Shoulder Health Part 1

Shoulders are a valuable tool for kayakers whether flatwater touring or hucking big drops with a much higher degree of importance than any single piece of kit our shoulders are a vital component of the engine of our kayaks, over the next few posts I'm going to elaborate on my own surgery, rehabilitation and with the help of Jenny Ridley shoulder health and conditioning for paddlesports.

 

Injury

An injury is one of the biggest barriers facing any athlete.
Injuries can be caused a number of different ways and preventative measures can be put in place to reduce the likelihood of sustaining an injury.

One of the biggest causes would be overuse this can be as a result of too much training but more likely poor posture and or technique whilst trading. This is most likely to happen when fatigued the body will be trying to "cheat" making the activity easier to avoid pain. This is an education by using training plans and knowing your own body rest days can be used allowing the body recovery periods.
With in paddlesport it's import to plan and take rest days when away on trips or expeditions allowing the body recovery time otherwise there will be a noticeable drop in paddling ability due to fatigue. Many people will head to the alps during the spring having only paddled occasionally beforehand think about taking a day off the water.

Accident

Injuries can be caused through accidents by yourself or another. Falls and slips are always a risk but can be minamised with correct footwear and or roped systems.
On the water accident can happen with tripping edges rocks and waves. Be sure to know your limits and understand the risks. By putting your self on rivers above your ability your putting both yourself and others at higher risk.

Understanding risk vs reward and knowing when to walk away

This is what makes a good paddler a safe paddler. Many young paddlers think they are invincible and takes a big scare to bring them back down to earth. You must learn to have both the understanding and knowledge to know your own ability level and an understanding of the consequences you face to then make an informed decision of your actions. Walking away is a perfectly acceptable option in all cases.
Paddlers will keep pushing the bar opening new lines and moves but they do this knowing their crew are solid and also understand.
Injuries sustained when pushing outside ones ability are likely to be much worse as panic will factor, causing people to forget some of the most simple things.

Swims

So swims are basically covered in the last section but being out of your boat can be one of the worst places to be, having a good knowledge of defensive swimming and knowing when to walk will lower the risk.

 

My Injury

So understanding the risks is one thing but trying to avoid them is another.

My Injury was a result of my own negligence for my body.

At the time I would neve have admitted anything but having educated myself further over the past 18 months I can look back and see the mistakes I made.

Early in 2014 I had decided I wanted to paddle everyday I got to day 94 before injury.
In hindsight I could definately have reduced the risk by actually taking rest days and listening to my body.
In early 2014 I had purchased a Gui Gui Easymix and had recaptured the love for freestyle kayaking, alongside my creeking.

With world cups coming back to Europe and friends travelling whom I had not seen in 5 years, I made plans to compete. Training hard and paddling really well again. But during a training session at Sluice a few days before traveling to king of the alps in Italy, as I set up on the feature for just one more trick.

As I plugged for a big air loop I left a blade trailing in the water so as the boat lifted and came over the blade remained "caught" in the flow . As the tail came over the blade released with force. Earlier in the session I would of held the blade but due to fatigue the power of the water propelled the shaft towards me. Whilst midloop I felt the impact unsure what had hit me but I was upside down, disoriented and alone. Like a brick had hit my temple. A lucky recovery and I was right way up but unable to comprehend what had happened.
As I floated to the get out I struggled to just keep the boat vertical. I remember getting out of the boat and feeling instant nausea.
It turns out my helmet had lifted a little whilst inverted and I had hit myself with my hand gripping the paddle shaft in the right temple giving myself serious concussion.
I spent the next week attempting to work struggleing to even look at a computer screen unable to concentrate for any period of time and determined to fly to Italy a few days later.

Arriving in Italy I was still having headaches and having to sleep every few hours, I couldn't concentrate for any period of time.
Physically I was in the best condition I could be, but mentally I just wasn't at the races.
On a spin in the magnificent Passer Gorge I came through onto the waterfall making the entry but pushed left and over rotated landing on the right blade putting a huge impact through my shoulder the pain was like tearing my arm and my neck unable to move and my upper chest cramped with pain.

I continued to paddle the race and a few days away with the Pyranha team tour in Oetz but I was visibly carrying an injury at the time assuming it was just a strain some high water fun left me surfing a big hole as the strength wasn't there to pull the boat through.

