Australian Wildwater Championships Event

Event Calendar 2012 : Australian Wildwater Championships Event

Start Date	:	06 Jan 2012
Event End Date	:	07 Jan 2012
Organised by	:	Canoe Tasmania
Event Location	:	Mersey River, Tasmania
Country	:	Australia
Type of Event	:	Classic and Rapid Sprint
Level of Event	:	International
Age Level	:	Juniors - Seniors - Masters
Entries Close	:	18 Dec 2011
Contact Name	:	Andrea McQuitty
Contact Address	:	4 Beach St, Leith, Tasmania 7315
Mobile	:	0407407001
Email Address	:	canoe.tas.@canoe.rog.au
Event Website	:	http://canoe2012.canoe.org.au

The 2012 Australian Wildwater Championships consists of the Rapid Sprint (Jan 6) and Classic Race (Jan7), followed by an Australian Team Selection Race on Jan 8

The Top 5 Canoe & Kayak Tips

The two main obstacles to every paddler’s advancement is the shortage of boating buddies as well as the lack of skill development. It certainly is more enjoyable to paddle canoes and kayaks with others but this is not the only impetus propelling one’s search for a paddling companion. Kayaking and canoeing in groups is a simple matter of safety as well as the best way to improve one’s skills. Every whitewater kayaker knows the disappointment of finding out that the local river is at optimal conditions only to remember there is no one to go with. Regardless of the level at which you canoe or kayak, this list of 5 suggestions will help you not only find new paddling friends it will also help you further hone your skills.

1.      Go to Canoe and Kayak Festivals & Expos

Going to canoe and kayak festivals is by far the most exciting way to grow in this sport. These events offer a great venue to meet other boaters, try out new equipment, take a free lesson, find great deals on gear, and even watch the pros doing what we love best. Paddling festivals occur all over the country and at different times of the year. It is conceivable that a person could actually fill up his or her paddling calendar just by traveling from event to event. Check out the “Festivals & Events” section of this site to learn specifics about the different paddling events around the U.S.


2.      Join a Local Canoe and Kayak Club

Almost everywhere there is water you will find a local paddling club. Paddling clubs are great for the simple reason that they are made up of regular people who are looking for a way to connect with others who share their passion. Joining a club usually provides members with two main things. First, there will always be someone you can learn from. Second, you can usually find someone who paddles at the same ability as you which always makes thing more enjoyable. Visit the “Associations & Clubs” section of this site to find a club near you.

3.      Join the American Canoe Association and the American Whitewater Association

The American Canoe Association is the foremost authority on canoeing and kayaking in this country. American Whitewater advocates for boaters rights and river conservation. There are a few reasons to join these associations. Each membership comes with a publication on the latest news and events around the country with regard to paddling. They also have post the latest standards, tips, and information that every paddler should make sure they know. Finally, since these associations are nonprofit organizations, your membership serves as a donation to the causes of the sport you love so much

4.      Try Out Other People’s Canoe and Kayak Gear

The most useful way for you to understand how the equipment you use affects your paddling is to try out all types boats, paddles, gloves, and whatever else you can get your hands on. I always recommend trying out the boat before you buy it. Many shops will charge you for the right to demo one of their kayaks. Every time you are on the water is an opportunity for you to try out other people’s kayaks and canoes. Most boaters will welcome the chance to swap boats with you while in an eddy or at your favorite surf spot. Your best bet and first round of boat swaps should be among you and your friends. To learn more about the different kayaking gear and  canoeing gear go to the "Gear &Equipment" Section of this site.

5.      Take a Canoe or Kayak Paddling Lesson

The best way to improve your paddling skills is to take a lesson. Its one thing to learn a sport informally through the help of others and it is a completely different thing to learn the proper technique that will advance your skills to the next level. This tip goes for paddlers of all levels. If you are just starting out, take a beginner’s lesson. If you are an intermediate take a more advanced class. Even if you consider yourself an expert, why not become a certified instructor? There are even whitewater kayaking schools, if that's the genre you're into. With each lesson you take your level of ability will increase by leaps and bounds.

Source : here

SEA Games: Myanmar takes swipe at Indonesian hosts

PALEMBANG — A leading Myanmar sports chief has criticized Indonesia's handling of the Southeast Asian Games, a report said Monday, vowing his nation will do better as hosts of the competition in 2013.

The run-up to Indonesia's Games, co-hosted by Palembang and Jakarta, was peppered with issues including delays in building venues and struggles to secure enough accommodation for athletes and officials.

Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw will host the next SEA Games in 2013, 44 years after the country last held the event, and a senior sports official pledged to learn from Indonesia's mistakes, Singapore's Today newspaper reported.

