Lets Go Canada Lets Go!!

The 2011 World Championships have begun !!!! Today was the first day of races, the course was fast, the athletes were fast and we are looking forward to more of that in the coming days. 

There will be live feeds of the races on Eurosport as well we have heard a rumor that Sports Net may broadcast the event ... so keep your eyes peeled if you are in Canada ;)

Here is the link to check live results. We used it today while we were at the hotel; it was pretty much instantaneous, which is really nice.
The speed of this link is just one example of how awesome a regatta Szeged and the Hungarian Canoe Federation are putting on.
 http://szeged2011.com/live-results

Go CANADA Go :D

Dream Big !!!

We have arrived in Hungary and in just 3 days the World Championships will start. The city of Szeged is hot and although there are things to do I find myself staying close to the hotel not doing too much. Today I was passing time on the computer. I hit the usual; facebook, leaderpost.com and then I checked into the Cross Canada Canoe Odyssey groups website. Sounds kind of random if you don't know my friends but the CCCO gang is paddling across Canada in Clipper canoes. They began this long journey in April and are well on their way. They are currently paddling along Lake Superior.
They are following a path less traveled both literally and figuratively. I say literally because how many people go on a cross country road trip in a canoe and figuratively because they are living their dream, through the good, the bad and the rough waters.
I find them inspiring. Not only are they making history because when they finish (in the planned time) they will have crossed our beautiful country faster than any other group who has also attacked this amazing feat. As well the ladies in the Canoe Odyssey group will be the first ever to finish the journey in one season. But, that is not why they set out to navigate the countries waterways. This journey began so many years ago. Years before I knew any of the crew. This dream began on small lakes, with family and on canoe trips up north. It began with child like wonder and a desire to see what people around them were talking about. This dream started with naive notions but grew with each individual into a reality that could not be put off any longer. 
I feel very lucky and very honored to do what I do for a living. Something we do not see very often today is adults stepping out of the safety of everyday life and going after a childhood dream, a dream that gains no fame or fortune. My friends are on this adventure because of a love for paddling, a love for nature and a love for this bountiful country that allows them this type of opportunity.
My friends Stephanie and Whitney wrote a blog post, http://cancanoeodyssey.sportisite.com/news, and while I read it, it reminded me of why I love canoeing and kayaking so much. It reminded me of how awesome it is, how much history there is and how lucky I am to be able to kayak all over the world representing my country. Her blog, informative and innocent as it was, has gotten me really excited to start racing. So- here we go. Its the week I have been waiting and training for, for months. This is go time and there is no time like the present to step up and live your dreams, or so I have heard;)

As a side note: Something else I find really neat about following my friends journey is that they are using this trip to raise awareness for a truly great cause, The Nature Conservancy of Canadahttp://www.naturecanada.ca/advocate. /wildlife_conservancy.html?gclid=CJS3yruuz6oCFZIH3wod8HBezw
Check it out!!!

Fun in France!

When I signed in to my account today there was a nice little blurb letting me know that it has been over a month since I last posted anything. It has been a pretty busy month full of training and travel. I was able to enjoy 2 weeks at home with my family and friends, not consecutively but 2 whole weeks :D
We are now in France at our final preparation camp for the World Championships. This is my first time in France and it is everything everyone said it would be, absolutely beautiful. I love it. The country side is filled with rolling green hills, sunflower fields and white cows. What more could a prairie girl ask for ;) 

 

Yesterday we drove to a town called Panne D'agenais. It has been voted one of the most beautiful in France. It is very old, quaint and peaceful. We enjoyed the sights, did a little bit of shopping and finished our trip with some delicious ice cream. 

 

Travel is never very far away ... Saturday we are off to Szeged for the World Championships. I am excited to race . The World Championships just the words alone can bring a flood of emotion and excitement but Szeged is where I had my first major competition wearing a Canadian jersey and racing for my country. In 2005 the Junior World Championships were held there. I can still remember the butterflies and the adrenaline flapping and pumping through me. This year I expect a few less butterflies or at least better managed ones. I also expect an amazing crowd. I have never seen people who love this sport as much as the Hungarian people. They are inspiring! I am posting a link to a video they have put out, it gives me goose bumps ...  I hope you enjoy.

 

Later this week I will post the links to the website for results. As well I believe there will be a link to a website where you will be able to watch the events live ( if you are awake).