Returning to Ireland I had just 7 days until heading to France for freestyle world cup 1 in Millau. During the week I had a number of sessions with a local physio who did her best to patch me up knowing I was determined to go. Her feeling was that part of the reason I had damaged my shoulder was due to protecting my head, she proved her point whilst dry needleing and applying different pressures to show that yes my head is connected to my neck! I continued training everyday working hard but the pain remained.

Arriving in France to the town of Millau just in time for team training. Fortunately I was the only representative for Ireland so joined another team for training.
My first couple of rides just getting the feel for this new feature a small low volume hole at the top of the course. Cartwheels , loops and space godzillas were coming through nicely for the third ride I wanted to practice my tricky-woos.

I initiated on the right, splitting the tail and went to reach around for the third end as I did I realised I hadn't quite enough edge with the water pushing the boat and my blade in opposite directions, as the boat rotated I felt a pop like a balloon sucking away and exploding on my right shoulder the pain was torturous for the next second I was underwater unable to roll unable to breath a last gasp drive at the water and I was upright. I went to push the paddle and felt a pain the length of my arm releasing my grip and leaving me flapping. With some help from others I was on the bank out of the boat lying flat on my back with my eyes closed trying to comprehend what had just happened.

 
Luckily medical team was on site who put me in a van and onto the local hospital. Lots of drugs and a massage later I had dislocated my right shoulder but it had dropped back in almost instantly.
The hospital were great got me checked out and into a sling to minimise use. They recommended visiting a doctor on my return to Ireland.
This left me extremely sore and unable to hold a paddle let alone get in a boat

Unfortunately again I didn't listen. Having travelled all that way I wanted to demo a new helixir before ordering my own. I couldn't even hold a paddle yet but 4 days after the dislocation I got into the boat on the flat dropping superclean flatwater cartwheels and splits loving how the prototype felt, As I went to reach to take a stroke the pain was immense once more the arm cramped and I got out tail between my legs knowing I certainly shouldnt of been back in a boat.

On my return to Ireland after the swelling had dropped I continued with physio sessions they recommended getting an MRI to see the extent of the damage caused as I had a lot of instability in the joint.
So off I went to visit an Irish GP unlike anywhere else in the world in Ireland you pay your €60 then basically dictate to a GP what you want them to write on a piece of paper so he sent off my letter to the shoulder specialist stating I was a high performance athlete and needed to be seen ASAP

soooooo

2 months later I got a call to go and visit the hospital.
I met Dr Hannon Mullett who is the Number 1 shoulder guy in the country he was fantastic, identifing the pain and the cause and understanding how the injury was caused, he administered a steroid injection to help relieve some of the pain.
This worked for day to day activities but paddling still hurt me a lot.

I was then booked in for an MRI scan this came through another 4 months later.
So in I went for my Arthogram whereby they inject a dye into he joint to get a contrast on the MRI. Into the big machine buzzing and humming whilst I wait with headphones on trying to relax.

Another 4 months passed before I get a call to review the scans at the hospital, so in I trot, first being told that there is a small tear but that wont be causing any issue and how could Kayaking result in such an injury, a few minutes later Dr Mullett comes in and within approximately 18seconds he leaves me on the floor crying like a small child in absolute agony before pointing out to the registrar the extent of the damage and that it will require surgery.

The MRI shows a small tear in the Labrum as well as an impingement and a lot of fluid in the shoulder joint.
I asked Dr Mullett can I paddle and what I should/Should not be doing he told me not to take up smoking but to do as much as I can as I shouldnt make it much worse - (famous last words)

So off I trundle to Europe for 2 weeks of big creeking racing and waterfalls. Day one on the passer race course I came through a simple class 4 rapid on the exit I pulled a right hand stroke as the pain gripped me the cramped chest the same tearing pain was back I couldnt comprehend on the morning of the race I was driving around trying to buy anti-inflammatorys and physio tape.
I lined up at the start knowing that just finishing the race would be a bonus, I hadnt been training and I wasnt fit but I had a lovely paddle regardless choosing not to paddle the finals course knowing I was not strong enough for it (at last I had learnt)

Another day and we hit the Inn in Switzerland running at huge flows I decided to go paddle another sore day and for the following day I turned down the paddle choosing to drive shuttle (twice in a week id made a good desicion)
A couple more rivers and a couple of rest days I was really getting the hang of looking after myself but unfortunately far too late.

