Oh boy

Well the majesty of Australia has caused me to extend my stay with Michelle and Craig until march 11th. This is gonna be the highlight of my year for sure! They have a crazy busy week planned for me but then I hope after this week it will be a little more relaxed.

Missin home

Aj

Training Camp, Check

Well with the trainign camp done I now continue my journey into the deep outback! Just kidding. Just headed to Brisbane today and I'm staying with Michelle and Craig for the week. So excited. Havent seen them for 10+ years and now Craigs a dad. Hope he's still as cool as he was. Again, just kidding i bet he's still "hangin loose" I think they have a pretty tight schedule planned out for me to keep me busy. I need sleep. 4 am wake up. Uncle Mik and the family in Sydney were great! They took me in as if we had done it a million times. I love family.

Anyways I have a get plane to catch!

Cheque Please

Aj

Impossible just became Possible

By about the middle of the camp making team and going to europe seemed impossible. Until today. During fulls I paddled really well and didn't think about beating anyone except myself. Each run was about making the small things better, not my time. And it all turned out that on my second run i was 116% of Micheal. My third run I was 120%. Then off my third run, 112%. If you take our two best times and take the percents. Im 110%. Thats team. Thats Europe. This really lifted my spirits and self confidence as a paddler. It gave me an early notification that I could do it. Although everyone is extremely tired, everyone is extremely tired, meaning that even if we were fresh I can do what he can do, just a bit slower. The new goal is to stay positive and just believe in myself.

P.S

Connor your comment on my last post made me pee my pants laughing. Im excited to come home and see you guys to.

Missin home.

Aj

Double Trouble

The date was not anything to exciting. We hit minigolf then went and hung out at Krisy Kreme (how classy) The two girls were some fine respectable young australian ladies that Micheal and I took great interest in. After a three hour random date, nothing happened. Micheal got their numbers because he's going to sydney for a week and Aj was left with nothin. Whatever. It was fun and a good experience. It makes me sad too think I only have four more paddleing sessions left before i leave for Brisbane and then eventually to home. I dont ever want to leave this place but unfortuneatley a highschool diploma is calling my name. I will defineatley be reutrning here within the next 10-11 months but for a hell of a lot longer. Must find job. Need money for Australia. Can't live off mom and dad next year....as much :)

Hopeing Everyone has a good humpday back at home.

Aj

Mcdonalds in Australia?

To my beloved fans,

Im sorry for the delay on the newest post but the internet at the trailer park we are staying at is down and we have been desperate for internet. Jessica and I made the 25 minute journey by foot to the nearest Mcdonalds because in aus, they have free wi fi here! Its probably the nicest Mcdonalds I have ever been in. They make coffee like starbucks and the floor is actually clean. They play pleasent jazz and have a nice TV for the customers pleasure. Heck even the playzone looks like kids havent pee'd in it yet. Its a good Latte and good internet. Connor, you would love this place. Since the race we havent been doing anything to much. Pierre, Paul and I hitDee Why beach in Sydney and went surfing. Paul and Pierre complained about it being bad but I was stoked! Without anyone telling me how to I was standing and actually surfing consistantly! It was awesome. Although we had to sacrafice watching the girls semi finals, we still had a good day. But other then that, nothing to exciting has happened. Well excpet that Micheal and I have a double date tonight! We are going to go play Aqua golf, whatever that is. Pretty stoked.

Hope all is well

Aj

B final

Today was the B final for the K1 men who did not make it to semi's. Toally killed it. I ended up placing 31st (not such a strong placing) But it was not about the placing today. I paddled probably the best race I ever had because I felt good about it afterwards and I did not put any pressure on myself. It was great fun. We only got one run but that was alright. Props to Micheal Tayler for crushing it out and managing to grab 2nd. Just barley unable to hold 1st place and was beaten by .41 seconds. In the Semi's though David Ford managed to grab 6th place and move on to the finals while John Hasting's and Benhayward fought the good fight but were unable to make top ten, placing 14th and 34th respectivley. Jess Groeneveld and Thea Froeliche were the two Canadian Women to race in the Semi finals and Jess having a smoking run but unable to make top ten, she still was 16th place. Well done Jess. Thea on the other hand was having a decent run when just at the finish line and flipped over. The rule is is that your head must be above the water to cross the beam or it is an automatic disqualification. Poor Thea. There will be another race and she will kill it! Our C1 women did a great job as well. Haley Daniels unable to make it to the semi's is what the results say but I believe she did. But our other C1 women Katrina Van Wijk was able to grab 10th in the Semi's and then come back to surprise her competitors and stealing 8th from previous holder, New Zealands Louise Jull. Well done Canada. Not too bad I'd say. With some hard training and a can do attitude, we'll devastae the other countries and show em' what we are made of!

