PADDLER 26
Words : Del Read Photos : Del Read
PADDLER 26
GB FREESTYLE
Academy Camp 2023
Words : Del Read Photos : Del Read
If you were in Nottingham at Holme Pierrepont white water course at the end of August , you might wonder why every eddy and feature seemed full of teenagers in playboats . The reason was that the GB Freestyle Academy Camp was happening ! This camp aimed to improve and inspire young paddlers in freestyle kayaking , something I was lucky enough to be involved in .
WHAT IS THE GB FREESTYLE ACADEMY CAMP ?
As you can tell from the name , this was a week-long camp run by GB Freestyle , which focused on developing junior ( 11-17 ) paddlers in freestyle . The core purpose of the camp was for the paddlers who attended to have a great time , develop their freestyle and other skills and then leave and continue to grow as paddlers and freestyle as a sport .
If you asked one of the juniors what the camp ’ s aim was , they would probably say to improve and develop freestyle skills . If you asked any of the adults , they would have said there are multiple aims , such as ; 1 . For everyone to have fun . 2 . To build self-confidence . 3 . To develop communication and teamwork skills .