I returned home and waited
and waited
and waited
And went to sickline!

not to race but to watch, I made 4 runs of the wellebrucke rapids falling down the racecourse my boat ability was there but my strength had deserted me, the pushy whitewater was too much for me as I hadnt paddled or trained.

Then eventually 7 months on from the last appointment my date came up for surgery.
I was booked into the Cappagh Hospital at 7am ready to go into theatre I was high as a kite and out of my tree by 8am. unfortunately I then go left to wait until 2pm before it was my turn the surgery was due to take 60-90mins then a bit of time to recover from the anesthetic they said about two hours.
At 2:30pm I was looking at an ultrasound showing my shoulder and neck where they were going to push the nerve blocker in and thats the last I remember.

I came around at 8pm having spent 4 1/2 hours in theatre.
I didnt even realise I was wearing a sling for the first hour I couldnt feel anything for nearly 2 days no pain at all all I realised was I had a nappy around my shoulder to protect the 6 incisions.

Once in theatre they had found a lot more damage than the MRI had show this was mainly due to the fact the MRI scan was a year old at this point and I had done more damage through continued paddling.
The surgery was split into a few parts
Repair - to sew back together the tear in the labrum the small tear they were expecting had expanded hugely to a very serious Bankart Lesion Tear

A Bankart lesion is an injury of the anterior glenoid labrum due to anterior shoulder dislocation.
These labral tears make the shoulder unstable and susceptible to repeated dislocations.

Stabilisation- As part of the process they then want to stabilise the joint by attaching anchors into the bone and sutures to support the joint.
Because of my level of activity I had 4 anchors each double tied to create greater support.

Decompression - this is where they basically shave off the impinging bone and then scrape away scar tissue and remove the build up of fluid in the joint.

After surgery I spent one night in Hospital, because of the drugs I felt no pain and slept fine.
After coming home I was to wear the sling 24 hours a day for the first 8 weeks this meant no driving and not allowed to use the right arm whatsoever. Of course I did do small things but my range of motion was limited I couldnt even scratch my chin.

Now 9 weeks out I have finally removed the sling, reporting to the hospital physio every other week to monitor progress. I am building a range of motion, still unable to life my arm above my head and in a huge amount of pain when I stretch or reach too far.

 

The biggest thing now is just being able to trust the joint again as its stronger than it was originally.
From taking to people and physios the recovery is likely to be 6 month before I can get back paddling anything that moves before that I may be able to float calmly in the shallows.

The rehab in constant and never ending. Im not great at keeping it punctual but am doing plenty and can see the improvements I can now reach my head and tie my shoelaces so coming along well.
The biggest thing is not to rush back and I feel I have learnt the self control to stop and think about whats going on.

The next step is pure rehab starting from the basics posture and balance whilst rehabing the shoulder its key to fix everything else to reduce the risk of a reoccuring injury
In the next post we will look at shoulder health some simple exercises and stretches to keep your shoulders strong and healthy

Since the injury I have paddled my new Helixir just 4 times so definately looking forward to getting her back out when im strong again

Thanks to all the surgeons doctors and nurses whom looked after me unfortunately the 18month wait was long and slow but eventually worthwhile.

Also thanks to all the sponsors who have stayed with me whilst out injured I promise once im fixed to get some mega content out!

Yak Adventure Paddling, Keen Europe, Jack Wolfskin, Pyranha Kayaks

Closing of another chapter.

After 2 years and 9 months as Watersports Manager of Great Outdoors, Dublin I’ve decided that its time to move on,

Id like to publically thank everyone instore for firstly giving me the opportunity back in 2012 they came to me with a plan and that they wanted me to be a part. at the time it was a gamble on their behalf but over two years on the the gamble was rewarded with a thriving kayak business once more.

And Secondly, for putting up with me, whether it was the stores lads constantly shipping boats, or the web manager to help with products and promotions everyone in the store was always super helpful

Id like to thank Ken Costigan and Derek Moody the two directors in the company for the time and effort they have put into the business and the help they have given me.