Proud to be Canadian,

Aj

Race Day

What a day. First international race and a not bad result either. I was hoping for top 50 but that was an unrealistic goal. I ended up 64th overall. I am not sure about what i placed within the juniors but Im guessing i was top 10. I am unsure how many juniors their were racing (hopefully more then 10 :p ) My first run was a total blow out. I came into the first up on the course and 50'd it and then screwed up in two more areas pretty badly but the rest I managed not to muck up to horribly. My second run I cleaned up the penalties and running tim and grab a spot in 64th on the second run. Pretty stoked about it. I didn't come to this race to win, I cam here to learn and do my best. It was obvious that my best wasn't to make it to semis or finals but to go and have some fun and rock the course in my own world. And i did that. So it was an all around decent day. Tomorrow there is this special invitational race that I guess I got invited to. Crazy.

To my favourite fans.

Aj

Race

Race day tomorrow. Gettin pretty pumped for it! Tomorrow is the Mens K1 qulaifications race and I'll need to make top 40 if I want to race in the semi's. Then for finals I'll need to make top 10. Theres about 85-90 competitiors in the mens k1 open class so I'm hoping I'll make at least top 50 but we'll see how it goes!

Hope everyones cheering! I'll do my best

Aj

Half day

Went for an hour LSD paddle today (Long Slow Distance) and the shoulder was ok for the first 45 minutes but then that was it. I got off the water and got some ice on the shoulder and it was fine within 15 minutes. We are goin to chill with some Koala's, Roo's, Emu's amnd many other sorts of animals at the Featherdale Wildlife Reserve. Pretty stoked. Its gonna be unreal.

Have a good one

Aj

Not a big Deal

"Close only counts with grenades and boozakas" This was said by Mike today to me. We were doing a technique session and I was unable to get a certain move and thats what he said. Then something clicked. Im not sure if it was just from an amount of frustration or if today was the day I came around the big bend in the learning curve. At the the top of the course for third runs I just told myself "Alright, Its all or nothin bud. Get your ass in gear" So I increased my normal pace a bit and it allowed to me get around things more. I was worried that by the bottom of the course I was going to be to tired to perfrom as well on the 4th run (and I was having a bit of difficulties with my shoulder yesterday". After the third run I was sitting on the conveyor belt feeling pretty proud of myself and I said to myself, faster. I really opened it up this run. Im talkin balls to the walls. I was paddleing like a bat outta hell. I was givenr' the onion. I was kayaking. It was the greatest feeling. I was .01 seconds off of having the best time on one of the short courses. And I wasn't paddleing with girls either. I have not felt so good in a while. But with hardwork comes consequences. My shoulder hurts now. I have 11 hours until my next session though. Rest Ice Compression Elevation.

Aj

Ego's

The word "Ego" is a phsycoanalytic term used to describe one who thinks highly of themsevles and is always comparing oneself to others as too make oneself better.

I am totally sick and tired of living with, training with, and just being around people who have such large egos. I am not going to give any names out but these select few will have the nerve to go to a session, refuse to take the coaches advice and then be cranky because they couldn't get a move down. Whats the point of having a coach if you can't trust them If a move is to hard to do one way, find another way to get around it. I have only been training seriously for a year and a half and I understand this concept. I understand I am still at the learning stage and I can except the fact that sometimes I have to do moves like the girls do. I get over it every training session. Why is it so hard to except something and get over it. Its better to do a move made for beginners and get the gate rather then to take a 50. Race and train with your head not your balls.

On to a more positive note. Yesterday was great! We did not go to the zoo unfortuneatley but we saw the Opera house, explored downtown, had lunch then went to darling harbour. What a beautiful city! It is one of the only Downtowns I have ever been in that I did not feel dirty after walking around in it. Although, a lot of people do smoke around here but thats my only complaint. We have plans for wednesday afternoon because it is a half day and so is saturday then sunday is another day off. And even if we don't do anything, I have plenty more time with Michelle, Craig, Noah and Ruby.

Well enough typing for one day.

