The GB Women’s Path to the Worlds Part 2: Endurance, Endurance, Endurance!! (Did I mention endurance?)

What do canoes and milk bottles have to do with Raft Racing? That is what we asked ourselves when we saw what Coach Dave had in mind for us for our February training weekend!!

We met up on Saturday morning near the Dwyryd river with a fleet of canoes! We were all slightly worried that Coach’s time away from us had made him forget what it was we actually did, but all became clear as we raced each other up and down a stretch of the river. The canoes provided good endurance “cross training” and the opportunity to perfect our communication, steering and balance skills. But they aren’t called ‘divorce boats’ for nothing. Fran and Suzie, who were often paired up and sit in the middle seats of the raft along with Georgie, do not like to lose, and they are usually pretty inseparable off the water. But in a few of the races in the canoes they had a sense of humour failure because they didn’t come first. This made it all the more funny for everyone else!

Session number 2 was an intense session of sprint/endurance sets. Each length that we did we had to throw another milk bottle (tied on with rope) overboard to increase the resistance.  Although it was a tough session everyone really enjoyed it – despite the pain! Either we are becoming sick or Coach Dave must be getting through to us.

Check out some of our milk bottle training…

Our biggest joy of the weekend came that evening when Rosie handed out our first instalment of new kit from Palm. The Jackets certainly brightened up our day (and everyone else who looked at us), and we were really excited to go out and put the dry pants through their paces!

Day 2 was a simpler but no less difficult day. We did 2 runs from Horse Shoe Falls to Trevor on the Dee at Endurance pace. We had great water levels (but sadly not the sun and 30C heat we were hoping for – well it is North Wales!) and great morale. The previous evening the ‘non-Northys’ got a massage from Diane at The Body Garage who is our Team Sports Physio/Amazing person! So they were still in a state of bliss when we got started and, well, the North Wales girls are just made of sterner stuff :). And on that bombshell…

… Over the course of the next few months (7 to be precise) we are going to be doing a feature on each person on the Team, and where better to start than  Back Left, with our Captain!

Bryony Devoy. 

Bryony, you are the Captain of this lovely team, what are the good things and bad things about the role?

I really enjoy the challenges of being a captain. Bringing together the best team for the different disciplines and events holds different challenges – logistical, emotional and physical. I enjoy identifying different strengths within the individuals in the team and trying to bring out the best in our squad. It can be a little tough especially if difficult choices have to be made, but we are all so close now that the girls understand and can see the reasoning when it happens. But at the end of the day it is hugely satisfying to head up a strong, positive successful team. There is no feeling like it crossing that finish line knowing that all the months and years of lead up and preparation has allowed you to put in your best possible performance.

We see what gruelling things you guys do for team weekends (milkbottles, really?), but how do you keep fit for rafting during the month?

Anything and everything- biking, swimming, hockey, running, football…. I am really enjoying getting to know the hills of the peak district with the local Ashbourne running club, they are an excellent motivator on those dark February nights. Apart from that I have a core work out provided by our uber fit and inspiring coach Dave Brown, and as an event approaches I do a mix of strength and power work outs at my local gym.

That sounds intense, what are you all aiming for?

I have two main aims for the team one fairly short term one much longer. The short term aim is for an overall medal in the next world championships in New Zealand in November 2013. I feel that the team is coming of age, we have a core of members now who have been in their positions for a good number of years. With some newer talent settling into their seats on the boat the squad is looking better than ever. We are very lucky to have Coach Dave Brown of Acwaterra putting us though our paces, designing training weekends that wring every last bit of effort from us. This combination of experience, fresh enthusiasm and considered coaching could make all the difference in the forthcoming worlds.

The second aim has always been for me to have a happy positive squad. I think that if you have the right attitude in the boat then you can achieve great things. None of us are paid for what we do and the best way to make people feel motivated and valued is by creating that atmosphere. I’ve always hoped that by the time I retire from captaincy and from racing that there will be a solid crew to take the legacy of what Deb Cook and Lawrence Harris created with raft club in 2005. That in the world championships for rafting in years to come there will always be a British representation.

So if you aren’t paid for this how do you find funding everything yourselves?

In two short words very difficult! Travelling for training weekends probably costs the most over the year, closely followed by the expense of travelling to competitions, along with entry fees etc. We have in the past run some fund raising days (see www.britishraftteam.co.uk) but they have tended to be more about raising the profile of the sport and providing racing for the growing rafting community rather than funding our team. We have tried extreme measures in the past to raise money, one example was putting the ladies team on Ebay, but sadly we didn’t get any bids!! But we are eternally grateful to our kit sponsor Palm equipment, who provide us with our amazing kit, most recently providing us with excellent new winter paddling gear, keeping us safe and warm for our chilly winter training.

What is your most memorable rafting experience?

A self support rafting trip on the Colorado River down the Grand Canyon. Spectacular scenery, great company and amazing white water.

What is your memorable moment with the team?

Winning double gold with the men’s team at the Europeans in Austria 2008 for head to head, and receiving a spontaneous standing ovation from the rest of the competitors involved in the event.

So what are the best and worst things about being in an all girls team?

The best thing is definitely the laughs, support and encouragement that we give each other. It is competing with a group of your best mates. And the worst thing is having one shower/mirror between seven of you whilst trying to get prettied up for an opening ceremony!!

Well there you are. Next time you will be hearing from Nezza our super motivated on board MACHINE!

Words: Fran/Bry

Photos: Deb/George