The Great Outdoors is 40 years old next year and I now feel like part of the family, the managers and staff were open and friendly but were all actual outdoor people who understood what was needed because they did it. I want to wish the store and it management all the best for the next 40+ years.

So about me,

Simply sometimes a change is needed, I've spent the past few years contending with Dublin bus in and out of town on a daily commute and its mind numbing, I spend more time on the bus each day that I could be using to paddle or enjoy. The store change around and loosing the watersports store had a huge impact on me losing part of my personality with it.

all the time I spend on the road paddling theirs so many times I wonder why am I going back. money is surely not the motivation so its got to be about enjoyment and the spark. once the spark has been extinguished its time to move on. 

I've a few plans up my sleeve but for the most part I wont be too far away, Ireland is a small community and I'm still a paddler (an injured paddler but still a paddler)

My main plan is to get fit again, with surgery later in the year to repair a torn Labrum, before then I can get fitter to help speed the recovery process to get me pushing hard again.

I want to be back on the water again, coaching, guiding and doing the things I'm good at, I wont be walking away from Kayak retail completely by rekindling a relationship with Colm @ I-Canoe, now I won’t be the competition but an ally I'll still be able to point people in the right direction for the kit they need.

Alongside these the creation of a new website is a high priority. More info will come later on this project but its a new idea and plan not really currently facilitated in Ireland. but I need to learn more on websites which is delaying this.

and did I mention myself and Jen are getting a new Puppy…. I guess its another life change His names Marlon and he's had an accident and also needs to work on some rehabilitation

So lastly thanks to everyone who has supported me and Great Outdoors, Customers and friends, if you ever want some advice or a chat give me a shout.

See you on the river

Adrian

What’s my buzz??

So this morning Phil, a colleague of mine asked myself “How's the progress with the hospital?” I replied that “The only efficient part was their accounting department” He then asked me… “So what’s your buzz? You know for when you can’t get on the water, what do you do?” I looked at him bemused by his silly question he continued “You know when I can’t go running I lift weights gives me the same buzz”

I thought about what he said for a moment with no real answer to him, I have no “Buzz” so I started asking myself, what is my buzz and where can I find it, these might seem very personal questions but a real idea that could be explored, so I told him “let me think about it and I'll let you know!”

The “buzz”

the word with a thousand meanings, (and I haven't even checked the dictionary!)

 Buzz like a bee, Buzz buzz the greeting, Buzz-ard flying so high, Buzz the annoying noise from a radio, Buzz as a lift approaches, Buzz the atmosphere from a huge crowd, Buzz the warm feeling inside that gets you going, Buzz the terrible kids game, Giving you a buzz on the phone, Buzz or an electric shock.

So for this topic I'm going to use Buzz as to mean the warm feeling inside that gets you going,

For as long as I can remember kayaking is the one sport that continues to give me enjoyment as a junior donning my shorty wetsuit for cold days on the creek (Stoke Lake) back home in Gosport freezing to the bone but cannot wait for the following week, to now being able to zip into my drysuit for wherever my next adventure takes me. Kayaking has given me so much with so many disciplines its shown me how to train and stay motivated on a goal its shown me adventure and expedition, its given me determination to push on when the seas howling in, it gives me the fun and freedom to surf big waves and fall on waterfalls. Kayaking has shown me hard times too, losing friends and putting myself in difficult, dangerous (don't tell my Mammy) situations, its given me injuries and proved I'm not indestructible. Kayaking has taken me to places and allowed me to meet people I never would of met and given me the respect of nature and her elements.

Kayaking is more than a hobby for myself and that's where the #Paddle4life came from, its all about my journey and I feel my journey is still only a journey not all paths need to have a end point merely milestones along the way. at the moment I'm currently heading for the rehabilitation milestone of fixing myself, this chapter of my journey I could call injury, its a part of the book that id love to write off but as an experience I learnt a lot about myself and my body, I need to refer back to this chapter often in the future to remember the feeling of waiting and being patient, and putting in place preventive measures to make sure I don't rewrite this chapter of my journey,

 

In the distance I've got other milestones these are my goals my aims and they are all in sight, the plans for King of the alps, Jura, Sickline are all there. just over the horizon there's always another adventure and goal but at the moment its about being realistic and getting myself back into the best shape possible.

