Claire O’s Gear Picks for 2020

by Claire OHara | Sep 24, 2019 | Creeking, JK Team Posts, Playboating, Whitewater, WW Disciplines

In 22 years of kayaking I have come along way from my wild water bucket helmet, ribbed panel life jacket, borrowed kayak and paddle and a funky thick wetsuit. Looking back to be completely honest I loved that gear. That gear was awesome. It was my gear. It was warm,...

A very different summer

by Claire OHara | Oct 17, 2018 | Family Zone, Internationalisation, Trip Reports, Trips, UK, Whitewater

In April we got the very exciting news that we have a little one on the way. Due in December me and Jez couldn’t be more excited about the new addition to our life. We knew things were going to change but not as quickly or as majorly as they did. I had a big...

Calling all female freestyle kayakers- I challenge you too…..

by Claire OHara | May 16, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Internationalisation, Playboating, UK, Video, Whitewater, WW Disciplines

Check out this highlights video I made 4 years ago!!! Worlds rides don’t just happen they take years of hard work luckily in the sport of freestyle kayaking those years of hard work are awesome fun. During an epic session on an amazing perfect flood water hole...

The Salmon River – A Boaters Paradise Claire O & Jez take 22 kids down this amazing stretch of white water and capture it in an incredible film

by Claire OHara | Apr 5, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Family Zone, Karma, River Running, rivers, Trip Reports, Trips, Video, Whitewater, WW Disciplines

There is one place that I never had on my bucket list and having just been this summer I now highly recommend every kayaker out there add this trip to their list. The Salmon river in Idaho is stunning. It is without doubt a boating paradise, remote, pristine,...

The Dream : The Reality

by Claire OHara | Mar 30, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, Playboating, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW Disciplines

12 years ago I had a dream to represent my country in the sport I loved and to give my all to try and win a medal. This week I added two more golds medals to my collection. Years of hard work, dedication and amazing experiences That first worlds back in 2007 I...

Inside the World Championships with Claire O – Day 6 – Finals Day – A smashing good round

by Claire OHara | Mar 28, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, Playboating, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW Disciplines

This was it, 10 years on from watching the freestyle finals live in Canada* wishing that I could be out there throwing down, here I was in Argentina about to go into my 4th Freestyle Kayak World Championships finals and amazingly I was going into it in 1st place....

Inside the World Championships with Claire O – Day 5 – Quarter & Semi Finals – A smashing good round

by Claire OHara | Mar 26, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, Playboating, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW Disciplines

As I look at the open front of my kayak and see almost all the way through to the inside I can’t help but smile and laugh as I remember Jez and a few others that morning telling me before my runs ‘to go out there and smash it!’  I must remember...

Inside the World Championships with Claire O – Day 4 – C1 and Womens Prelims

by Claire OHara | Mar 24, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, Playboating, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW Disciplines

The sun shone bright as we woke up ready for another big day of action. This time it’s both me and Jez competing as its C1 and Women’s prelims day. The Frenchies hid from the sun between heats Jez leaves early as he has an announcing meeting before his...

Inside the World Championships with Claire O – Day 3 – Mens Prelims

by Claire OHara | Mar 22, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, Playboating, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW Disciplines

Everyone is here with their own personal goals Today was the men’s prelims. The biggest of all the classes with over 6 and half hours of non stop freestyle. Still exhausted from the Squirt boating event today was my enforced rest day as my freestyle would kick...

Inside the World Championships with Claire O – Day 2 – Jnr W & M Prelims

by Claire OHara | Mar 20, 2018 | 2016 Rock Star Competition, Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, Playboating, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW Disciplines

Waking up knowing I had just won another World Championships was an amazing feeling. As I opened the curtains and looked out over the lake the view was insane. The wind had settled and the lake shone bright blue and calm. I felt a mix of emotions excitement, relief...

World Championships with Claire O – Day 1 – Squirt Boating

by Claire OHara | Mar 18, 2018 | Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, rivers, Trip Reports, Trips, UK, Video, Whitewater, Wrap Ups

  Squirt Boating was a massive day and the perfect start for the competition. For many it was a day off, a day to enjoy the surrounding area and support friends and team mates as they took their turn to compete. For everyone involved the squirt boating class it...

Inside the World Championships with Claire O – San Juan, Argentina- Opening Ceremony

by Claire OHara | Mar 16, 2018 | Australia, Event Coverage, Events, Internationalisation, Playboating, Whitewater, Wrap Ups, WW Disciplines

2017 ICF World Championships The 2017 ICF World Championships opening ceremony kicked off the whole event in style. Straight after the last official team training finished the hole was closed to all competitors and the whole World Championships community headed into...