Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Center Re-Opens for White Water Paddling

Some great news!

From Saturday 13 June, The Holme Pierrepont NWSC White-Water course awill be open from 3pm - 8pm on weekdays (Monday, Thursday and Friday) and from 10am – 3pm at weekends. Customers must book a slot online before visiting the site with 1.5hr session available at different times within.

There are some conditions we must follow as described on their website which inlcude details on where to report on arrival which I will list below but please check before booking incase of any updates!

To book a slot visit:

www.nwscnotts.com/nwsc/onlineticketing/browse/82/91

Information

• On arriving please report to the White Water Cafe Window
• A one way system is in operation for arrival and departure of the White Water area
• The changing rooms are closed. The public toilets and the outdoor shower are open
• Please vacate the activity area 10 minutes before the end of your session.

Rules

• Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your session
• Maximum 16 paddlers on the course at one time
• Maximum 2 paddlers per eddy
• All paddlers must observe social distancing guidelines at all times
• Paddlers must ensure they can proficiently self rescue (eskimo roll)
• Paddlers must ensure they can proficiently paddle grade 3
• No intentional swimming
• Paddlers must be prepared to give way to upstream paddlers to ensure social distancing guidelines are achieved
• Ensure social distancing is adhered to when using the path
• Slalom gate positions are not to moved by paddlers, spectators or coaches
• Ensure all personal equipment is fit for purpose and in good working order
• Wash your hands before eating, drinking or smoking
• Please use the outdoor shower and/or shower at home

Canoe Slalom Quiz

Test some of your Canoe Slalom Knoweledge with this short quiz I put together for my local canoe club to try
while we are in LockDown measures.

Can you score 8/8?

Up & Down Under

As some of you might know I've been battling with a back indury for some time and after things took a turn for the worse last year I've barely been in a boat.  My passion for competition is still in mind but  my focus will first be to fully recover before putting my body through any paces.

With that in mind I've taken the opportunity to explore some of the world without paddling being the focus and landed in Australia to see if the grass really is greener on the otherside.

I arrived in Perth in early January and embarked on a road trip along the south coast before heading north with Brisbane the final destination.

Stay tuned to see what I've been getting up to down under.

Adidas SickLine 2015

It was such an honor to take part in the 2015 Adidas Sick Line Extreme Kayaking World Championships. With maximum entry capacity reached in both the men and women's category's the team did a great job in organizing and running things as smooth and safely like they always do.

Coming into the race I had one mission and that was to go one better than last year and make it into the finals. With the start line packed with some of the worlds fastest paddlers it was never going to be an easy challenge.

The qualification course includes a one minute or so flat water sprint which was always going to be the crux of my goal. Despite being a few seconds closer to the fastest time set than last year, I finished up in 68th place, 20 down from the cut for the quarter finals.

With my racing complete I got to watch the top boys and girls crushing the lines in the finals. There was a lot of exciting action and so much inspiration seeing Gerd Serrasolses nailing every run taking the win in every round and deservedly being crowned 2015 World Champion.

It was also super moving to watch David Bain take second place with some really sweet paddling stepping up onto the podium just ahead of 3 time World Champion Sam Sutton in 3rd.

This year saw a championship format for in the women's category with 25 women on the start line. An awesome job from Mariann Saether for taking the title ahead of Jenny Chrimes and Alona Buslaieva, some really awesome runs and tight racing all round.

 | AdventureX | Desperate Measures | Pyranha Kayaks | Battle Oats |

Getting The 9R wet on the Wellerbrücke

So its time been a while since I've been on proper white water and I was super excited get the Pyranha 9R wet. I received my brand new set of Lettmann Paddles and had them set up ready for action before our monster journey.

Here's one of my training runs Wellerbrücke rapids that will be hosting the 2015 Adidas SickLine World Championships in just a few days time. The levels are low which is making things tricky with a few different lines to choose from.

It feels so good to be back on the water keeping warm and dry in my Nookie Paddle sports gear. A big thanks to AdventureX too for their support in making it possible for me to be here.

Adidas Sick Line Time

I have been recovering well over the last month or so and beginning to get back in a boat more and more. I've decided I'm going to risk my progress and head out for the Sick Line - Whats the worst that can happen right? If I stick to solid paddling and keep focused on my posture my physio thinks all be fine - that's a green light in any paddlers book.

I offered a seat or two on the way out and ended up with a full car, with 5 boats to load up on top. I had to make some modifications to my roof bars to accommodate everything - nothing a couple of bed frame bars and duct tape couldn't handle!

Security had a field day searching my car but of course, my made it through as did our river knifes.

The journey across mainland Europe was long with lots of road works and with getting stuck in some major traffic following a crash on the Auto Bahn which required resurfacing before we could continue on.

There was a lot  sleeping going on for pretty much the whole 30 hours of travel - but not at the wheel. We made it!

How to replace 1.6 TDCI / HDI Fuel Filter and bleed DIY

So after having previously changed my fuel filter on my 2009 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI and finding there is no manual bleed, and being a full canister swap as apposed to a straight forward gravity fed filter change I had an air lock in the system and thus had the none start issue it appears so many of you are facing with DIY filter changes.

My Father being an ex mechanic I've learned some along the way and devised a cost effective alternative to the official equipment used by Ford in the dealership garages and put together this tutorial video to help those who are struggling with this issue.

The filter comes in a canister and is not separate so is pricey (around £40 from none dealer ) but all you will need is a 8mm socket set, a one way valve bulb, a link to which is provided in the video details, and some clear tube.