Claire O'Hara

Welcome

2012-01-12T10:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blogspot.

An upto date review of my life with all the latest news on my travels.

I will be updating this blog reguarly in addition to my website.

http://www.claireohara.co.uk/

Keep checking back for all the lastest news

Claire O

Claire O'Hara

World Champion Freestyle Kayak

British, European and World Champion Squirt Boat Kayak

Claire O'Hara ICF World Championships 2011

Finals ICF World Championships 2011

Claire O'Hara BBC 1 Inside Out Documentary 2011

Claire O'Hara ICF World Championships 2009

New Year- the beginning of the next chapter

2012-01-12T10:39:00.000-08:00

Date... New Years Day 2012
Location... Spot Km 11, Morocco
Paddler... Claire O’Hara

My life of late has been amazing filled with fun and adventure with some great people in some incredible places across the world.

Starting of the year, the next chapter in a memorable way that sets the pace from the year ahead is important to me. I am known for living my life to the full between the hours of 10am and 10pm, not really being into the drinking and late nights of the party scene. So New Years Eve tends to be pretty chilled and instead I prefer to celebrate the start of the New Year on New Year’s Day. For as long as I can remember I have spent New Year’s day kayaking somewhere exciting and different, with good white water, surf or sun, with a group of friends. This year was no different. This year started in Morocco, kayak surfing on the Atlantic waves.

Paddling my brand new Airtime Alushe kayak I spent the week surfing twice a day every day on the beaches along the coast of Morocco. The conditions were perfect. Starting small the waves built throughout the week and were unbelievably clean. It was interesting learning how to ride the waves in a different style of boat to what I am used too. It took awhile to get the hang of using the boats edges and I got many beat downs as I learnt how to adapt to carving across, as opposed to bouncing down, the face of the wave. During the week I jumped into a play boat for some quality airtime sessions and had the chance to go surfing and body boarding.

Morocco was a great destination for kayak surfing. Its wide variety of surf breaks, warm weather, beautiful sunshine, Moroccan culture, people and food made it a great boating destination and one to which I will return.

Happy New Year all.

I hope you have a successful, adventure and fun filled 2012.

Photos by Louise Turner

Sportsister meets Claire O’Hara

2011-12-27T06:53:00.001-08:00

By rrashford | Published: 16.12.11

With two gold medals in the bag at the ICF World Championships, squirt boat and freestyle kayaker Clair O’Hara is already looking towards next year and the 2012 World Cup.The part-time sixth form college sports coordinator is determined to continue her championship success and believes that her drive and determination will be the key.

Since taking up the sport fifteen years ago, Claire has experienced a great deal of highs including three times Squirt Boating World Champion, five time British Squirt Boating Champion and 2011 Freestyle Kayaking Champion.

Although perhaps two of the less known about ways to ride the water, both squirt boating and freestyle kayaking are exhilarating and exciting sports, if not a little dangerous too. Imagine being in a boat that barely floats whilst using both surface and underwater currents to manouvere and perform tricks – that’s squirt boating. The boat is designed to be as low in volume as possible while still allowing the paddler to float, and that’s just the beginning.

After a long day at the office, Sportsister caught up with the double crowned sports star for a chat.

How are you feeling after becoming double world champion in the kayak freestyle and squirt boating?

It has been an absolutely amazing year so I’m feeling really happy with what my training has done and my performances. Winning the double gold was unbelievable, it still hasn’t quite sunk in. It was an incredible event and I enjoyed being part of it – being able to put all my training into practice to win the double world title was just credit to the amount of work that was done by myself and the team that worked with me so yes, it was amazing

With squirt boating you were defending your title but you hadn’t made it to the finals for the kayak freestyle before, what did you do differently to not only reach the final but win it?

It was the first time I made it through to even the semi-final, as at the last world championships I focused just on the boating. I just refocused my training and spent a lot more time on it than in previous years. I gave up a lot of time working and as a self funded athlete I just realised I needed to be on the water as much as possible if I was to do well at both events so I spent an awful lot of time just getting a real good balance between the two disciplines and making sure my training was really good quality and really effective.

There must be a lot of pressure on you to defend your titles in America in two years time, how are you dealing with that?

I’m just going to take each event one step at a time really and try and keep focused as I go forward. It is difficult going into such a major event with a title. Yours is to defend it and everyone else’s goal is to beat you and take it away but with the help of my coach and the team behind me I’ve been able to do that well going into this year and I’ve learnt a lot that I’ll be able to transfer going back to defend my titles in 2013.

How did you get involved in the sport?

I first went in on an adventure holiday as a kid with my family and I really enjoyed it. We were actually in canoes and my instructor was in a kayak and I really enjoyed the canoeing but I just wanted to be in the kayak. From then I just got in wherever I could and eventually before I knew it, it had taken over my life and it was just 100 per cent my passion and my sport.

With London 2012 coming up I’m sure you’d love to be a part of it. As freestyle kayaking isn’t currently an Olympic discipline what will next year bring for you?

For me I’m going to be heading out to North America to compete on the North American circuit and the World Cup is our major event next year. I will also be competing on the UK and European circuit and we’ve got the European Championships coming up. Everything rolls on a two year basis so for us, the World Championships, European Championships and World Cups are our major events so next year I look forward to being involved in that.

You work part-time as a sports coordinator at your former sixth-form college, but would you like to become a full-time sportswoman?

I work part-time or as little as possible to be able to afford to be able to train as much as possible. My ambition is to be a full time athlete but it’s just being able to find funding to enable that to happen. At the moment I am self funding the majority of my training and competitions so I work as a sports coordinator helping to encourage young people into an array of different sports at the college. When its competition season I’m out on the water so I only work a couple of days a week so I can train as much as possible.

What would you say is the recipe for your success?

The recipe of my success is hard work and determination – I think I’ve had the ambition to get as good as I can possibly be. I’ve always had the ambition to train and get better and then in more recent years I’ve been able to get the support over the years to keep my mind on my performances which has made a huge amount of difference. It’s having the determination and drive to get better.

Do you think this is a sport for everyone, or is it only a certain type of person that will excel?

I think canoeing as a whole is a sport for everyone because there are so many different disciplines within it, so for example you have the recreational weather canoeing where you can go touring and just generally cruising around lakes, all the way into the competitive sports like freestyle and sprint racing. So I think there’s something there for everyone.

Freestyle in itself is a sport that needs highly determined people to do it. But it’s not just the really exciting sport – training for me is spent a lot of time just learning individual moves but once you get it, it feels incredible and gives you that buzz that makes you want to keep going. Freestyle is growing massively as a sport and it’s exciting that a younger generation of kayakers are there because of the nature of the explosive, dynamic, gymnastic style that’s involved in this discipline.

If you weren’t a kayaker, what do you think you would be?

I used to play football for many years and then kayaking took over from the football but I think I’d do some other sort of freestyle sport like snowboarding or mountain biking, they are sports that I really enjoy

What has been your greatest moment since you started kayaking?

There’s been so many at different stages. In the early days it was probably my first white water raft and more recently it’s been competing on the major circuits and being able to put all the big moves that I’ve been training for into practice. Actually putting them out there to perform them well in front of the judges is one of the more recent things I’ve been proud of.

As you are world champion in squirt boating and freestyle what is your favourite discipline to do and why?

I love them both so much, it feels amazing doing mystery moves in the squirt boat and doing the really slow choreographed routines where you have to control the boat throughout. I love doing that but at the same time, going out and surfing a big wave or tackling a big hole, I love doing that so as long as I’m in a kayak I’m having fun.

You have paddled rivers all over the world, what country and river has been your favourite?

That’s a good question. I absolutely love kayaking in Canada on the Ottawa River and the White Nile is really unique as you’re in the middle of Africa and have the huge waves over there. I’ve been to the Himalayas and been kayaking on some rivers where you can’t really get to dry land without trekking for days and days and weeks and weeks but that wilderness and extreme elements adds to it. But there are some incredible rivers in the UK so with so many difficult arrays it’s difficult to choose.

I know you are keen to motivate young people to get into the sport, what advice would you give to encourage them?

Go along to your local canoe club and join in, give it a go and if you try out all the different disciplines and you find one you like just stick with it and enjoy it.

Robyn Rashford, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Claire O’Hara is a Teva sponsored athlete. For more details visit www.teva.co.uk.

http://www.sportsister.com/2011/12/16/sportsister-meets-claire-ohara/

2011: What an incredible year

2011-12-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

Double World Championship win in Germany

As I look back on this year and reflect on the fantastic journey I have been on, the beautiful places I have been to, the lovely people I have met and had the pleasure to share the amazing experiences with along the way, and the many goals that I have not only set but also met, it reminds me how incredibly lucky I am and how incredible this year has been.

Celebrating winning the Freestyle World Championships with my mum surrounded by friends

2011 began for me in London where I celebrated New Year and started the year off as I hoped it would continue: kayaking with friends at Hurley weir and performing at the London Boat Show supported by family and friends. During this time the BBC 1 ‘Inside Out’ Documentary, which we had filmed during the British Championship and GB team selection series in 2010, aired across the UK. I was also nominated for Sports Woman of the Year and highly commended at the Leeds Sports Awards. At this moment it was already clear it was going to be an exceptional year filled with incredible opportunities and experiences.

Performing on the Watersports Arena at the London Boat Show

With my Dad at the 2010 Leeds Sports Awards

Next up was training: I knew I had less than 6 months to train for the biggest event so far in my life, the 2011 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships. I had big ambitions and goals for this event so training became a very high priority in my life. I was focused and goal driven, I wanted to defend my squirt boating world championships title and add to it with a medal in freestyle as well.

Squirt Boating in the finals at the World Championships (photo by Andy Aldred)

Den (Sweetwater Coaching) trained me, he helped me balance and structure my training so I could achieve maximum progression and develop as much as possible in the time available. He kept my feet on the ground and my focus real. I also had the help of sport physiotherapist Fraser McKinney (Carnegie Sports Physiotherapy Clinic) who helped ensure that I was training properly and kept me injury free. In the lead up to the World Championships I spent 7 weeks training at the site in Germany and the rest of the time was spent at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham and in the Swimming Pool at Leeds Met University.

