Jackson Kayak

Chris Stafford, Javid Grubbs, Jimmy Blakeney, Stephen Wright, Clay Wright, Dan Rubato, Jay Kincaid, and the list goes on and on. The paddlers rolled in force today. Many of the top juniors are now here as well, paddling with either World Class Kayak Academy or the Academy of Huge Experiences. Then there is Emily and Dane Jackson, holding down the fort for the next generation of Jackson Kayakers. Hanna Farrar is here with her dad, still a junior, winning the bronze medal in the 2003 World Championships in Graz, Austria and going for her final chance to compete in the junior women’s class. Watching the junior boys paddle is like watching the senior men paddle. These kids are awesome. I can’t even start naming names, because there are so many of them doing incredible stuff. It is funny to see Dane with them. He loves paddling with the junior boys. What is incredible to me is that Dane has a shot at making the US Team for Junior men. Watching him paddle, he has the moves, and the consistency. He is a loose cannon to be sure, however. I never know what the kid is going to try. For example; at Bob’s Hole, he tried and nailed a “felix” for his first time ever during competition. But he never tried his air blunt, which he could do consistently. He really “goes for it” as if he needs to go above and beyond his normal rides to do well. I can’t wait to watch both Emily and Dane compete. It is really telling about somebody’s personality when they have to perform under pressure. I hope they are still smiling and relaxed before each ride like all season.

As for the river:

Tommy Gunn got the dams on the Black River all organized and pulling together. The dam that was broken managed to get a new bearing manufactured right here in Watertown and will be functional tonight. This will allow them to drop the pool and get the wave back. I looks like the Route 3 Wave will, in fact, be going for trials.

For the Event:

Tomorrow at 3pm is the athlete meeting at River Side Gardens (Tommy Gunn’s place by the Route 3 Wave). Registration, schedules, format, prize money, team size, uniforms, etc., etc. will all be discussed. It looks like we will be getting 3 rides with the best 2 counting in prelims, cutting the field to 50%. Then in the next round the field will be cut again by 50% with 3 rides, 2 counts. The final cut, which is to the US Team size is 2 rides, 1 count. This will happen on Sunday.

As for Team JK:

After the meeting tomorrow, we will be taking our team out to dinner in Sacket’s Harbor, about 10 minutes away. We will be relaxing, talking about how to make the US Team, discussing the boats, but generally just having a good dinner to kick off US Team Trials.

Today was very exciting for me on that front. The following people were training in Jackson Kayak boats:

Devon Barker- US National Champion

Clay Wright- World Squirt boat champion- many time US Team member

Stephen Wright- Poised to take the freestyle world by storm.

Dane Jackson- Little kid going big

Emily Jackson- Paddling like a champ.

Dan Rubato- Expert turned “pro”- making the jump.

Brooke Bevin- Junior woman- going for it.

Hanna Farrar- Making the 2 Fun Fly, another Colorado Junior Woman Superstar

Christie Dobson- Blunting like crazy in her 2 Fun.

This is very cool for me to see. I had no idea that there would be any more than just my family, and Clay Wright, competing in US Team Trials in a Jackson Kayak.

Well, enough for today!

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