Long live Rodeo!

There’s been a lot of talk over the last few years about whether freestyle is dead. I’ve just got back from a cracking weekend at the National Student Rodeo and I can assure you that if freestyle is dead, rodeo is fully alive and kicking!! Nearly 700 paddlers turned up at the newly developed Holme Pierrepont Slalom Course (for the third year running) possibly the biggest freestyle event ever.

Once again, despite the rain and wind the students showed everyone how to have a good time - Paddletwirls, jumping in and power flips were the order of the day. Paddy had the space themed party jumping till the early hours and, 3200 pints later, everyone got up to do it all again, this time in glorious sunshine! Colanders on heads, blue faces and dance-offs on the bank..  Team paddlers Ed Smith and Lowri Davies took the men’s and women’s titles and Leeds University won overall – winning the custom Dagger GT.

I’m sure there’ll be a lot of photos circulating once everyone’s recovered but here’s some to start it off.

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone from Leeds University Canoe Club and River Legacy for showing bringing rodeo back to its roots!  Roll on NSR 2010! Check the NSR Facebook group and website during the week for more.

In other news, the new slalom course rocks! With more features and less flat between the drops it feels more like a real river than before. The Plughole’s back and there’s a couple of great new features. More soon…

Tim