Den Coaching me to win Gold in the finals at the Worlds

Dennis Newton : Sweet Water Coaching

The World Championships took place at the Plattling wave in Germany. This was by far the biggest and most successful event of my competitive career so far. I won both World gold medals; defending my World Squirt Boating Champion title and adding to it with the World Freestyle Kayaking Champion title as well. It was an incredible event and an amazing experience that I got to share with my family and friends.

Celebrating success. World Champions Claire O'Hara and James 'Pringle' Bebbington

After this it was back to the England to compete on the UK competition circuit. I competed at the Peak UK Summer Sausage Sizzle and at the new Cardiff IWWC. I spent some time at work and had the opportunity to take a lovely group of students on an adventure residential to the Lake District.

Students enjoying life on the rivers in the Lakes

Then it was time to jet out to the French Alps to run some coaching trips with my good friends Kelvin Horner and Kevin Beattie. A quick 10 days back in the UK and I was off again this time to Canada to train on the Ottawa river and Lachine. Then I was back in the UK for the British Championship series. A busy month or two ensued as I juggled training, competing, presentations and appearances and work both at Notre Dame 6^th Form College and on the Leeds Met University Residential in the Lakes. Training hard and competing consistently throughout the year I managed to win both British Championships titles to add to my two World Championship gold medals. I was also nominated as a Female Rider of the Year for the 2011 Rider of the Year Awards.

Rider of the Year II Awards Video from Tribe Alliance on Vimeo.

Final cut congratulations to all the winners

Scouting out our route on a Ver Ferrata above Chateau Quras Gorge

Kelvin and ClaireO relaxing after a hard days coaching in the Alps

In November the BCU held its 75^th anniversary Dinner and I was invited along. The event celebrated the incredible success of the entire British Freestyle Team and the developments in British paddle sport on the whole.

2011 GB Freestyle Kayaking Team and Staff

I am now having a well earned rest from freestyle. Instead hitting the rivers each time it rains and the gym. I am already well under way planning and preparing for 2012 & 2013. I am planning on competing at the British & European Championships, TEVA Mountain Games, World Cups and a North American Tour in the USA in 2012 and the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships at the NOC in the USA in September 2013. It looks like it is going to be another incredible, adventure and travel filled few years and I can’t wait.

Claire O

My first stop in 2012 will be in Morocco where I will be training out on the surf at New Year. This will be followed by the London Boat Show, where I will be performing, coaching and giving talks with my GB team mate and fellow World Freestyle Champion James Bebbington from the 9^th – 15^th January. You are all welcome to come along.

Freestyle World Champions: Claire O'Hara and James 'Pringle' Bebbington

Thank you to everyone; sponsors, coaches, friends and family, who have supported me and helped, make 2011 such a wonderful and successful year.

Volkswagen Van Center West Yorkshire

‘9 till 9’ - the Creek Boaters working weekend

2011-12-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

After a very dry few months in the UK the weather forecast we had all been waiting for finally came. Rain, albeit one small band, was about to hit North Yorkshire, actually to be more precise, 1 small part of Yorkshire, the Swaledale valley, for a few hours, on a very windy Saturday morning and again on Saturday afternoon. This was awesome news to water deprived creek boaters in the UK.

photo by Jen Chrimes

Here is a quick summary of how the weekend went...

9am till 9pm Saturday 26^th & Sunday 27^th Nov 2011

*2 ½ hours driving each way each day a total of 10 hours on the road

* 6.5km paddled including over 400ft vertical descent. 28 drops off a variety of waterfalls with 3 personal first descents, a total of 4 new lines.

* 4.5km walk outs, climbing over 100m of accent carrying an 18kg kayak and kit

* 20 + boaters, 1 Valley, 2 Rivers

* 60 mph winds and cold, very cold!

A fantastic weekend with ‘a great variety’ of friends.

Here is the link to a ‘sick’ video from the weekend’s antics by Sam Ellis. Can I suggest you skip the first 2 minutes and last minute and just watch the awesome boating footage in the middle of the film.

http://vimeo.com/32922996

News : Teva Partnership 'Live Better Stories'

2011-10-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

I am really excited to have been invited to join in a partnership with leading adventure footwear brand, Teva®.Teva have been helping me out with footwear for the last few years and have now invited me to join them as a full ''Teva Tribe'' athlete.

Teva is a global adventure brand dedicated to helping people Live Better Stories. Teva positively supports and promotes adventure lifestyles and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in adventure sport. Here is a video which demonstrates what Teva stands for...

I have just got back from the Teva showroom in London where I officially joined the Teva team. During the visit I had chance to find out all about the brand and check out the exciting new Spring 2012 range.

I am looking forward to being an ambassador for Teva as I train and compete across the UK, Europe and North America in 2012 and prepare for the World Championships in 2013.

In June I will be travelling out to Vail, Colorado as part of the Teva tribe to compete in the 2012 Teva Mountain Games.

This will be the first time I compete at the Mountain Games which are the USA’s largest celebration of adventure sports, art and music. I will be joining professional and amateur athletes from around the world as we converge upon the majestic mountains and wild rivers of Vail to compete in eight adventure sports (including kayaking).

Check out this link to find out more about the 2012 Teva Mountain Games http://www.tevamountaingames.com/event-detail/Freestyle.aspx

To find out more about Teva and see their exciting range of footwear check out the website www.teva.co.uk and Facebook page www.facebook.com/tevauk

New Peak UK kit and speed skins

2011-09-24T02:51:00.000-07:00

I have just been lucky enough to recieve a brand new set of custom designed kit from Peak UK.

Peak UK have just launched there 2011 Speed Skin 2 range and have logo'd some kit up specially for me. This funky new kit is super lightweight, comfy and looks great.

Thanks to Pete and the team at Peak UK for keeping me dry and looking smart out on the water.

British Championships Series 2011

2011-09-24T02:49:00.000-07:00

This year the 2011 British Championships are being held as a 6 part series with the winner not only taking home the title but also a coveted place on the 2012 GB Team.

Pringle going big to secure his place on the 2012 GB team

We are already 4 / 6^th of the way through the 2011 series with the Nottingham British Championships and Club Championships event having just taken place this weekend at the National water sports centre in Nottingham. Here is a quick summary of the series so far...

Event 1 : Nene, England

Way back in May the first event took part at the Nene white water course in Northampton, a great little venue suited to beginner and intermediate white water paddlers . The locals put on a good event and there were lots of people competing in the novice event. The main event took place in the pour over feature in pool A, a tricky feisty feature unlike anywhere else it tested paddlers ability to adapt technical skills and provided an entertaining day.

Sam Anderson flys into the lead with some massive moves on this very technical feature

Results...

1^st place Mens: Sam Anderson Ladies: Claire O’Hara Junior Mens: Quim Fontane Mase (Spain), James Benns (UK) Junior Ladies: Nuria Fontane Mase (Spain) Gabby Bates (UK) C1: Paul King OC1: Paul King Novice: Ciaran Miller

Event 2 : Treweryn, Wales

I missed this event as it clashed with my World Championships training. From what I here it was a great day in the Treweryn valley with the main event taking place in the top hole. I even heard a rumour that the sun came out.

Matt Rodgers in action

Results...

1^st place Mens: Sam Anderson Ladies: Lowri Davies Junior Mens: James Benns Junior Ladies: Rachel Bovill C1: Paul King OC1: Paul King

Event 3 : Cardiff, Wales

Next up it was the event at the new Cardiff International White Water Course. This was my first visit to the course and my first time on a conveyor belt system. The course is a lovely intermediate white water course on the outskirts of Cardiff set at a really friendly and welcoming centre. It was a night competition held under floodlights (in the pouring rain) that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Brandon Mc's the comp

Freestyle training in the main hole at Cardiff

David works on getting maximum points during the comp

Conveyor belts the ultimate shuttle

Results...

1^st place Mens: Sam Anderson Ladies: Claire O’Hara Junior Mens: Matt Rodgers Junior Ladies: Rachel Bovill C1: Mark Coleman (IRL) Paul King OC1: Paul King Novice: Elliot Goddard Flatwater: David Wild

Event 4 : Nottingham, England

This weekend saw the series return to the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. This was a whole weekend of freestyle with over 75 youngsters turning up to compete int he youth freestyle series final on the Saturday and over 80 paddlers competing in the British Championships series and Club Championships event on Sunday. Freestyle legend and 4 times World Champion Eric ‘EJ’ Jackson was over in the UK and came to help out coaching the youngsters and support the event. His first time at the National Water Sports Centre since 1995. Also on hand to provide support and coaching all weekend were the UK’d two current World Champions Claire O’Hara and James ‘Pringle’ Bebbington, Squirt Boating Silver Medalist Jamie Austin and Freestyle Bronze medallists Bren Orton and Gabby Bates so it was a freestyle star studded weekend.

Jake racks up the ends in the cartwheel comp

EJ shows us all how it is done

Claire O flying high with a nice space godzilla

EJ celebrates with Sudbury CC the winning club

Results...

Elite - 1^st place Mens: James ‘Pringle’ Bebbington Ladies: Claire O’Hara Junior Mens: James Benns Junior Ladies: Kim Aldred C1: Adam Ramadan

Open - Junior Women: Jen McGaley Junior Men: Ben Coulton

Novice - 1st place Mens: Daniel McGaley Junior Women: Alana Pain Junior Men: Jake Norman

Club Championships Winner: Sudbury Canoe Club

Youth Freestyle Series Results can be found online at www.youthfreestyle.co.uk

Coming soon...

2011-09-24T02:48:00.000-07:00

It has already been quite an exciting series so far and is set to continue with the final two series events and the official 2012 GB Team Selection event taking place over the next few months.