I feel kayaking is my buzz and I don't have anything else to replace it. I can ‘do’ other sports but they are for fun they are there to complement my time on the water, some climbing, a bit of biking, anything involving an adventure, Id love to try some surfing as well but these are merely complimentary and not a replacement. The Buzz is the enjoyment the warm feeling if you think of something you love to do and in the best scenario close your eyes and believe your in that environment the sounds the smell the feeling, this feeling right here this is your ‘Buzz’

For myself a piece I wrote in a blog a while back keeps coming back to haunt me, summing up my buzz in one go.

The feeling of flying, or the feeling of falling one of the two, that last stroke to pull through and let the boat release from its downward pull to accelerate away from the pool and into the clear water. That’s a feeling I miss as I look at photos from sickline last year and cant wait to be back. Paddling is about feeling the water and the flow and forms it takes that's what I think of that's what I dream of and that's where I want to be.

 

I participate in kayaking hugely because of the friends I meet and for the moment I get a huge amount from simple things like a coffee with paddling friends or some coaching without hurting myself. I love watching other participate the smile on their faces because I really understand what they are feeling, its the same feeling I get every time I sit in a boat.

Luckily for me I've met an amazing girl who also understands my buzz and what it means to me, and will help however she can to get me back fighting fit and support my adventures. In return I will do whatever I can to support her adventures, she's a girl of many talents and expertise, and for me I get to help her hugely through support and through equipment I will do whatever I can to give her the best opportunity to explore as many adventures as possible with simple modifications that will really help her along the way.

Whatever your buzz is get out and do it, there are ways and means to facilitating participation in any activity and as long as it makes you smile its certainly worth doing.

#Paddle4life

Pyranha Kayaks 9R Review

The New Pyranha Kayaks 9R just how good is it?

I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of the first Pyranha 9R’s coming out of the factory with the plan set for 5 weeks of travelling and paddling it was a great opportunity to test the new machine.
After collecting my new toy from the factory and hastily unwrapping it from its plastic cocoon the first thing that stood out was "boy she's a narrow one!" and we weren't wrong at just 64cm almost the same width as a new small Burn 3 it was narrow. Length wise she tucks in at 271cm or about 8ft11” to sneak inside that 9ft race limit

With all of the Pyranha boats using the new C4S outfitting is a dream come true, having been out of action the past 3 months with a shoulder injury I've had a lot of time to look at outfitting and seat positions in relation to comfort and optimal position. I really believe the seat in a boat like the insole of a shoe. It is what provides the support and balance for which everything connects. If you have a good seat the backrest and hip pads are just a luxury.
So once unwrapped I took to the outfitting, lifting the seat both front and back pitching it ever so slightly down at the front. I feel that this keeps you sitting upright and by holding good torso tension really allows you to get the power down.
Adding the foam plate to the footrest and some hip pad shims to really lock off the fit she was ready to hit the water
At 190cm and 86kg the thoughts of a 72.4 gallon boat just sounded small but with ample footpace and a really nice knee position this boat felt comfy from the off.
The boat came as a display and flat water demo for the 2014 Junior Paddlefest (flat water because there was no water in the river) with a lot of hype and attention, the rocker profile had just about everyone astounded wondering if you'd ever touch the water.
Weighing in at just under 20kg makes this boat a dream to carry and lift with some big boats around all carrying big weights this made a healthy change.
As I arrived in Oetz with my new toy I couldn't wait to get her on the water, starting with a warm up on the lower Oetz, a cruisy run nothing big and scary but enough to get a good feeling for the new boat.

Being my first time on a river in about 4 months since my last visit to the Oetz with the Pyranha team van after King of The Alps I was working my way slowly to try not to aggravate the injury
From the off, she was fast... Like really fast.... Really really fast! The light weight boat meant you could accelerate quickly and once at cruising speed extend the stroke and she will glide on all day long.
As you accelerate you feel the boat lift keeping the nose high and dry, shedding water and crushing over just about anything. In and out of eddies she was fast and manoeuvrable, turning on a sixpence and charging out, the new rail was predictable and true. The narrow width meant you could really pitch the boat into turns to snap it around. Something the Shiva just wouldn't quite do, the ability to switch edges on landings meant you could carve away from drops and flares without as much as a paddle stroke, just speed and edge.
Whilst pushing the boat on the Vent and middle Oetz and you start to get an idea just how good this boat is, On first look this boat is designed primarily for racing but in a river environment the 9R is fantastic, responsive and fun, surfing waves and carving around the river, the lifted bow stays high without pearling, boofs are stable and predictable and the landings are soft.
Having spent a week warming up in the Oetz valley it was time to play on the Wellebrucke, now this was what the 9R was built for so I really wanted to see how she behaved.

