HOLIDAYS WOOHOO!!!

Yes,well it is that time again for some relaxation after a busy term of School work.So far I have not decided exactly what I am going to do.The mornings and Arvos will most likely be training,the rest I guess will be made up as I go along.Unlike other people I do not intend on sleeping for the two weeks(what a waste!!!).

But I do know that I have two important assesments due either the second or the third week back,an ancient History Historical Investigation and an Essay for English on Metamorphism , both of these are worth a shocking 25%.Well other then that there is nothing much to report.Til next time.

Still Proud!!!

"Hopefully the ref wont be such a idiot like the last one!!" Katie - well he was

Like many other Aussies I got up at one oclock in the morning to cheer on our boys as they went up against Italy .It is a shame that our most succesful world cup ever had to come to an end due to shocking refereeing.Nonetheless our team surpassed many countries expectations by making the final sixteen and we were right on track for making the top 8. Im still proud to be an Australian and cannot wait to see our boys in action soon.

Nce Coaching Clinic

What a weekend,I am so tired,5 sessions over 2 days,a social dinner at council chambers,the movies and a lot of feedback.For those who didn't know the Nce held a coaching clinic which ran on sat and sun.Firstly I want to say thanks to Myriam,Mike and Richard for running the clinic,we all had a great time and value the feedback which was given.The clinic started early on Saturday morning moving straight on to the whitewater.After 90 mins on the rapids we then had video analysis which ran over lunchtime.

After lunch it was Flatwater Testing which comprised the lap test and the 3 lap test.I did a new Pb on the single lap test getting a 28 flat.Then on the 3 lap test I broke my Pb again doing a high 27 on the first lap.After testing it was straight to the council chambers for a dinner which was alright.

Sunday morning was a mini competition which ran smoothly except for my paddling.Then it was time to make our way down to the Regatta centre where there was more video analysis.While everyone decided to pollute the environment and drive, Ben and I chose to be greenies and paddle down.Then after watching the videos a couple of us broke from the group to play some soccer.An unusual but fun game originated when Mark climbed some of the boat racks and we decided to kick the ball at him.It was simple,you made him move 1 point you hit him 2 points,yet a little bit dangerous.

Bound for Europe.GO YOU AUSSIE BEAUTIES!!!

Well almost four months have gone by since Junior Team Selection and it has finally sunken in that I will not be joining the team.I wont say 'oh well' because it is something that I really wanted and trained hard for but I gave it my best and now it is time to forget about it and look to 2007.
The Team from memory is due to depart tomorrow afternoon around 2:00 with a stop over in KL then non stop to Europe(dont know which country LOL).
The team
K1 Men
Phil Mingerulli
Ben Jones
Phil Gibbins
C1
Ian Borrows
Johno Davis
Richard Merjan
K1W
Kate Mollison
Emmie Barratt
Rosalyn Lawrence
C2
Cj/Karl
Tom Greaves/Talis Svarcs
Im sure the team will show the europeans that even though we come from downunder we can get to the top.Go you aussie beauties!!! Keep up to date with the Australian Junior Team-http://www.ozjuniorcanoeslalom.com/

Bring on the Facists!!

"You're red, you're white, you're going home tonight."-Aussie FansWhat a game!!!! That is all I can say.We sure showed Croatia that we have a never say die approach being 2-1 down up to the 79th minute.Then Harry kewell connected a Marco Bracsiano free kick and earned Australia a place into the World Cup final 16.For those of you who watched the game you would agree that the Referee clearly lost control of the desperate Croatians awarding I think several yellow and red cards.That was very brief but Im sure all of you have heard the full story.Our next stop is the quarterfinals after we slaughter the italians.

Teams Event Sucks..Sometimes.

This photo backs up the fact that teams events can either be extremely fun or extremely painful.This happened in europe when Jacqui 'accidentaly' speared Kate in a teams event practice.I can wait for the day that happens to me.

Aussie Paddlers at Bourg St Maurice.