8^th October 2011 GB Team Selections: National Water Sports Centre Nottingham

15^th October 2011 British Championship Series Event 5 : The Sluice Dublin, Ireland

19^th & 20^th October 2011 British Championships Series Event 6 : Hurley Weir, London

More information about these events can be found at www.gbfreestylekayak.com

The Ottawa River, Canada – A playboating paradise

2011-09-24T02:47:00.000-07:00

If you are a playboater and have never been to the Ottawa river in Canada you are missing out on one of the best natural play parks in the World. It is as if someone said ‘lets design a section of whitewater that is perfect for freestyle and bulit it!

Claire O, Kiwi Courtney and Emily J paddling into the top of McCoys

On the Ottawa there are two main freestyle sections McCoys rapid and the Lorne. Separated by a very short car journey or a 10 minute flat water paddle these sections awesome for paddlers of all abilities.

McCoys is a great rapid at the start of the main channel that contains two awesome waves – ‘corner wave’ and ‘Babyface’, two meaty beatdown rather than playboated holes ‘Phils’ and ‘Satlers’ and the best squirt boat mystery venue in Canada and possibly the World ‘ Smoothie’.

The Lorne is the 2^nd section and the most popular and contains the ‘Garborator’ wave and ‘push button’ at low water, Waikiki at medium water and Buseater at high water!

Then there is the rest of the river which also has a variety of waves, holes and river play and river running on it.

North West Club Gathering, the Ottawahis is a very popular kayaking destination

One of the greatest things about this river is that most of its best features have perfect eddy access and nice long flat (ish) run outs behind them. Making them brilliant for paddlers of all levels of ability and great from training on. You can go full out during your rides safe in the knowledge that there is nothing that will beat you laying behind.

Add to this beautiful wilderness country, gorgous blue skies and sunshine and you have the Ottawa river a playboating paradise a freestylers dream.

Wilderness: a snake chilling on a rock in the middle of the river next to Babyface wave

This year I was very lucky to have the opportunity to go out to Canada for a few weeks training at the end of the summer. I travelled out with Islay Crosbie and we had an amazing trip.

Claire O and Islay travel in style with their new shuttle vehicle, an amoured Tank!

Surfing everyday we, the hole boaters from the UK, had the chance to work on developing our wave surfing skills. We joined the Jackson clan, the Keeners, the local kayakers and raft guides and several other Brits from back home on the water each day and had an amazing time.

The atmosphere out on the Ottawa is amazing everyone chats and smiles in the eddy and supports one another on and off the water.

Clay loving the sunshine and perfect levels on Garb

Claire O and Clay drop in to surf Garb in the Dynamic Duo

Stephen coaching the Keeners

During the trip I really had chance to test my wave boating skills. I find it funny being out wave surfing because I have done so little of it (relatively to hole paddling ) I always feel out of my confort zone and unfamiliar with even the most basic concepts. Luckily Den (sweet water coaching) had loaded me up with a training plan before I left the UK so I had an idea of what to start working on and how to structure my training.

I shouldn’t have worried though as help was on hand out there. It was inspirational being able to watch and train with some of the Worlds best waves boaters learning from their years of experience on the waves.

Claire O working out how to wave boat on Garb

Claire O going big backwards (photo by Jen)

Carbon + waves = fun (photo by Jen)

I have known for years that freestyle wave moves have been my weakness but this trip has helped spur the belief that thay are not unachievable I just need to focus some training and practise and they will become possible.

Islay absolutely flew during the trip and it was inspiring to watch a variety of female paddlers ripping it up and paddling so well.

Islay student rodeo training with the Shudder Rudder

Islay big clean back blunt

Islay big air blunt

Whilst we were there we took part in the Canadian Cup competition and really had chance to see the wave specialist at work. Emilt, Nick, Dane and Courtney took the top spots with some very impressive and stylish runs. But it was Stephen , Clay, Brandon, Islay and Emily Wall who stood out for me during the day throwing some massive moves and consistently good rides during the comp.

Canadian Cup Event on Garb

Claire O surfing

Emily Jackson huge air back pan am

Brandon showing off his wave skills

Clay flys with a massive back blunt

Stephen throws some holes moves into the mix

Stephen setting up for a huge helix

Here is a great little video put together by SB productions from the event

Canadian cup 2011 from SB Productions on Vimeo.

During the trip we also had chance to go to Montreal and surf big joe on the Lachine. Situated in the middle of the Lachine rapid on the massive Montreal river the wave is unbelievable. A big smooth wave, that provides hours of fun and the ultimate freestyle kayak workout.

Claire and Wyllie preparing to take on Big Joe

Stephen showing us how it should be done with 50+ clean air blunts on Pyramid

Claire O drops into the bowl of Big Joe

A super sweet green grind on pyramid

If you are a playboater or a squirt boater and want to go on holiday to a brilliant playboating destination go to the Ottawa.

Ok so I almost forgot to mention ’Smoothie’

At the very top of McCoys rapid there is a spot known to most as ‘the big river left eddy above Satlers’. But to those who know the complex art of squirt boating they know that this eddy is not just an eddy but is one of the best mystery venues in the World.

This super smooth eddyline has the perfect convergence that creates a downwards force of flow that provides some of the best ‘downtime’ in the world. Each July it plays host to the ‘Jimi Cup’ competition but despite its quality and the fact that it runs at all levels, for most of the year it is empty as the number of squirt boaters on the Ottawa and visiting the Ottawa are still very low.

Luckily I was staying with Stephen and Clay two of the main squirt boaters on the river and had plenty of opportunity to go and check it out.

Stephen set about showing me how it was done hitting consistent 25 second + rides. Up until this trip my longest rides were 15 seconds before I would panic and come rushing up for air. With a bit of guidance and coaching from Stephen I was soon hitting regular 16 second rides, which although only 1 second longer on this spot where you have to initially work quite hard to get the boat to go down needed much better technique and breathing preparation than I had ever done before, and then eventually I got my first 21 second ride.

video coming soon

Just to make sure I remained focused and determined to come back and go for longer rides Clay then dropped nad hit several 20+ rides and Stephen put down a massive 33 second ride!!! Followed by a huge flying fish (an exit air screw over a foot clear of the water in a squirt boat). Why is it that just when I think I am finally catching up with the lads they always up the game :o)

Ottawa 2012

My plan for 2012 is to spend a lot of time out on the Ottawa squirt boating and freestyle kayaking and I am hoping to run a number of trips and clinics out there. If you are interested in finding out more about where and when I will be out there and the courses I will be running please email me at ohara_claire@hotmail.com.

Massive thanks to; Stephen Wright for making this trip possible, for putting up with our British Invasion and for making it an awesome trip, Clay and Tara, Courtney, Max, Kristine, EJ, KC, Dane, Emily, Nick, Wyllie, Pete, Anna, Toni, Toni, Steph and Matthew for making it such a fun trip.

Lee Valley

2011-09-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

Blue water, blue skies, warm weather and great white water in London ??? Yes it is true!

I have just had the pleasure of paddling on the new Olympic white water course at the Lee Valley in London. I had heard great things about the new course... fast, power full, challenging, fun ... and was super excited to try it and see if it was as good as it had been made out. My verdict after 1 day paddling there is yes! The new course is brilliant.

World Champion Kayakers James 'Pringle' Bebbington and Claire O'Hara visit the new Olympic Whitewater course in London

The Lea Valley venue has been built to provide quality white water experiences for paddlers and rafters of all ages, ability levels and experiences. The new site has everything from lovely flat water lakes to intermediate white water and world class white water courses. Situated on the outskirts of London the course has been really well designed to give it a friendly and rural feel.

There are two white water courses at the site; the legacy course a grade 2 intermediate white water course and the Olympic course a grade 3+/4 fast, steep and powerful white water course, each designed with a conveyor belt to take you back up to the top after each run. The water is chlorinated as it as an in dependant water supply that is re circulated through the course making the water a crystal blue colour and the whole course seem almost surreal like it is a theme park ride venue rather than the typical white water training venues we are used too.

Young Kate testing out the legacy course

When people told me that the new Olympic course was a challenging, super fast and super steep course I didn’t really believe them as it is a man made pumped course but there were so true!

The designers have done a great job in creating a venue that provides a lot of technical and challenging features suitable for all different types of paddle sport in a really short space.

I was lucky to be there to support the youth freestyle series and got to see alot of young paddlers really exploring, enjoying and testing the two new courses.

Check out this great video from the day filmed and edited by James 'Pringle' Bebbington and Bren Orton

The legacy course is already great for freestyle with 3 nice play boating features, 1 super friendly beginners spot at the bottom of the course and 2 more technically challenging holes which will test the more experienced freestylers skills.

The Olympics course is currently set up for slalom as the Olympics are not far away but even so already has some very good features with a sweet hole under the bridge at the top of the course and a fantastic wave just below the big drop. As a course that has not specifically been set up for freestyle it is good but what is super exciting is its potential. There is enough power and energy in the course to make something really good (after the Olympics) for freestyle and I look forward to training on it again and hopefully competing there too soon.

Thank you to Matt Chadder and the team at Lee Valley for inviting me down and to the Youth Freestyle kids for making it such a fun day.

French Alp Trips Summer 2011

2011-09-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

I have just spent two weeks paddling and coaching white water kayaking and canoeing in the French Alps. Working with Kelvin Horner and accompanied by Kevin Beattie we ran a Beginners Alps Trip and then an Intermediate Alps trip to paddlers from across the UK based out of L’Argentiere.

Claire and Tom chatting boofs and flares in the sun

This was my first trip without a play boat for many years and it was great to be back onto the rivers and enjoying journeying down these fantastic alpine runs. The weather was great and the scenery and rivers were unreal. France is an amazing place to go paddle and explore and is a great place to develop your white water skills. It is one of those rare places that has something for everyone whatever your craft, style, ability or skill.

Claire and Coach Kev enjoying a morning run on the Gyr

Bob dropping into the waterfall run on the Fornel

Congratulations to everyone who joined us thanks for giving your all and putting 100% into every day. It was great to see you all progress and develop through the weeks and it was a pleasure to paddle with you all.