Unsurprised the boat was just plain brilliant, it couldn't be faulted, fast and smooth (maybe something to do with the pilot) but a fantastic ride. She held the lines tight and switched edges with ease the feeling of accelerating away from champions killer and towards the finish line is something words cannot explain with this boat its all about the feeling, the feeling as the boat lifts and drives, the feeling as it releases and the skip and bounce as the power goes down and the speed you come away with, blink and you'll certainly miss it.

Having leant my boat out to a few guys to demo the feeling seems to be mutual, its such a fast responsive boat that just wants to be pushed, by easily adjusting the seat position you can slip forwards or back to engage the rails and hold her online. I did wonder if I'd see her again with all the love of the boat i felt like a mean old man taking the toy away from the kids.
So the question on everyone's lips 'your boat works in Austria now lets see it on your local low volume runs! Will it work?' So on return to the Emerald Isle I was straight to Cranafest taking place in Buncrana, Co. Donegal for a dam release race down the claw a class 4 drop. Still not ready to race I set about lapping the course to see how the boat worked now it had to touch rocks. Again the boat handled superbly hitting the flare in the centre and engaging just enough rail to pull right, by getting in an extra stroke on the lip let the bow continue to lift as you pulled the last stroke the bow cleared the thundering foam below and sailed away towards the finish line.
With the lads watching in astonishment they thought I had just got lucky but after them test driving her for themselves they were hooked! 2 near on perfect lines took 1st and 3rd place out of 122 people taking part in the night time floodlit time trial. The 9R was really proving her worth then taking a third place in the silver expert men's boater x and a 2nd place in the expert women's boater x, the 9r was on fire, only just managing to get it back into my van next up was the Dublin local run the Avonmore.
Many paddlers first taste of whitewater, a class 2/3river with plenty of S moves rock spins and the mighty Jacksons to finish. The 9R was still so much fun making every move with ease even the extra length never once inhibited her on a shallow Irish river. spinning like a demon. As we hit Jackson's I was but a passenger, the nose stayed high as I came through the curler and skipped down the ledge as if it wasn't there. The drop took but a few seconds the smile on my face endless! The 9R had passed the Irish test.
If your looking for a fun, lightweight, responsive, predictable, comfortable, elegant, fast, and fecking deadly boat you need a 9R!
I'm loving the extra speed offered by the boat as well as the rocker makes the river a drier place, This is certainly going to be my boat of choice. Over the winter I'm keen to try and push it to its limits with some big plans already in motion and plenty of steep technical Irish rivers to run the 9R will look after me, and once the races kick off again I'm certainly going to struggle with my boat in hot demand by some talented paddlers its going to get a lot of use.
If your thinking of changing boats certainly don't write the 9R off as an out and out race boat, its definitely needs to be pushed more than other boats but will reward you for the extra work. its going to make a fantastic day to day creeker and river runner with huge potential.
 
If you want to give her a go give me a shout instore adrian@greatoutdoors.ie
Or get yours online here

www.thekayakstore.eu
Thanks to Shooter and Maria McNally for the extra photos

October Travelling

The trip started with a work trip to Nuremberg for Paddlexpo the yearly European Kayak trade show to check out the latest and greatest and to see what we can do for the next year, as I was on holiday I decided to drive out this year with boats, bikes and about any other toy that would fit in the van,

Paddlexpo is a great opportunity to meet up with friends from different brands who we may  not have seen during the year as well as new acquaintances really makes the show a great place to start my trip.

After a busy start to the season to then be hampered by a shoulder injury, its given me a lot if time to reflect on what I'm doing and where I'm going,
Firstly I'm an awful patient, like any active person I'm the physios nightmare, they give a little and we take a mile then wonder why recovery is delayed.