Just looked at Sam lyons website (www.samlyons.id.au) then to catch up on the latest news about those who stayed in Europe to train.The team is currently at Bourg St maurice in France trianing on some big water.Well thats all I know for now. Check out the rest of the photos it is an awesome river and the location god.
Pictures from SamLyons site. Waz is so small compared to the water.
Sam looking on line but about to panic

I Was So Tired!!!

Well Karel had his 16th Bday party on the weekend which was at a computer cafe near his house at Ashfield.Gage,Chris and I were the only paddlers who went this time but it was still as fun .The night started off with Karel's mates giving him his present which was covered in bubble rap newspaper and over 400 m of ducttape,stickytape,maskingtape all kinds of tape LoL. Then once he got through the tape there was a wooden box which ends where screwed shut .There was a bet to see how long it would take to open Karel said ten it took fourty.Ny the way I never ended up finding out what his present was.After ten hours of gaming Gage and I caught an early train to make it back in time for 815 training session.We ended up buying our tickets just as the train was arriving and had to practically dive into the train.Despite not having slept for over thirty hours I had an awesome training session.I then had to work in the cafe before I could get any sleep.Today I was so sad about the socceroos losing I stayed home that and being so tired.

New Laptop

After saving for a couple months I finally bought my laptop.Its a great little machine which is lightweight with 1 gigabyte of ram and 60 gigabytes of storage.However I was not happy with the amount of space pre installed programs took up so wiped the Computer and started from scratch.It also has intergrated wireless which is awesome for scabbing free internet.By pure chance I learnt the schools wireless<-- password I guess typing random passwords does work.Many hours of standing in the Cafe watching paddlers out on the whitewater finally paid itself off. Other then that nothing much to report Shoulder was a bit sore this week but paddling normally just made it go away.Another non stop weekend is ahead.Training early saturday and sunday, school work, Karels bday party, Working and if I have time relaxing.Anyways here is my new laptop cool aint it

32 Years In The Making

Im sure you have all heard how Australia broke the 32 year drought last night by beating the Japanese in a game which came down to the final minutes.Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura (I think thats how you spell it) scored the first goal in the 26th minute-a goal which was a result of a dreadful refereeing blunder-Australias goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was clearly knocked out of the balls path by two japanese players contesting for Nakamura's cross.Several attempts to level the score were saved by the Japanese goal keeper.Then with six minutes left of the match Tim Cahill leveled the score from a long throw in by Lucas Neill.Minutes later Cahill cannoned the ball into post which richoceing into the net.Aloisi added a third minutes later to give Australia the best possible start to the tournament and its first ever World Cup finals win. I say bring on Brazil we are going to kick there balls into the goal.The controversial goal which could have possibly led to Australia losing their opening game.Our first goal in 32 years So far from home yet there are so many Australian suporters.

World Cup #3- Le Seu D'Urgell

The third and final world cup for 2006 was held in spain over the weekend.All but Robin and Waz made the semi finals with robin missing out on a semi final berth due to a controversial 50 second penalty given to him on gate three.Our best results for the weekend was Kate Lawrence who made the final and came 10th and Mark and Lachie who came 9th in the final.Matt gabb came 28th,Kynan 22nd,Sam 18th, Hooch 38th, Jaqui 23rd and Vic 24th.The next event for the team is the World Championships in Prague in August.
K1
Peter Kauzer Slo
Alex Grimm Ger
Dejan Kralj Slo
C1
Nico Bettge Ger
Juraj Mincik Svk
Michal Martikan Svk
K1w
Jennifer Bongardt Ger
Jana Dukatova Slo
Elena Kaliska Svk
C2
Jiras/Mader Cze
Benetti/Masoero Ita
Simon/Simon Ger

Very Cold Weekend In the Water

At the moment I am thawing out after a long day in freezing cold conditions.How freezing has this weekend been.Well on saturday morning the water was turned on for the first time since they fixed last drop.The new last drop is stepper and you take quite a big hit as you land.So far many people have been worked including some beginers whos first expirience of Whitewater was last drop.The damages so far are a paddle that just sunk in last drop and never surfaced and tori edwards tail snapped as she landed.Today we had another coaching clinic but the conditions weren't what you will call comfortable.The day started early with a 815 session which was walkbacks on the top section.After lunch it was back onto the course and into gear which was frozen.Unfortunately Tims gear found its way into a cold shower just before the session.After a weekend of paddling it is now time to hit the books and do some H/w.... dammit! Check out the pics of this weekends thrills below.

