Surf World Kayak Championships about to begin

By Devon Barker

The opening Ceremonies were last night (beginning at 10pm…) for the 2009 World Championships in Surf Kayaking. We have boat check in where they inspect the two different divisions to make sure our boats are to the specs and rehearsal for the opening ceremonies. You have to love the schedule here in Europe. The festival site includes a swimming pool on our beach site where you can cool off and test kayaks, 3 stages, and restaurants. There is a live music throughout the whole festival. The fireworks began at 1 in the morning. I enjoyed them as I walked back to the hotel.

Training in my HP or short boat has been good. I have been working on finish cartwheel moves and spins and blunts on the face of the wave. I have not been able to train in my IC or my long boat as it was not allowed on the plane with me. It is 118 inches but united no
longer takes over sized if it is past 109 inches. If you are planning on traveling on United take a look at their website as they have a new oversize/sport equipment section and the prices. The prices now range from$250 to $500 each way. My short boat was $400 one way.

My long boat did get on US Airways with some of my team members and I just used it for the first time. It was awesome! I am so glad it is here.

The beach dump has softened and my sand rash is healing. My knee is still infected from one landing where I hit the beach, popped my skirt, grabbed my boat and took two steps toward ssafetywhen the next wave knocked me down and tumbled me and my kayak together in the beach dump.

Valerie Bertrand is here with me. We are having a great time surfing as she is a really great big wave surfer and really pushes me
to try additional moves on the waves. The rest of my USWest team is great and really fun to train and be with them on the team event.

Team and Individual events will run for the next 10 days. Our motto- Enjoy the wave but get off before the beach dump!
Devon