From the moment I got injured I had my sights set on competing at this years Sickline event, since last years event I know I can be competitive, I just need to be fit, So id planned a holiday around the event bringing friends with me to paddle and share the experience, unfortunately in the weeks leading up to the event I knew myself I wasn't getting stronger and still in a great deal of pain I've hardly sat in a boat and holding a set of blades made me hurt, I had been teasing myself with the prospect,

On arriving in Austria and the beautiful Oetz valley as I looked at the course and pictured the moves I knew honestly that I was not able for it, in the days leading up to the event I took it easy paddling the lower and upper stretches of the amazing valley just testing the water and the shoulder knowing I had a lot to do before I was ready to start pushing, after a couple of days on the water I felt I was smooth and comfortable the boat was paddling well and I was confident on the water, having not been on a river since I was Last in the Oetz the beginning of June I was just happy to be out, unfortunately after paddling I noticed a lot of inflammation and soreness. So at registration I made the decision not to risk racing and didn't take my race number, for me this was a tough call and one I was worried I may regret.
As the competition kicked off I was sad not to be a part of this years race but it was fantastic to see the young lads, Cian, Conor and David holding their own against some if the best whitewater paddlers on the planet.

The lads paddled without fear showing no nerves to push their own performances to the highest level
If I had raced would I of beaten them? ?........
Mentally - I know the course, I know my ability and I know my strengths.
Physically - Not a hope! I cant pull a right stroke confidently and rolling or bracing leaves me in huge amounts of pain.
I can look at the event now knowing I made the right decision, Personally I had nothing to prove, a couple of years ago id of paddled regardless, but I guess a sign of growing up, what's more important, the fame of that 90 seconds or the next 12 months of paddling?
Its important that paddlers understand their own abilities and limitations as a good coach can understand their athletes strengths and weaknesses, the motivation to get back up after a fall is it to prove to themselves or others around them? Its important to do things for the right reasons.
Sickline was once again a spectacle with some of the fastest paddlers pushing hard with the slightest mistakes punishing them for valuable seconds.
Personally its a chance to paddle and catch up with friends from around the world who descend on the valley each year,

It was great to have a great crew of Irish paddlers at the event this year, having the craic and causing trouble like usual! A great bunch that really was a pleasure to spend time with.
After the event many paddlers headed away soon after but a few stayed behind, as I was on holiday I really had no plans with many of my plans already changed in the previous few weeks, I decided to stay where the water was, paddling and biking with friends, exploring areas of the region we hadn't come across before and enjoying the time away.

The Oetz Valley really does have so much to offer the paddling in the region is top class, having paddled there this year in both Summer (high) flows and the autumn lower level theirs just so much to keep you amused, from technical creeking to big water fun and some big holes in between the Oetz will keep the best paddlers on their toes.

Aside from the paddling the valley homes some amazing bike routes running high into the mountains from easy road rides to technical single track, higher up is the glacier one of the largest around so if skiing is your thing this place is made for it, as well the climbing the paragliding, they don't do things by halves with routes marked and set up for ease of use and maximum time taking part, just over 2hours from Munich leaves you astonished in what you will find this is definitely one of my favourite spots to be.

During the week I was lucky that Jenny decided to hang around (some peer pressure) which meant some really nice chilled paddling on the upper and the vent sections, taking in the views and cruising down the rivers before heading back to the qualification course and slalom course to push the boat around.

After a night at the aqua dome relaxing and chilling it was time to depart the valley but not before a couple of laps on the Wellebrucke, by now, a week after the event, I was confident I was strong enough to paddle the course without further hurting myself. Some nice lines really got the new 9R running, a superfast boat and a joy to paddle, keep her straight and smooth and she will reward you with speed and lift.
After paddling it was time to say goodbye and head off to Switzerland to meet the lads and deliver a boat.

 

A couple of days rest in St Gallen left me feeling much better the shoulder looked normal and the soreness had died down so I decided to head back over to Oetz to milk the last of the water, not knowing the next time id see water I decided I should make the most of it, just running laps on the Wellebrucke to really test out the boat before meeting Luca in Innsbruck for a few beers and to plan for 2015.
Another day in St Gallen and it was time to start for the ferry, calling in with Great Outdoors Team Paddler Mick Reynolds at his new place in France, drinking wine and talking waterfalls long into the night.
After a look at some local waves it was time to hit the ferry back from Cherbourg into Ireland before starting the drive up to Cranafest for the weekend.