Kelvin enjoying a well earned break above Chateau Q gorge

I look forward to running more trips next summer. If you would like to find out more about our Alpine trips please contact me on ohara_claire@hotmail.com

What a way to spend a day... Peak UK Summer Sausage Sizzle!

2011-09-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

So its been less than a week since I won the World Championships and I am already back into competing in the UK. Good news is this one is just for fun. It is the annual Peak UK Summer Sausage sizzle event at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. This summer time event is all about having as much fun out on the water as possible and celebrating the sport of freestyle kayaking. With points and prizes awarded for everything from fancy dress to variety bonuses for different types of kayak!!! As well as the usual scores for tricks it was a great way to celebrate returning from the Worlds. All the fun on the water was followed by Trev’s Sausage Sizzle on the BBQ and Bev’s fun and games at the Peak Shop to make it an all round fun filled day.

Fun is the main aim of the day

Joe Bradley dusts of the cobwebs and goes big

Setting up for a big loop on the Inlet gate

Finishing of a great day with a BBQ and sausage sizzle at the Peak Shop

Thanks to Pete and the team at Peak UK for putting together all the activities I am already looking forward to another fun event next year.

All photos by Pete Astles Peak UK

Double Gold ... I can't believe I just won two World Championships

2011-06-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

What an incredible event.

Yesterday I competed in two World Championships freestyle kayaking and squirt boating and I won gold in both. Even as I write this I still can't believe it I won two Gold medals!!!! After many years of hard training I am the World Champion in ladies squirt boating for the second time and the World Champion in ladies freestyle kayaking.

Not only this my team mate James Pringle Bebbington is the World Champion in the men’s freestyle kayaking event. Oh my god this is unreal!!!

I have just been on the most amazing journey. I set myself the challenge of training hard to be the best that I can be in freestyle kayaking. This challenge saw me start competitive freestyle in 2001 and brought me into squirt boat kayaking in 2006. In 2007 I won the silver medal in squirt boating at the World Championship which further fuelled my desire to be better and keep training. In 2009 I won the World Championships in squirt boating in Thun an incredible feat. I had trained to be able to complete almost all of the moves, smoothly and almost effortlessly and showcased it at the event. This gave me some excitement and satisfaction but also trigged a will to do the same in freestyle.

I kept training in squirt boating working on the hardest and most complex moves making slow but rewarding progress through hours of training, whilst at the same time working with my coach Dennis Newton to master the complex art of freestyle. In 2010 I felt amazing as this hard work again started to pay off. I began to be able to perform moves I had thought impossible only a few years before. I was getting stronger and fitter on and off the water and loved the excitement of achieving each training goal and finally being able to throw a whole variety of moves. I had heard and seen the American and Canadian girls Emily Jackson and Ruth Gordan pushing the boundaries and was loving being part of the British developments alongside my team mate Emily Wall.

In 2010 at the European Championships I put my new found freestyle skills to the test and won the silver medal. Super stoaked I was fuelled with more excitement and energy to train and push some of the bigger moves. In October things really came together when preparing for the British Championships I realised that for the first time ever in the freestyle class I had too many moves to choose from and was actually in the position where I would have to plan and work out a run and leave some moves out of my routine. In training I was pulling off 800 point rides containing some of the most complex and difficult moves. The event came and I had chance to put this to the test under competition pressure. I didn't score everything and I didn't win but it was the most amazing feeling being able to try all these exciting moves. Again I was fired up and ready to train more. I had a dream that I would compete in the World Championship finals and that I would be able to challenge the best paddlers in the World with some of these move complex moves in a ride.

Yesterday I had this opportunity. Yesterday the dream came true. I made the finals in both events and in a flurry of flips and turns. I won two Worlds!!!

And now 24hrs on I feel more fired up to get out there and learn than ever before. I still know in both freestyle and squirt there are moves I still can't do. There are moves I could perform bigger, smoother and more consistently, with more practice.

I guess this is one of the great things about our sport, about freestyle. There is always more out there, more challenges, more fun, more moves. I love this sport and I am so happy that I am on this journey. I am enjoying every minute and look forward to enjoying loads more...

Thank you to everyone who has shared this journey with me.

Thank you the organisers and everyone involved in the 2011 ICF World Freestyle Kayaking Championships it was an absolute incredible event.

And well done to all the competitors and medal winners.

Loads of photos, videos and reports can be found on www.icf-freestyle.de

Day 1 ... 1950.320 points

2011-06-21T13:54:00.000-07:00

What an awesome day.

I couldn't have asked for a better start to the World Championships.

Heres a video by current K1 World Champion Emily Jackson of the Day 1 action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyS0ae0p-uk&feature=player_embedded

Today I finished 1st Place in Squirt Boating heats with a massive score of 1950.320 points putting me not only top of the ladies event but also top of the mens, and 3rd place in the K1 Womens Heats.

Amazing...

Well done to evenyone in Team GB who paddled today some awesome runs from all the athletes

Full results can be seen on the ICF website but here is a quick break down...

Claire O'Hara, Islay Crosbie and Lou Turner into the Ladies Squirt finals

Jamie Austin (1st place), Seth Ashworth and Ben Aldred into the Mens Squirt Semi finals

Claire O'Hara, Emily Wall and Jenny Chrimes into the K1 Womens Quater finals

Adam Ramadan into the C1 semi finals

Check out this link to a video of me, islay and millie performing in todays event

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715510426#!/video/video.php?v=10150220701747427&comments

and www.icf-freestyle.de for more live streaming of the event and details of times and results

Video by Nick Troutman

https://youtubeproxy.org/default.aspx?prx=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG4bqOYPUKA

Loads of rain is forecast later in the week so the organisors are doing all they can to fit the whole event into the next few days so tomorrow is going to be super busy. Good luck to everyone in Team GB competiting tomorrow...

Next step for me are the quarter finals tomorrow from 6.30pm I can't wait

GB Team : 78 minutes

2011-06-17T03:12:00.000-07:00

Yes 78 mins is officially how long our 2011 GB team training slots will last this year.

Competitiors gather at Plattling for the event (photo by Seth Asworth)

It is now only days until the start of the event and with so many paddlers now here it is time for the official team training slots to begin. This means that each day between 8am and 9pm the only time we can go out on the wave to practice is in our designated training slot. With Great Britain once again having the largest squad we have been given a 78 minute slot which works out to 3 minute per paddler. This doesn’t sound like an a lot but it works really well as it means we get some quality water time in which we can manage as a team to make sure we are all prepared as possible. The session times change each day and today we have a 3.51pm start time giving us a nice relaxing start to the day whereas tomorrow we will be up early for the first slot with a 8am start time. This year is the first time for a long time that squirt boating is taking place on exactly the same venue so an extra squirt boating training session has been allocated from 8pm-9pm each evening to help allow everyone uninterrupted training. Outside of this its open team training from 9pm – 7.45am so the wave is going to be super busy all through the night with everyone trying to get as much practice in as possible before the start of the event.

We are really lucky to have an amazing support team on hand at this year’s event and our coaching team of Dennis Newton, Sam Ward and Ben White will be on hand at each of the trainings and supporting us throughout the event to help us put together the best possible runs. We also have the support of Dave Newton team manager and Tim Ward GB Freestyle committee chairman and assistant team manager who will be helping make sure all the logistics are sorted and that we are all on time to our events. Sally Montgomery team physio will be completing our support team and fixing us all when she arrives on Saturday. And we have a team of judges who will be part of the ICF panel who will be arriving over the next few days. We also have a massive support team back home who have helped us all train and prepare for this event. Special thanks must go to Matt Chadder for organising this year’s team trainings and also Dianne Ward for sorting out the team kit which looks amazing. (photos will follow soon).

New 2011 Peak UK Kit

I have just received some awesome new kit from the team at Peak UK. You will be able to spot the GB Freestyle Peak UK team paddlers Joe Bradley, Jenny Chrimes and Claire O’Hara at this year’s by their funky new GB coloured and custom coloured speed skin top decks and racer pro pfd’s.

Designed by Pete Astles and with artwork by Jenny Chrimes these new super light weight and flexible cag decks as perfect for freestyle.

I tested out my new Speed Skin Top decks and racer pro pfd yesterday on a squirt boating session and it is awesome. It is so comfy and the graphics look amazing. Everyone has been commenting on it and saying how great it looks. I love the cut, shape, colours, design and the fact that it is so light weight. It almost feels like you are not wearing a cag as it is so fluid and does not affect your movement at all, how do I say... it’s unrestrictive???

Team Gb's Islay Crobsie and Claire O'Hara having fun during training

So with team training officially starting in just a few hours I am looking forward to putting together some competition rides and testing out my new freestyle kit.

Claireo

8 days and counting

2011-06-11T00:36:00.000-07:00

I have been out in Plattling Germany at the site of the Worlds training for the last 3 weeks and there is now only 8 days left to the start of the event. and things are beginning to get quite exciting. Competitors from across the World have been arriving and the wave is already super busy with everyone trying to get as much training as possible on the feature before the start of the event. My training is going really well and I have been working on balancing my freestyle and squirt boat training.

The most exciting thing that has happened in the last few weeks is the arrival of theshiny new small carbon rock stars. Last week me and Emily Wall drove to the Chech Republic to pick up the first two small carbon rock stars out of the mould. We had eagerly been awaiting this moment for the last few months and it was a very exciting as we arrived at the Gala sport factory to see our super shiny black carbon boats.

Shiny New Rock Stars at the Gala Sport Factory (photo by Emily Wall)

Recently carbon kayaks have been taking over the top end of freestyle, lighter and stiffer than the plastic boats they have begun to dominate the top level of competition. These new composite boats have allowed paddlers to move around the feature a lot faster and throw moves higher and quicker than ever before.