4 Day Weekend Woohoo!

Well tomorrow we have a pupil free day which is great cause it makes the long weekend even longer.The plan unfortunately is not to relax but it is going to be full of things to do.Firstly I have yet to complete a chemistry assignment which will take up at least friday,Saturday is paddling, work then bludging.Sunday is the big day with another coaching clinic which will run all day and monday will be a day of school work and relaxing.Today's session was another 60' paddle followed by the gym-my boat is coming to the end of its days and I am counting the days til I get my Zig Zag.Also they have poured the concrete on last drop and water should be running on saturday,they fashioned the concrete different to old last drop so we should expect a different feature.I know the photos below are not related at all to this entry but it is just reliving some certain moments of New Zealand. This was Tashes breakfast every morning it is simply weat bix mashed up mixed with nutri grain-would you eat it?
Im sure you all heard gages KO blow to the elderly man this was the result.

Moving right on...

Completely Empty

Well debris from last drop has been cleared and it is all set to be fixed and should be done by the end of the week.It is interesting to see what the bottom pond is like with water.Lots and Lots and Lots of crap has accumulated over the years with most have centred itself near the pivot spot.Now the stuff that has been found so far,watches wedding rings,around $30 in change a couple wallets one that joel found had $100 in it.YEt to be found is a genuine rollex (serious there is one in there).Also I should take time to silence the rumours,the grates on the pump inlets do go all the way to the bottom(I cant remember who told me that).I went for a long paddle today and I am well and truly recovered from sickness and back on track.Here are some pics

Augsburg-World Cup #2

German Jennifer Bongardt

Well the second world cup which was held in Augsburg over the weekend is over.The aussie's did the rest of us paddlers back home proud with our best results being Victoria Milne finishing in 13th and Robin Bell 11th narrowly missing out on progressing to the final due to a touch.The team now travels to spain to compete in the third world cup in seu.Below 1st 2nd and 3rd placesK1
Erik Pfannmoller Ger
Helmut Oblinger Aut
Fabien Lefevre Fra
C1
David Florence Gbr
Juraj Mincik Cze
Michal Martikan Svk
K1w
Elena Kaliska Svk
Stepanka Hilgertova Cze
Violetta Oblinger-Peters Aut
C2
Becker/Henze Ger
Volf/Stepanek Cze
Bowman/Smith Gbr

Helmut paddling to a silver medal-what a tank

PWS --- P.O.W

For all you non local paddlers this is what is happening at the stadium at moment.Water is not going to be flowing for around a week starting yesterday.This is due to an unexpected cracking of the foundation near last drop.So to repair last drop they need to pump out all the water of the bottom pond.

Back On Track

Well ive been out of the boat and in the bed all week thanks to a nasty case of tonsilitis.It is amazing how quick something like a throat infection can come and just shut your whole body down.Monday I was still paddling whitewater and then the next day I shruggled to get out of bed.The doctor gave me some antibiotics and it is now friday night and I am feeling nearly 100%.
Today I went down to do a session and learnt that their would be no whitewater on for the whole week(bummer)due to maintainence.Apparently it is going to fairly big repairs mainly in the bottom pond.The raft guides had to build a sandbag wall across the entrance to the flatwater warm up lake in order to pump the water out of the pond.I think credit must go to them seeing as they were packing bags of sand from 10-5 and placing them in freezing cold not to mention deep water.It will be interesting to see no water in the bottom pool.

I thought the post would look plain withour a picture so....
Nz Team 05 Jetboating-Muz and Maddy