ICF World Championships Milan Italy

Hello, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the 2015 Sprint Racing Season. It was a long season with lots of improvement and learning. I had to review, refine, and define a new lifestyle, diet, and training program. The end result was a consistent 3-5 seconds off my previous 200M times. Although I had a few decent times in 2013, I had plateaued and was pounding the water trying to get past those times. I traveled to FL twice and worked with Deb Page the Canadian Paracanoe team and fellow KL3 paddler (Christian) which helped greatly. One factor that was different was this year, I was not fighting to keep my head above water and make it down the lane for 200M. I was able to absorb and learn each race. I gained experience in the starting blocks, that I experience once a year, at the championships. I learned that being an intense person, I need to use additional gears to maintain my top speed; not over exert and lose efficiency trying to increase my max speed during the last 100M of the race. 110% attempted effort is 90% efficiency, I need 100% effort and 100% efficiency. The end result being C finals in a very competitive field of KL3 paddlers all fighting for country quotas for 2016 Paralympics in Rio. My Finals Race starts at 5:30 seconds. I am lane 1, which is top lane, farthest from camera. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdSMYNrbPFc

SideStix

Hello World, In the middle of training and focusing on upcoming team trials a person can feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. It is always nice to have a little pick me up. Sidestix published me in their blog this month. https://www.sidestix.com/blog/ One of the coolest things is people who have seen the blog were unaware of the capabilities of these arm crutches that are leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. Unfortunately, there are two recent soon to be users of assistance aids due to the challenges life has to offer. I hope they are able to get moving forward with life again soon. US Team trials in a week. Stay tuned!!!!!!

Preparing for Worlds

I just returned from the Ted Houk Regatta in Seattle, WA. It was a great event with awesome course personnel. From the race course layout, the schedulers and announcers, the planners and organizers (Tami, Phillip) to the location itself Seattle Canoe Kayak Club (Neil). Thank you for welcoming me and helping me with boat use and access to the rest of your facilities. When traveling a few thousand miles for a few minutes of racing, one of the biggest stressors is the logistics. Your help allowed me to focus on racing.

Florida Training Camp

New knee

After patiently waiting I finally get to demo the Bartlett knee. After breaking and wearing out my old knee numerous times over the years, this event is exciting. It is lighter and more efficient which will reduce hip fatigue. I could even pedal a bike again..... I'll probably try stationary at first. Makes for an exciting opportunity to challenge myself on dry land.
I am also waiting on side stix. In the next month I should be able to traverse the earth.......
After a few hours making adjustments things have changed....
The new knee will not work as expected. It is sport specific and what I need is a hybrid that I can go from walking to high levels of activity. Versatility is important with a diverse activity level that is apart of my life.
Back to the drawing board......