I was very excited to receive my new boat and quickly set about testing it out on the water. During my warm up I could feel that the boat was super light especially on the flat water when doing cartwheels and loops, but I was surprised to find that initially I didn’t really notice a massive difference on the moving water. I’m not sure what I had been expecting but the transition was pretty easy and the boat felt very similar to the plastic rock star which I have spent the last few months paddling. But when I got off the water and looked at the video I suddenly realised that how much looser it had been on the wave, the speed it had given during rotations and how easily it had pulled through at the end of each move. It had allowed me to move around the feature with very little effort or resistance and perform super fast loops, cartwheels and mcnastys and finish everything so much clearer and with alot less effort than in the plastic. It looked great and everyone commented on how good the rides had looked in it.

Now I have had the boat out on the water for a few days I am really beginning to feel the benefis of the composite and I am super stoked to keep training in it and fully maximising benefits offered by its light weight, stiffness and speed.

Calire O Testing out the New Carbon Rock Star (photo by Emily Wall)

I will be keeping my plastic rock star and if the water drops and the feature gets shallow I may even use it at this event. I love the fact that the transition is so easy and that I have the choice of two boats in two materials both of the same design.

Here is a link to more photos of me and Emily in the new Carbon Jackson Rock Star S.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilywall/5792779907/

Yorkshire Evening Post Sport Sunday Article 11th June 2011

2011-06-11T00:32:00.000-07:00

Leeds kayaking ace harbours double ambition INTERVIEW

Claire O'Hara in action.

By Lee Sobot
Published on Saturday 11 June 2011 05:00

LEEDS kayaking ace Claire O’Hara once again has world domination in her sights – the Yorkshire ace better prepared than ever for a new double mission in Germany.

O’Hara is already British, European and World squirt boat kayaking champion and will attempt to defend the latter title when the World Championships begin in nine days’ time.

However, this year the Meanwood ace is also seeking glory in the freestyle event with preparations so far perfect following three weeks’ training in Plattling, south east Germany.

Not only has O’Hara had ample time to acclimatise but thanks to West Yorkshire’s Volkswagen Van Centre, the 29-year-old now has a new Volkswagen Transporter T5 – custom fitted for life on the road as a kayaker.

Featuring a bed, storage space for her kayaks and equipment plus a comfy living space with refrigerator, it has left the 29-year-old in the best shape possible in search of not just one but two kayaking crowns.

“There is now only nine days left to the start of the event and things are beginning to get quite exciting,” said O’Hara, speaking from Germany this week.

“Competitors from across the world have been arriving over the last few weeks and the wave is already super busy with everyone trying to get as much training as possible on the feature before the start of the event.

“My training is going really well and I have been working on balancing my freestyle and squirt boat training as I am competing in two events. I hope not only to defend my World Championship title but also beat my previous freestyle world ranking and hopefully add to it with a second medal.

“I am really looking forward to the start of the event and being able to put all my training into practice.”

Practice that has been stress free with the added luxury of her new vehicle. Expressing her delight at her new ‘home’, self-funded O’Hara added: “These events are massive for me and without this sponsorship, I’d be really stuck.

“It would be similar to paddling my kayak without any paddles!

“It is once again going to be another very busy competitive year which will involve a lot of travelling across Europe and the UK but luckily I have the fantastic support of the Volkswagen Van Centre.”

It is indeed about to be an extremely busy time for O’Hara who following the 10-day World Championships will return back to Leeds to prepare for her forthcoming assault on the British Championships Series.

All this while working part-time as a sports co-ordinator at Notre Dame Sixth Form College but despite the busy schedule, O’Hara has ambitious plans.

“Last year I won my fifth British Championship title in squirt boating beating not only the women but also all the men and I came second in the freestyle series,” she explained. “This year I have my eyes on both the British freestyle and squirt boating championship titles.

“For the first year ever the winner of the British Championships will also get automatic selection for the 2012 British team for the 2012 European Championships which will be taking place in Vienna next summer so it is even more important for me to stay focused and keep training hard.”

O’Hara added: “It is amazing to be able to be living my dream and competing at the highest level in my sport.

“I have been really lucky to have amazing support from a lot of people. Now I really hope I can pull all this hard work and training together.”

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds_kayaking_ace_harbours_double_ambition_interview_1_3468960

21 days to go .... finally my boat sinks

2011-05-31T13:49:00.000-07:00

Today I had the most awesome squirt boating session.

Whirlpool filled eddyline

Plattling is renowned for its freestyle venue but it is rarely talked about as a squirt boating destination despite it appearing to look like an almost perfect squirt boating competition spot with its calm yet flowing deep eddy and whirlpool filled eddyline. I remember being here last year and hearing stories of the Japanese team paddlers getting epic downtime in the floods. I remember there being talk about fast, deep, long beautiful rides that slammed you around the whirlpool eddyline before eventually spitting you back up for air.

Practising my flat water routine

Excited by the prospect of a powerful mystery spot I set about testing it in low water and found that despite its appearance and potential power the first few feet didn’t have the dynamics to allow a good drop. But there was defiantly something down there, as it had been providing entertainment to a number of boaters through the week who had jumped in for a swim and found themselves on deep long rides that saw them having to swim up gasping for air.

Tom's wallet and its contents drying in the sun after a swim mystery session

A little disheartened I set out again today in the hope that a little more water would allow me to finally tap in and find the charc and I wasn’t disappointed. In not a lot of time I had begun to figure out the spot and had an awesome mystery exploration session cumulating in a 6 second ride.

The ultimate ab workout

The seam surges and you have to be on it with your position and timing. It is a very quick drop entry spot, if you get it right, that takes you deep, fast and then allows one of the smoothest and most controlled rides in which you can change direction of your spin and play as you cruise down the eddyline.

Smooth eddyline will allow some good flatwater routines to be performed that will really showcase the sport at this event

Just this short little session has filled me with a lot of excitement and left me eagerly awaiting more. There is scope to go deeper, to ride for longer and to roam. I look forward to more squirt boaters arriving so we can really explore this 3 dimensionally plattling playground.

Check out this little video from the session ...

22 days left ...

2011-05-29T07:49:00.001-07:00

With only 3 weeks left until the 2011 World Freestyle Championships begin, I cannot believe that two weeks of training have already flown bye.

Checking out the Bavarian Forests from the T5

Training has been going really well out here in Plattling. Everyday there is a different water level and a different set of people, as competitors have started to come from all over the World. So far we have British, Irish, Polish, German, Slovakian, Norwegian, Swiss, Russian, American and New Zealand paddlers training at the wave.

Huge clean air loop at higher water level

The atmosphere is great and everyone is supporting each other as they try and learn how to paddle this quite tricky wave.

Water Gauge shows recent low levels and then the sudden peak

For almost 2 months the water levels out here have been pretty low, meaning that most training has been done on a very tricky, shallow and flushy wave. But this has all just changed. On Thursday after 3 days of 30 degree + heat the heavens opened and we had 2 days of non stop rain. This has brought the ‘real’ plattling wave into play and we now have a fantastic feature that offers longer rides and allows alot more moves to be thrown.

Hitting rocks at a low water level

Mixing it up with a bit of C1 fun at low water levels

I have really enjoyed being out here the last few weeks, despite the low levels, as it has allowed me to get an understanding of the wave, town and life that will around at the Worlds. I look forward to everyone arriving and the competition starting but at the same time I am quite enjoying this relatively quiet, friendly training camp we have going on at the moment and will miss it when the crowds appear.

Jumping in to cool down in the mystery seam at low water. Note the lack of ques and people in the eddy!!!

Check out these great little videos posted by New Zealand paddler Polly Green.

Freestyle Friday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPhumk6H3HM

The girls are killing it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8a6gE4aQA&feature=related

Loving the sun

Enjoy.

Photos and thanks to Laura ' Sooty' Sutcliffe

Only 33 days left ...

2011-05-18T02:26:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that there is only 33 days until the start of the 2011 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships.
Training over the last few months has been going really well as I have been able to find a balance of life, that has allowed me to maximise on my training time helping me develop my strength and skill quite dramatically in a relatively short period of time. This of course has not been done all on my own there has been a team of individuals and organisations who have had a massive part to play in helping me getting to where I am in time for the forthcoming event and once again this year I have been amazingly lucky to have alot of support from my sponsors and friends back home.

Here is a quick breakdown of the many aspects involved in my preparation for the World Championships event...

Fraser and the team at Carnegie Sports Physiotherapy Centre have set me a daily physio conditioning programme that has helped make sure that I am in the best physical condition in the lead up to the event. They have focused on ensuring that I am using the most efficient movements and remaining balanced throughout my training. It is very easy to become imbalanced when training especially in freestyle where you tend to predominantly work just on your stronger side and tend to skip / neglect warm ups, stretching and any gym work!!! Fraser has been moulding me back in to shape every couple of weeks which combined with the daily programme has made a massive difference to my flexibility and all-round strength.

Gio and Mark have been working with me in the Gym and at the GB freestyle team trainings putting together a strength conditioning programme that has helped me develop my fitness and power ready for the big competition.

Photo by Emily Wall

The team at Leeds Met University have been spending hours with me in the pool. Analysising every element of my squirt boating techniques and helping me learn even more of the very difficult moves on the squirt boating score sheet. Watch out for the super clean split wheel later this year :o)

Dennis from Sweetwater Coaching has been spending hours or I should really days and weeks helping me make massive steps forward in my freestyle kayak. Long gone are the days of cartwheels and loops as we have now entered a new generation of ladies freestyle competitions where space godzillas, mcnastys, helixs and tricky wus are the norm. This quick progression to the complex and difficult end of the score sheet is going to make for some high scoring, exciting and challenging competitions ahead.

Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire have sponsored me again with the most amazing van ever. The brand new fully logo’d Volkswagen transported T5 is a kayakers dream vehicle., especially with the Exploria Kombi bed, Indel B Travel Box refrigerator and leisure battery fitted inside (thank you Exploria). It fits 4 boats, a bike and ludicrous amounts of kit and still has loads of space for living in and can comfortably sleep 2 people. It is amazing.

Mitchell Blades have made me a very shiny and funky blue set of paddles for the event and at only 185cm long these blades are perfect for freestyle and look super sweet.

Square rock have provided me with a New Jackson Rock Star S. This great new freestyle kayak has been specifically designed for this event and I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Carbon Rock Star S later this month.