Have a good one

Aj

Day off

I love days off. Its the one morning of the week when you wake up at 6 am and realize, I don't need to be up right now but you wake up and watch a movie anyways. Its the one morning of the week where you can eat a huge breakfast and think, i will not throw this up later. Its the one morning of the week where you can, GO TO SYDNEY SEE SOME ROO'S GO HIT A MUSEUM MAYBE GO TO THE ZOO GO OUT FOR DINNER AND THEN COME BACK TO THE TRALIER PARK. Caps lock intended. Yes you read right, even though the weather isnt great we decided today would be the day to go do those things because it isnt scorching hot out for once in Australias history. Today shall be epic. I am fairly excited to hit the city and go galavant around. Well I gotta get ready hope everyones day kicks as much ass as mine does.

Aj

Good Day

It was a good day. Normal morning session but this bloody swiss guy kept cutting me off. Oh well, life will go on as we now it! Well with sunday being tomorrow we get the rest of the day off plus all day tomorrow! It'll be nice to rest up but the weather is going to be to crappy to do anything so it looks like it will be straight up r and r.

Hope all is well

Aj

Comments.

Keep the comments coming! It encourages me to keep up with posts. And they get me excited.

Not in the bad way of course.

Aj

Just and ordinary day

Today has been farely ordinary. Paddle int he morning paddleing in the afternoon then hittin the gym in the evening. Its at about plus 35 right now. Screaming hot! The course water isnt even cold because its resurculated it just heats up and has no chance to cool down. Oh well, better to be to hot then to cold I always say. Im gettin pretty brown already which is pretty badass I'd say :)

Hope home gets some sun...if not lots of snow so I can come home and get on the board one more time!

Your Favourite Kayaker

Aj

What a Day

Today. Plus 40. I got speared twice. Once in the stomach and once in the back. Thank god for life jackets, almost had a reacurance of an injury! And on top of that, Hemlut Oblinger gave me a death stare. He is a frightening man. Im pretty sure he threatened me in Czec that he would put me in a hospital or grave if I got in his way again when really it was my right of way and he was trying to be king shit. What a day.

Yours Truly

Aj

Thank God for Aloe Vera

Paddleing this morning sucked. Yeserday we went to the beach and being the smart guy I am, I managed to put sunscreen all over me except on my back. As I sit by the pool with a pound of Aloe Vera on, I reflect on the morning session and try to forget the amount of pain I went through putting on my paddleing top and lifejacket. Oh man was it ever painful! The beach yesterday was a great day! In the morning we hit the gym, then went for a long slow distance paddle then went to the beach. It was a great day! Paul and Ben rented surf boards, I grabbed a boogie board and was in the water for 3 hours straight and when i came onto the shore I realized that my back felt like a shake and baked chicken. Crispy. On a more positive note, we found a nice restaraunt and had some pizza then returned to our humble cottages and fell asleep. It was a good sleep but a bit painful. Because we all got so much sun and not enough shade, the entire group had a bit of struggle paddleing today. We managed to pull through though! I love this place to much. I am definatley going to live here before I die.

Hoping Canada isn't sucking to much!!

Aj

Finally

I made it! Australia is a great place! Boat, paddles, luggage, and me all arrived safely. It was a long journey but when it was accomplished it was well worth the time. The first two days the weather wasnt great but its plus 30 and sunny today! I had two great sessions yesterday, I was hearing things from Mike I had not heard ever. It was the first time that I felt that I had actually accomplished something with hard work. I feel faster, and stronger then I ever have before. The course is great, conveyor belt kicks ass, and I am with the coolest people in Canada. Its a great group, everyone is getting a long and its never a dull moment. The training slots are a little crazy. Yesterday during our evening session there was a total of 27 boats on the water. The most I had ever paddled with was 6-10 and the 27 boats was a small number. I was paddeling with Momenti, Walshe, Ford, and Lafai. Four of the worlds top paddlers. It was a little intimidating, but I was able to pull through and paddle extremely well. So far, so good! Hope Canada is not treating anyone to badly!!!!

Catch yeah later.

Aj

Australia!

Its time for Australia! Man am I ever pumped. For all of those just tuneing in on the blog, I'll throw a couple ovies on here and there and add new posts. Make sure to check everyday because i might put a movie on or some pictures! So amke sure to keep in touch! You can make a blogger account to add comments! If you are confused on how to do so just ask my mom cause she has one. I hope you all enjoy my writing! You can also add my skype! Adrian Cole. I don't twitter and I am not going to be on facebook.

Peace out Napoleon

Aj