Jez Blanchard had a nice showing at the World’s. Here is his recap of the event from Jez.
Ok, so these world championships have by far been the most amazing competition I have ever been a
part of. Firstly the location, the Nantahala River has always been a place
where it seems a whole lot of paddlers learned how to boat. The beauty of the
Blue Ridge Mountains here I feel is unsurpassed. Rolling green mountains with
crystal clear water passing through the gorge.
I was extremely fortunate to
be asked to announce the event which I am grateful for. I was a part of almost
everyone’s finals experience and seeing some of the best paddlers in the world
get some ridiculously good rides while commentating this was oh so special.
The Australian team was
asked to do a few school presentations to a couple of different local schools
about paddling, Australia and the world championships and it was awesome to see
how these kids really listened to our presentation. The entire town got behind
the event, with the community of Swain County putting in the time effort and
money to create a World Championship feature we do appreciate what a strong
community can do for freestyle paddling.
The best part of this world
championships was sitting down in the eddy waiting for my run. I actually took
a moment to look around and I was able to pick out in the crowd my friends from
Australia who came to represent Oz, some of which I had taught how to kayak.
Looking on river right above the judges stand I saw a large group of kids that
I taught to boat and have recently got the paddling bug through my instruction
at summer camps in the southeast. I also saw work mates from the summer sitting
in the bleachers and my boss too. Bryan who is a very good friend was even
taking pictures of me in the eddy with his new project Green River Photography.
As well as this I looked around and saw some of those that have supported me so
well throughout the years including EJ from Jackson who I have been with since
before they even started production of their first boat back in 2004, Lisa from
Kokatat, also my great friend and coach Claire O’hara. Seeing all these folk
actually made me a little sentimental, this was like I had come home to paddle
with everyone that is special in my life right there.
The other most amazing part
of this world championships was seeing my life come full circle. I started
kayaking on the rivers in and around the area and to be able to come back to
Western North Carolina to compete and represent my country in the same place I
started this dynamic sport was one of those moments that I find it difficult to
describe.
Yes I have won three world
cups before, and yes I took home only a bronze, however for me this was truly
the high point of my paddling career. I want to thank all of those that made
this one of the most memorable paddling moments ever.
Jez