I have a new Sweet Trooper ½ cut helmet thanks to Robin Hood Water Sports for sorting this out for me. This year will be the first time in over 7 years that I will not be wearing a Blue sweet helmet as I change to this new smart Black lid.

Peak UK are currently designing some funky new cag decks for me which I will be getting in time for the big event.

Teva have just sent me the most amazing pair of shoes. These funky purple Gnarkosi's are amazing, did I say that already? These shoes are ace!!!

I have also been amazingly lucky to receive a Leeds Sports Federation grant and support from the Meanwood Village Association and from Angela and Keith Merry which is going to make a massive difference in helping me fund the World Championship event. And a massive amount of support from my employers at Notre Dame 6^th Form College who have been super supportive of my training and competition commitments in allowing me the flexibility and time of to compete.

What with all this new kit and support it has been amazing lead up to the event so far and I am feeling pretty lucky lets hope the good training continues and I can do everyone proud.

As you can see it has been a very busy few months with loads of training, loads of new kit, work and a little live appearance on TV. But now the fun and hard training really begins. I have just completed the 18hour journey from Leeds, UK to Plattling Germany for the second time in a month and have now started training back on the site of the forth coming World Championships. The levels are changing daily and are still quite low making the feature very technically challenging and tiring. But with very little rain forecast and no snow melt left it looks like these could be similar levels to those at the event and therefore this low water training could be time well spent.

Photo by Emily Wall

With only 33.days left and a small matter of a World Championships title that I would like to defend I had better go and hit the water.

Whilst i'm out on the water here is a link to a short video from my last training trip to Plattling a few weeks ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA28l_yCAlE

ClaireO

VW Van Centre West Yorkshire sponsor Claire O’Hara in 2011

2011-03-26T05:37:00.000-07:00

I still can’t believe that it’s true; the team at the Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire have just been in touch to say that they will be sponsoring me for the World Championship and the UK Freestyle British Championship series in 2011.

In 2009 & 2010 I was very fortunate to receive massive support from the VW Van Centre West Yorkshire who helped me safely get to the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships, in Switzerland and the European Freestyle Kayaking Championships, in Austria by sponsoring me with a fully logo’d and customised Volkswagen Transporter T5.

This year not only are they supporting me for the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships event in June but also for the entire British Championships series. They will be providing me with a brand new T5 for the full season from April all the way through to the last competition in November.

The Volkswagen Transporter vans are the ultimate kayaking vehicle providing brilliant driving and handling with loads of space for boats, paddles and kit as well as room for comfortably sleeping. This year the van is going to be even better as custom outfitting specialist Exploria are going to be fitting their new Kombi bed system into the van along with additional electrics and a fridge and once again Austhorpe Signs will be customising the outside of the van with logo and designs so you can all spot me out and about on the road.

Thank you so much to everyone at VW Van Centre West Yorkshire for this massive and very generous support.

I am picking up the van on Wednesday and will more post more photos of the van as soon as I can.

BBC Inside Out 2011

2011-02-12T06:28:00.000-08:00

In the summer I was contact by Jamie Coulson from the BBC about helping him with some filming in the Washburn Valley. Several conversations and four days of filming later they produced this brilliant piece following me through the British Championship Series and showcasing the wonderful world of white water kayaking.

I have just received some great news...

2011-01-30T11:37:00.000-08:00

Robie Robes are going to be helping me out this year and have provided me with some new Robie Robes to use when I am out and about training this year. I have already been using a Robie Robe for a year and find it a great product especially when getting of a river and changing in the outdoors.

Check out www.robierobes.com to find out more about how you can get your own Robie Robe.

Leeds Met University are sponsoring me with access to their swimming pool to train in during the cold winter and spring months as I prepare for the forthcoming World Championships.

CARNEGIE SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC have just signed up to help me in my World Championship bid. The clinic has a team of top class physios that have a vast amount of experience in treating complex and sporting injuries who will be helping me stay fit and healthy as I train and prepare for the forthcoming world Championship Event.

London Boat Show Display Week - written by James 'Pringle' Bebbington

2011-01-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

Late last year Rob Harris asked if I could come and be one of the kayakers to be part of the show team putting on daily displays at the London Boat Show. He said there'd be a wake board tow system with ramps, sliders, lighting, smoke machines & a huge TV screen so of course I jumped at the chance.

The team consisted of myself, Bren Orton, James Benns, Ben Aldred, Stu Parry, Claire O’hara & Ed smith as commentator.

Together with the organisers, lighting & sound team we put on hugely popular daily performances throughout the show that got the biggest cheers and applause out of any of the sports displays.

Our show aimed to show Freestyle Kayaking. Displaying the progression through all the moves on flat water before amping it up using the cable tow system first throwing moves off just bouncing on the flat as you got pulled along, then to spinning over the slider before going up to a straight jump over the kicker, a straight jump to airscrew off the landing then as our grand finale an airscrew off the kicker over 5 kayakers underneath the ramp!!! On the last couple days we even had time for a full on Jam session at the end...plenty of crashes :-)

Other demos at the pool were the kickass Wakeboard shows, Canoe Polo Champs, some SUP races and the opportunity to come and try various watersports including sailing, windsurfing, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking. It was a really great show to be at, so if you missed this one be sure to visit next year for an even greater display.

A really great week and some very positive exposure of Freestyle to an audience that would never normally get to see this kind of action from Kayaking.

A huge thanks to Rob Harris for organising the whole thing and the rest of the team for making it a good week.

Click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8YMxaQbZFE&feature=player_embedded to see a great video by Bren Orton which gives you a taste of what went on at the show.

Words by Pringle photos by Katya

2010

2010-12-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

Freestyle Kayaking Performances at the London Boat Show 12th - 16th Jan 2011

2010-12-23T13:08:00.000-08:00

We're putting on a freestyle kayaking display at the London Boat show between the 12th and 16th of January.

As part of this we needed to test out the cable tow and ramp system we'd be using in the big
indoor pool. For this we were asked to come to a lake in Abersoch NorthWales.

Before we set off we were told it was just a little icy around the edges. We arrived to find it completely frozen, but 3 inches of ice didn't stop a bunch of desperate whitewater deprived kayakers from getting on the water and a little in the air!

Check out this link to awesome little video from the day produced by James 'Pringle' Bebbington

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmJ8bOm1g1M&feature=player_embedded

Come see us at the London Boat Show at the Excel centre from the 12th - 16th January. (words and video by Pringle)

At the show there will be talks by Ed Smith, video by James ' Pringle' Bebbington and daily freestyle kayaking shows featuring James Benns, Stu Parry, Bren Orton, James Weight, James 'Pringle' Bebbington and Claire O'Hara

This is a great event not to be missed.

Book before the 24th December and save £7 on your tickets.

Making them only £11.00, call 0871 230 7140 and quote L89, or use on the promo page, ticket site.

This will also get you free entry to the outdoor show 13-16th do it

See you all in London where we will be going bigger and better and hopefully in less ICE!!!!

Massive thank you to Rob for organising the sesison and to the wakeboarding guys for letting us train despite the ice.

All photos by Rob Harris :o)

Latest News

2010-10-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

A lot has been happening over the last few weeks and Canada now seems like a distant dream as I am quickly settling back into the routine of work and training in the murky green water of the National Water Sports Centre.

Claire O (photo by Dales Meares)

Here is a quick review of what’s been going on over the summer and since I’ve been home...

Claire O’Hara wins
British Squirt Boating Championships 2010

Over the last few weeks the boys at the course have been working hard to improve and develop some of the freestyle features and in doing this they have greatly improved the squirt boating mystery seams. This meant this weekend’s event saw the Championships take place on in old location but with a new character of seam.

Chris Jones coming up for air (photo by Dale Meares)

The newly shaped seam and boily eddy really tested the paddlers, but in no time the boys had figured out the new spot and began to maximise on its power and strength with Chris Jones going super deep hitting several 10 second + mystery rides and Jamie Austin tearing up huge flat water rides in the eddy. In the end it was World Champion James Reeves took the men’s title putting together both the mysteries and flat water to rack up a huge 106 point ride. After the men’s class it was the ladies and I took to the water for my first run. Having just seen Chris taking some massive downtime I was keen to replicate his rides and with a shout of ‘focus on the mystery’ from my Dad I set into the seam and dropped a 7second head under mystery ride followed by a flurry of freestyle manoveres to score a massive 110 points which gave me my fourth British Championship title.

Claire O relaxing after a hard days competition

With over 15 competitors taking place this was one of the biggest British National events for a few years. Well done to Islay, Portia, Seth and Paul for taking part in their first major squirt boating event and to everyone who helped organise and run the day.

The 2010 British Freestyle Championships Series has started...

This year the British Freestyle Championships are being held as a four part series. In which points are awarded to paddlers in order of their place in the heats at each event with each paddler’s top two results / points being ranked on the British Championships league table to decide who takes home the title.

We are already 3 events in with final event planned for the 22^nd November at Hurley weir.

Hurley Weir (photo by Dave Whortly aka Scout)

Here’s a quick recap on what’s happened in the series so far...

I missed out on the first event at the Tryweryn as it clashed with my squirt boating trip to WV but I do know that Emily Wall paddled really well and took 1^st place in the ladies.

The second event took place a Boulters a man made pour over on a London weir, a feature I had never visited before the event. It was a beautiful sunny summer day and a fun little event with a great atmosphere. The moves at this event were very basic due to the nature of the feature and I was very happy to come away with the win.

Boulters Weir (photo by Dale Meares)

Claireo and Kim prepare for their runs at Boulters (photo by Dale Meares)

The 3^rd event was held on the Top Hole at Nottingham this weekend and was a spectacular event. Everyone had been training very hard for this event and as such the standards were immensely high.

Pringle threw down some incredible rides that words really can’t quite describe starting at the hardest end of the score sheet he seemingly effortlessly not only nailed every single move but also linked them together and threw them all aerial and huge. In the ladies I had been really looking forward to this event and had been training very hard for it with Den. Things went really well and I scored one of my all time highest combined score rides. But by failing to score a few of my high risk higher point moves I just missed out on first place piped at the post by Emily Wall who took the top spot with some very consistent, well choreographed and excellently completed runs.

