World Cup Mission Part 1

Tuesday at 2pm we will arrive in Prague.

The reality is setting in that this time next week Nadia Almuti and I will already have been in Prague for over a day. This reality is exciting, yet slightly disconcerting considering neither Nadia nor I is really the type to thoroughly plans things out. Hopefully we find some place to spend the night. I am traveling to Europe as a member of the US National Freestyle Kayak Team to compete in the World Cup of Freestyle Kayaking. The 2008 World Cup consists of three competitions over a course of three weekends in Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. My results during Nationals at the Fibark rodeo in Salida, CO this past June qualified me for the team and this competition. Since Fibark my reaction has changed from ‘I could never go to Europe,’ to ‘Wouldn’t Europe be incredible?’ to ‘Well, we bought plane tickets, I guess we’re going to Europe!’ Unfortunately the American dollar is not quite as worthy as the Euro and with skyrocketing gas prices most of my summer wages from working at CKS have gone to gas stations to pay for weekly creeking missions. But, thanks to Colorado Kayak Supply, Ska Brewing, and Pyranha Kayaks I will be able to make this trip a reality as long as European ramen is not significantly more expensive than it is in the states. Hopefully you did not miss our Jell-o wrestling and Ska Brewing drinking fundraiser last night at River Runners. If you were not there, you missed out on a good time, but do not worry, you still have a chance to help support the cause. CKS is auctioning off a new 420 donated by those awesome folks at Pyranha Kayaks. I used the 420 last season and would be stoked to still be paddling it around if the new Rev did not come out this year. The 420 is a full on playboat, but that does not hinder its’ river runner capabilities. Excelling at front and backlooping HUGE, the 420 is a great boat for your local playpark, running big water, and boofing the low volume river. Here are some pictures of me in the 420, which may or may not be proving my point. But, what is a blog without some pictures?

Thanks to everyone who came out to River Runners to wrestle in Jello and drink some delicious True Blonde donated by incredible Ska Brewing. Check back in with the Colorado Kayaking Chronicle for more Nadia and Nicole World Cup adventures.