NOC Shoot Out: Update from Canada’s Worlds Hopeful: Kalob Grady

Kalob is currently sitting in second place at the NOC Shoot Out and was kind enough to write this quick, radical update for us: Check it Out:

This years annual NOC shootout started off with a great atmosphere on Friday night.  Despite the rainy weather, all competitors were here to register and get in some last minute practice.  Rain continued through the night which raised the levels beyond expected and threw some people off.  So with a new feature, a sunny blue sky, and everyone fired up.  The prelims began.

 

Starting the day off were the youngest competitors, the Cadets.  These youngsters could be recognized on the water by their Shooting Stars going big in the hole.

 

Next on the agenda, were the Junior Boys.  3 heats of upcoming boaters hit the water.  Throwing huge tricks and sticking them easily.  The junior men were an awesome class to watch.

 

Next group to style the feature were the stylish Junior Women.  These ladies charged hard and came through with some solid tricks.  Some of these girls even put the junior men to shame.

 

The paddlers that were so good they only needed one blade took the water next.  Even with half a paddle, these 4 put up scores that would have placed them in the Men’s finals.

 

The best group of people, who use half a paddle and don’t bother with the skirt either are the OC1.  Despite these “disadvantages” they still threw down with style.

 

The experts were up next, this class is for the men and women who are here just to have fun and show what they got.  Although, I believe some should have entered the pro class, because they can throw it down with the best of them.

Showing us all how it’s done, the Pro Women were fired up and ready to go.  Throwing Big and often, these ladies were not messing around.

 

The last, but not the least; Pro Men hit the stage and definitely did not disappoint.  Fighting for valuable points in The Point Series, these men threw entry moves, Air Loops and McNasty’s.  Sticking these tricks like this hole be trashy.

 

All in All.  Sick first day of the ShootOut.  With demonstrations on products from Jackson Kayak, Pyranha, Dagger, Shred Ready, Liquid Logic, Werner Paddles, and Kokatat Watersports Wear.

 

I’d like to Thank all the Sponsors of this event, especially Nantahala Outdoor Center, Jackson Kayak, Shred Ready, Nanatahala Brewing Company and all the volunteers who makes great events like this possible.

defy ordinary,