spain.
Woke up this morning to the most superb day and again did the shuttle for the river trip. The idea is that these trips are low key and like a recovery paddle as tapering towards Junior Worlds.  Dropped the group off ( minus Carl, Malcolm and Kelly) as the most gorgeous spot- hey paddled off under an ancient stone bridge. I had an hour and a half to kill so wandered around the little village over the bridge and up an small country road. Picture postcard` Spanish  garden with grapes along the fence, old stone walls and hunched over Spaniards tending their plot with little stone garden huts. Along a bit further an old chuch- Santa Maria ( seems to be a common name in Spain)  built in 807, some of it in ruins.  I was` the only one there and thought how great it is to get off the beaten track and soak in the environment without hordes of tourists.  Got to the pick up point and sat in the breeze ( now 28 degrees) waiting admiring the majestic stone cliffs, pencil cypress and the river, hoping they all return in one piece with Jonathan.. The kids said the river trip was great, through a gorge and lots rocky outcrops and the water not too challenging. Times like this I wish I was a younger, competent paddler but then I guess everyone needs a driver! On the way back stopped by the old bridge and church and walked over again with the group. Lunch of luscious peaches, pineapple,  bread rolls and some local croissant/doughnut combo filled with custard which was discovered in supermarket yesterday.
In lobby now with internet for the first time in a few days so catching up. Some in pool, some resting, Carl had a another massage, Kelly needing to fix her paddle and have suggested all do homework- think that fell on deaf ears.
Adios for now- will try and upload lots photos. Hope all well in NZ, thanks for emails, love getting news.

Ola

Woke up to the mountains around our village covered in mist, but not long before the sun was scorching. Semis day and everyone a bit nervous and the course always more difficult.  Jane was good at the top but a roll under the bridge took out one gate , up again and composed but quite a hard double up then a stagger- half head and another 50.  Proud of her and they selling Tshirts  here " C1W  half the paddle, twice the women'  The standard has really improved and the top women are going really well  . Lou did well too and think seh finished 13th, jane 16th , so at least they werent at the botom of the field.  The C1W  final amazing with Jess Fox taking it out-  she had 2 touches and still won  and she is only 16.
The team watched all the top paddlers in the world and unfolding dramas , highs and lows of sport.
Luuka had a great semi until gate 16, which were the double ups over a big drop, slipped a bit  and losts some time. Still a very credible performance and her country ranking is right up there after the powerhouse nations-  11th I think?  24th overall The kiwis ran along the river cheering for her and looked great in their NZ uniform. Everyone wants their T shirts-  big thanks to Angela for all the hard work she does organising this for us. Seniors left for Augsburg, we in Seu two more nights then heading to Sort.  Caught up with Colin Borrows  Aussie team manager and he gave us lots info about Sort and said we would love it.  They have Lousie Natoli as their coach.
Full finals results on ICF website. http://www.canoeicf.com/
The Aussie juniors arrived and our guys paddled after the finals  unfortunately they took the race gates down and so just a play session, until a bit later they put some training gates back up- well at least we didnt have to pay.  Training this morning at 10am.
Kelly's boat all fixed- thanks to Galasport tent and repair crew on site. They also gave us some more repair materials.   Carl has a sore back so he rested and we will try and get him a physio  today.
Haven had taken a chunk from his boat, so that sorted too now.
Well team all up, gathering in kitchen for breakfast- demolishing copious amounts of muesli, yoghurt,toast and nutella. Heading off in half an hour so better 'rattle my dags'
Adios

Racing Seu

Callum racing seu

Battery died in midde of last upload so here goes,  tis after midnight and snatching a moment to update.
Luuka ended up 23rd so a good result semis will be exiting today. With the new format the standard is higher so harder to get a good result  ie now French can have 5 instead of three in World Cups. Team will paddle on course tonight with Aussie juniors ,after racing with to share costs. Rest day yesterday apart from a few who went for a run.

Malcolm training

World Cup Seu

Arrived in La Seu last night after a very picturesque drive through the Pyrenees. Very steep and gorgeous views, wild flowers and cute Spanish villages.
Our house on the outskirts of Seu is a very traditional Spanish house in a village of about 40 people and crazy narrow streets that we could hardly get our car through. It is on 4 levels with little balconies, tiled floors and swallows nesting in the eaves. The kitchen is on the top floor with all the views over the mountains and the terracotta roofs and very old crumbing buildings.
Will post photos tommorrow . For now the team has enjoyed the racing today, still going with C2 second runs at the moment. Luuka and Louise racing again soon.
Callum had a very good performance- 2 clean runs and a 5 second improvement from run 1 to 2.
Jane in C1W had a pretty good performance in her first run , however rolled in her second causing a couple of 50s. No pressure as all the C1W go through to the semis tommorrow.
Battery on laptop about to die- more tommorrow