"Myanmar will do better, maybe better than Palembang. We will try our best," Naw Tawng, Myanmar's chef-de-mission at the Games, was quoted as saying in a rare swipe at a current Games host.

"We observed how to operate and do the opening and closing ceremonies, and secondly, for all the sports. Thirdly, (areas like) the accommodation and transportation."

The former Myanmar Football Federation general-secretary said issues at the at the 40,000-capacity Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium during the opening ceremony pointed to wider organisational problems.

"There were no ushers. The VIP and public entrances at the main stadium in Palembang were the same. It was very confusing after the opening ceremony and not safe," he said.

Naw Tawng also promised accommodation would not be an issue in 2013, with around 25 hotels in Naypyidaw and a further 40 in Yangon able to handle the visitors.

Around 7,000 athletes and 2,500 supporting officials from 11 nations are expected to descend on reclusive Myanmar for the 2013 Games.

Indonesian Games organizers have admitted they struggled to be ready for the competition but blame a government failure to release key funds to complete building work.  — AFP

Source : here

Hungary's Renata Csay Collects her 10th Gold Medal in Singapore

The final day of the 2011 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championship came to a close in Singapore with the K2 men senior, K2 women senior and C2 senior titles awarded to Hungary and Spain.

Men's K2

In the K2 men senior category, world champions Alvaro Fernandez and Walter Bouzan (ESP) successfully defended their title with a winning time of 2:05:46, ahead of Romain Marcaud and Edwin Lucas (FRA) and Michael Odvarko and Jakub Adam (CZE) in second and third place respectively. Two-time K2 senior gold medalist Fernandez said, “Our strategy today was run as fast as possible on the portage and conserve energy in the water, and we did it. I am very happy to win my second gold medal in the World Championships.”

Woman's K2

The intense humidity affected some of the teams competing in the K2 women senior race. K1 women senior silver medalist Anna Alberti and team mate, Susanna Cicali from Italy retired before reaching the quarter-mark of their first lap. The K2 women senior race saw three other teams – RSA, GBR and ESP – pulling out by third lap as they tried to manage the heat. There were also teams who thrived on the challenging conditions with the Hungarians, leaders Renata Csay and Ramona Farkasdi and fellow teammates Krisztina Bedocs and Alexandra Bara, putting up a strong performance in the waters and on the portage. Their impressive feat led to a one-two finish for the Hungarians and the Spanish duo of Maria Perez and Naiara Gomez added a bronze to their medal tally. “It was a very hard race, my partner and I could have gone at a higher speed and I am very happy to win my tenth gold medal. I will be back next year,” said Csay whose latest win equals Spaniard Manuel Busto’s career best of 10 gold medals in the Canoe Marathon World Championships.

Men's C2

Hungary also ruled in the C2 men senior race as Attila Gyore and Marton Kover beat second place Eduard Shemetylo and Olek Shpak (UKR) and third place Mateusz Kaminski and Plawski Bartosz (POL) with a winning time of 2:01:57.

The 19th edition of the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships saw a total participation of 39 nations and a record of 12 Asian nations, and also marked the first time a canoe world championship event takes place in Asia. “The Singapore Canoe Federation as a first-time host for a world championship has done a good job in organising this event. The Marina Bay right in the heart of the city set against the beautiful cityscape of Singapore is a perfect venue for water sports events like canoeing and kayaking. We have enjoyed Singapore’s wonderful hospitality and hope to return in the near future,” said Istvan Vaskuti, 1st Vice President of the International Canoe Federation who was in Singapore for the World Championships.

The 20th edition of ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships will take place in Rome, Italy from 18 to 23 September 2012.

Photos: © Singapore Canoe Federation

Medal Tally

Canoe Marathon World Championships - Medal Tally

K1, K2, C1 and C2 – Junior, Under-23 and Senior categories:

Countries	Gold	Silver	Bronze	TOTAL
HUN	6	3	6	15
ESP	3	2	2	7
NOR	2			2
POL	1	1	1	3
GER	1			1
AUS	1			1
RSA	1			1
GBR		2	1	3
FRA		2		2
CZE		1	3	4
SWE		1	1	2
UKR		1		1
ITA		1		1
POR		1		1
DEN		1		1
POL			1	1

Canoe Marathon Asian Championships - Medal Tally

K1, K2, C1 and C2 – Junior, Under-23 and Senior categories:

Countries	Gold	Silver	Bronze	TOTAL
SIN	7	7	2	16
INA	2	1		3
IND	1	3	1	5
JPN	1	2	2	5
CHN	1		1	2
IRI	1			1
HKG	1			1
KAZ	1			1
THA			1	1

Source : here