Claire O going big at the 3rd Brit Champs Event (photo by Dale Meares)

This was a fantastic day for British Freestyle as today’s event showed how much the sport has come on and how focused the current British paddlers are in pushing the limits and pushing the development of the sport.

Full results and write ups from the events and more details on the British Series can be found at www.gbfreestylekayak.com

Canada Video

The lads have been busy since returning from Canada making a video of the trip. Please click on the link below to see some footage from the trip. I am paddling the blue, white and red boat.

Apologise in advance for the contents of the first few scenes.

Sunrise at the Ottawa

http://vimeo.com/14525224

The Peak UK Sausage Sizzler

A fun event for all (photo by Pete Astles)

2010 saw the return of freestyle legend event organiser and Peak UK director Pete Astles and his team to the UK freestyle event scene with the launch of the 2010 Peak UK Sausage Sizzler event. This fun freestyle event took place on a beautiful sunny summer days at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham and saw almost 100 paddlers of varying abilities take part in a fun freestyle event followed by a fun evening of festivities including fun yet chaotic game of rounders and volleyball and massive bbq and sausage sizzle. This is definitely an event not too be missed next year.

Claire O going big during the freestyle competition

(photo by Pete Astles)

Meanwood Village Association Talks

In the lead up to the World Championships I received a huge amount of support from the people in my local community in Meanwood, Leeds who raised over £1000 to help pay for my new squirt boat and travel costs to the Worlds. Over the summer I was invited to do a couple of talks to people from the area about my success at the competition and to attend a festival in the local park as the guest of honour. I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone in Meanwood who helped me. Here is a short video which shows our journey. Thank you.

Training with Sweetwater Coaching

Over the last year Dennis Newton has been putting me through my paces, setting me up mentally and physically with all the skills and knowledge to be at the top of my game in time for the forthcoming 2011 World Freestyle Championship selection events. He has been working with me on the water every Wednesday at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham as well as supporting me through the week over email and on the phone.

Claire O training at HPP under the watchful eye of her coach

(photo by Pete Astles)

Den is an extremely qualified and experienced coach. Den is a Level 5 coach and a leading figure in the UKCC / BCU freestyle coach development programme and star award scheme. He has years of experience working with several national freestyle teams and he has coached a number of British athletes to World, European and British titles; including current World Champion David Bainbridge and 2008 European Champion Fiona Jarvie. Over the last 12 months Den was hugely instrumental in helping me win the European Silver medal and helping me to be ready to fight for the British Freestyle title this year, after I had a year out of competitive freestyle last year.

If you are interested in developing your white water paddling or freestyle skills check out the Sweetwater Coaching website for details on coaching for paddlers of all ages and abilities. www.sweetwatercoaching.co.uk

Back in Training

Here is a short video showing some my training from the last few weeks...

2011 World Freestyle Kayaking Team Selection Event

October 23^rd & 24^th October 2011

National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham.

Canada 2010

2010-08-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

Girls only ...

Bumble Bear and the girls

In November we had the idea of a girl’s kayaking trip to Canada. Several months later and its almost worked we have 6 girls and 8 honorary girls, the lads just couldn’t miss out, travelling from the UK to Canada for 14 days paddling on the Ottawa and Lachine rivers.

Early morning session on the Ottawa

We arrived in Canada to find the rivers at their lowest levels in 7 years. But being brits we brought the rain with us and within a few days they had begun to rise and the famous waves began to form.

Baby Face

We have spent most of our time on the Ottawa river, staying at Pioneer Point Guest House only 5 minutes paddle away from Garb, surfing twice some times 3 times a day.

Craig and Gareth check out their line at McCoys

Rob rips it up on Garb

Craig goes big on Baby Face

We also spent 4 days in Montreal surfing the infamous Lachine rapids and Big Joe.

Claire O going big on Big Joe

Craig tearing up Big Joe

Claire H prepares to drop in the Big Joe

Claire O'Hara wins Silver Medal at the European Championships 2010

2010-06-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

What a day!!!
In a close fought final yesterday I won the Silver Medal in the Ladies European Freestyle Kayaking Championships 2010.

Congratulations to my team mates who also competed and won medals in the finals:

James Bebbington Silver (Mens)
James Benns Silver (Junior Mens)

Fiona Jarvie Bronze (Ladies)
Brendon Orton Bronze (Junior Mens)

Stu Parry 4th place (C1)

Sam Anderson 5th place (Mens)

Squirt Boating results...

James Reeves 1st place
Jamie Austen 2nd place
Josh Gosling 3rd place

More details on the event can be found at www.gbfreestylekayak.com

I will post a full update on the days events soon

Awesome day for Team GB in Lienz

2010-06-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

Lienz view from castle

Last night the competitiors and organisers gathered at the Lienz castle for the official opening ceremony of the European Freestyle Kayaking Championships 2010.

Team GB Senior and Junior Ladies (Gabby, Rachel, Nicky, Claire, Flea, Jenny and Sally)

The results are in for the first day of competition at the 2010 European Championships here in Lienz;

Paul King Cartwheeling

The OC1s were first to the water and opened the event in style with Team GB's Paul King battling hard to complete his technical run of cartwheels and splits, just missing out on the finals.

International C1 clan
(inl Paul UK, Orky Ireland, Kev Ireland)

Next up were the junior men and the British lads stole the show with some huge scoring rides, finishing Brendon Orton 1st, James Benns 2nd, Rhyss Roberts 4th and James Weight in 12th.

James Benns Huge Space Godzilla

I was up first in the ladies event. A slow start in my first run meant I had a lot to do in my second run. Again I started off pretty slow but I managed to pull it together in the last 25 secs nailing most of my planned run. It was then a waiting game, I sat and watched and cheered on the rest of my team mates and competitors. The results came out and I had finished 2nd putting me through to the semi finals in a great position. Flea Jarvie also did really well finishing 7th place. Unfortunately Jenny Chrimes and Nicola Beeby just missed out on the semi final cut.

Claire O setting up for the next move

Last up it was the C1s turn. Again the GB lads took to the feature in style and dominated the event with some well planned and executed runs. With all 3 making into the semi finals; Stu Parry 2nd, Adam Ramadam 4th and Lee Pyke in 5th.

Adam Ramdan throws down a massive loop

All in all an awesome day on the water for Team GB. Massive thanks have to go to the team coaches Sam Ward and Ross Montandon for their hard work and support all day.

Team GB 2010

Up tomorrow are the Junior Ladies and the Senior Men, fingers crossed that the good luck continues and we have even more British paddlers through to the next round.

European Championships 2010 Training

2010-06-13T14:05:00.001-07:00

With less than a week left before the Europeans training is in full swing out here in Austria. Over the last few week competitors have steadily been arriving in the town of Lienz to train. I arrived on Saturday with team mates Nicky Beeby, Gabby Bates and Adam Ramadan to begin training.

The features is a calm and tranquil looking but feisty and very tricky hole on the River Drove situated just upstream of the centre of town. It is set in a beautiful valley amid an array of snow capped mountains. The river is glacial and freezing cold but the weather is gorgeous and the setting and scenery unreal. We are staying 2 mins drive away from the feature at Camping Falken where we have set up base camp alongside the Irish. The van is proving a fantastic hub for the GB team at the wave and at the campsite providing a focal point for the British team.

We have been on the water three sessions a day for the last week trying to adapt and learn how to make the most of this very testing feature. Most hole moves go but scoring them is proving very hard (difficult to complete moves precisely to the description in the rules).

Yesterday the organisers released the competition running order, with over 170 competitors from 21 countries it looks like it is going to be a pretty impressive event. Official team training starts on Monday. I will be competing in the ladies freestyle heats on Wednesday, with the semi’s on Friday and the finals on Saturday. The squirt boating event will be running on Saturday, the venue is still to be confirmed.

I will keep you updated on all the news over the next week

Platting Freestyle Kayaking World Cup 2010... Cancelled due to rain!!!

2010-06-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Arriving back from the USA on Monday morning I picked up a brand new VW T5 fully logo’d and kitted out from the VW Van Centre West Yorkshire and set off to Europe for the World Cup and European Championships 2010. Loaded up for the full four weeks with a whole array of boating, camping and training kit we drove through night stopping in France to sleep in luxury and comfort in the van.

First stop for us was the World Cup event in Plattling, Germany. This year World Cup Series comprised of two events. Training in America meant that I missed the first event in Augsburg, Germany so we went straight to Plattling to join the mass of international paddlers for the second stage of the series.

Plattling is an awesome play spot situated on a river wide weir that creates a perfect hole at most levels. It has been the venue for a number of international events and in the summer of 2011 it will be host to the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships. Our plan was to compete in the World Cup event and at the same time suss out the venue and feature for the next year World Championship event.

Last week Germany had some of its heaviest rain in recent years. The rain had caused almost all of the rivers to go into flood conditions with some bursting their banks and causing chaos in a number of villages and towns. The rain brought amazing white water kayaking runs and some of Europe’s top play boating waves into play. Kayakers across Germany were loving this rare water opportunity, except for the World’s top 100+ competitive freestyle paddlers who were sat in a cafe in Plattling waiting for the river to drop so they could begin to train!'

We arrived late on Wednesday to a very grey and wet town. The river was high and the feature had turned from a hole to wave. We jumped on for a quick paddle and caught up with the rest of the British team. We found out the water we had just waded out through had, only a few days before, been the campsite and were shown the platform a foot or two underwater where the judges tent was supposed to have been.

It had been raining non-stop since Monday and most of the paddlers, who had travelled from as far away as Japan, Canada and the USA to compete had abandoned their tents and moved into hotels in the town to escape the rain. We paddled for a few hours enjoying the unexpected wave before setting up camp, at the new campsite a crowed muddy field set between the main road and the flood barrier banking, and heading into town for food.
The word was the rain would soon stop and the river would drop so we could begin to train.

We woke up Thursday morning to the sound of rain still banging on the roof of the van. The river was higher now, it was well up in the trees. The wave was no longer there, instead a raging torrent of water passed by us at rocket speed. The event schedule was revised and start dates changed. The event organisers stayed hopefully but as the rain continued the plan to start the competition the next morning became more of an unlikely dream. We all sat waiting watching the rain. Friday morning came and the river was higher still. Eventually at 7pm Friday evening the discission was made. The Plattling World Cup was to be cancelled.

This was disappointing but not that suprising news. We packed up and headed over to Augsberg for a quick paddle, whilst others hit the big flood waves. In Plattling the end of event party and prize giving event crowned Team GB’s James ‘Pringle’ Bebbington (Augsberg event winner) as the World Cup Winner 2010.

Latest News...

2010-05-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

This year I am once again competing in both freestyle kayaking and squirt boating having one places on both teams at the British team selections in October.

Whats been happening since the Worlds?

Training from September to February was focused on fitness. I spent alot of time in the gym, at the Village Hotel and Leisure Centre, building up my cardio endurance and all round strength. I also spent alot of time at Leeds Met university swimming in their pool and out and about running around Leeds.

With the snow all across the country and temperatures pretty cold I opted for a few months off the water. This rest allowed my body and mind to unwind after the Worlds.

Since March I have been back out on the water where I have been engaged in the first phase of training for the 2011 World Championships.

Sweet water Coaching

This year I have been amazingly lucky to have the support of Sweetwater Coaching.

Dennis Newton is one of the top freestyle coaches in the World and has been putting
me through my paces. Dennis has put together a structured long term development plan to help me mentally and physical reach my peak in time for the 2011 Worlds.

The Difference that Dennis coaching and approach has made to my freestyle paddling in unbelievable. I am already well on my way to learning some of the harder, higher scoring freestyle moves.

The next 6 weeks

With my freestyle training well underway it is now time to focus some attention back into squirt boating. On Monday volcanic ash allowing I will be travelling out to the USA with Tom ‘Mav’ Bailey and Team GB’s Chris Jones to train once again at the home of squirt boating in West Virginia.

During our 2 weeks stateside we are planning to try and hit all the West Virginia squirt spots; fascination alley, halls of karma, mellow ledge... and attend the 2010 Bubbler Gathering of Friends event.

Following on from West Virginia I will be heading back to the UK to pick up a brand new VW T5 from the VW Van Centre West Yorkshire and then I’ll be driving straight out to Europe. Where I will be competing in freestyle kayak and squirt boat kayak at the World Cup event in Platting, Germany, 3rd – 6th June, and then the European Championships in Lienz, Austria, 16th – 19th June. After the European Championships I will be spending a few days relaxing and paddling on the Soca river in Slovinia before returning back to the UK.

Please keep checking back for all the news over the 6 weeks.

2010-05-16T14:59:00.003-07:00

‘To fly on Monday or not to fly on Monday! That is the question!’

2010-05-16T14:59:00.001-07:00

New 2010 Jackson Star

2010-05-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

I have just received delivery of my brand new GB team coloured Linear 2010 Jackson Star.

Over the last few months I have been testing out the 2010 star series. The stars have always been unbelievably well designed freestyle kayaks. Their simple but well thought out designs have been shaped to allow paddlers to learn easily and quickly.

The boats are unique in that they are forgiving, allowing paddlers to develop without constantly being punished for every little mistake, yet explosive, allowing the moves to be performed with dynamic power and character that make them really stand out.

The 2009 star has always been perfect for learning moves as it is exceptionally well balanced from end to end. The 2010 star however is quite different it ‘s shorter design makes it less balanced end to end , cartwheeling is a little harder and requires an adaptive technique, but it is faster on a wave and goes absolutely huge on air moves in holes.

This boat just fly’s!

The 2010 range comes in two different specs. The cross link boat is made of stronger, lighter plastic and comes with the sweet cheek and happy feet system. The linear boat is slightly heavier as it comes with a fixed hull stiffener seat, foam footrests and a foam seat pad.

Thanks to Aaron and square rock for sorting me out with the new boats.

VW Van Centre West Yorkshire sponsor Claire O’Hara in 2010

2010-05-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

I still can’t believe that it’s true; the team at VW Van Centre West Yorkshire have just been in touch to say that they will be sponsoring me for the World Cup and European Championships in June 2010.

In 2009 I was very fortunate to receive massive support from the VW Vane Centre West Yorkshire who helped me safely get to the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships in Switzerland by sponsoring me with a fully logo’d and customised VW Transporter.

This year they are once again supporting me providing me once again with brand new fully logo’d and customised VW T5. Thank you so much to everyone at VW Van Centre West Yorkshire.

Thank You

Photos of the van will be updated on the 1st June. :o)
(Stickers and logos by Austhorpe signs, Leeds)

Aire Wave

2009-11-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

After weeks of heavy rain we have eagerly been awaiting the arrival of the 'Aire Wave'.

Situated in Leeds this wave only works for a few hours following flood conditions as the river drops. For the last 3 weeks we have been checking it out waiting for the perfect levels to come in.

On Thursday we finally caught it at the right level and had the pleasure of surfing this fantastic British wave.

I have put together a short video (we spent most of the session paddling instead of filming as it works for such a short period of time so don't have much footage) from our session at the wave. I hope you enjoy it.

British Champion 2009

2009-11-17T14:59:00.000-08:00

So it already been a few months since the Worlds and it has been straight back into training at the National Water sports Centre in Nottingham for the British Championships 2009.

With the rain pouring and the wind blowing it was a typical British event.

The best of the British freestyle competition paddlers came together to compete to be National Champion. Fresh from the World Championships it was no surprise that I won the Ladies squirt boating event and Dave Bainbridge and James Reeves won their events.

And in the freestyle event, my first event of the year and only my fifth time back in the boat since February, I was extremely pleased to finish in 3rd place and secure some all important British Team 2010 selection points.

CK Women

2009-11-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

Claire O’Hara World Champion Ladies Squirt Boating
World Freestyle Kayaking Championships 2009

Member of Team GB Freestyle Squad and newly crowned Ladies Squirt Boating World Champion Claire O'Hara shares her experiences of reaching the very pinnacle of her chosen branch of the sport, what it takes to get there and what it means to her.

It isn’t very often that we get to do the sport that we love at the top level and to reach the goals we set out to achieve. But I have recently been fortunate to do just that.

I have just returned from the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships where I competed in the ICF Ladies Squirt Boating Event and where I won the Gold medal and the World Championship title.

I have been training for this event for the last two years, since finishing second in the last World Championships in Canada in 2007 where I came agonisingly close to winning the gold. I remember being so happy about winning the silver but having that small feeling of disappointment at having been so close to gold. It was at this moment that I knew that this was to be my goal: I would give my all to train to be the best I could be and to reach my peak in time to fight for the World Championship title this year.

So, two years and countless hours of paddling and gruelling gym sessions later I found myself out in Switzerland. 250 athletes from 32 countries descended on the small town of Thun set in the heart of beautiful Switzerland to compete to become World Champions. Stands were built, meetings were held and the judges and spectators arrived as we drew closer to the competition start.

The squirt boating event was scheduled to be the first event of the championships and was set below a quaint Swiss weir amid a collection of bars and bridges, below the old town and castle in the centre of town. It was the perfect venue for a world event. The river was bright blue in the sun, with a nice size eddy for the flat water routines and a complex eddy line that changed daily offering itself as a testing mystery site for the world’s top competition squirt paddlers.

I arrived a week before the opening ceremony to train at the venue and spent hours trying to master the mystery site and choreograph a freestyle routine that would allow me to maximise my points in the allotted time (one minute runs). I planned my runs to utilise the river’s natural flow and features, to gain style points and bonuses and to finish in the perfect position to go for the mystery move (where the paddler uses the river hydraulics to get the boat to go under the river surface and travel as deep and as far as possible) hopefully allowing me to get a winning ride score.

For the first seven days I was the only British squirt boater out there, so I spent a lot of time paddling alone with my coaches, studying the venue and chatting to other squirt boaters from across the world. Within a few days it quickly became apparent that the standard at this year’s event was going to be exceptionally high and the competition close. I knew I needed to stay focused on the goal in hand but wanted to ensure that I also enjoyed the experience. It is psychologically demanding to compete at the top level and one of the things I have found most challenging over the years is to not get to engrossed in what my competitors are doing and instead to stay focused on what I can control. I try not to be influenced by what others are doing but instead going out there and doing my best, remembering what it is that I need to do to be at my best and sticking to it. For me, this meant staying off the water and resting for at least 3 days before the competition. For my team mate and new C1 World Champion Dave Bainbridge, this was going for a 50 mile bike ride each day in the lead up to the competition; and to others it means very different things. Understanding what it is you need and sticking to it is vital in being able to perform at your best.

So by the day of the competition I desperately wanted to get on the water and get ready for the competition. With the help of my coaches, personal trainer and many supporters I was mentally and physically prepared for the competition ahead. The crowds of British supporters lined the riverbank; my fellow athletes were all kitted up ready and prepared to go. I had my boat, my blades my bib. My number called, my coach by my side, the judges’ thumbs up, this is it. I was off ...

I qualified in 1st place over 100 points clear of 2nd place. I slept, excited, nervous.; I couldn’t wait for the final. Back on the water, we go in reverse order, and I’m up last. Everyone else paddles amazingly well. I go, I’m in the lead; my teammate Emma takes 2nd place, Vallerie Bertrand from Norway and Motoko from Japan battle to try and beat us both. Results are in: I’ve won. I can’t believe it. I’ve won! Everyone cheers, its incredible. Emma’s 2nd, Valerie’s 3rd. We are on the podium, the anthem plays. The World Freestyle Squirt Boat Kayaking Championships finish. It’s all over. I won?

And now I’m home. How do I feel? I’m not really sure. I am caught in a whirlwind from the success, running from one place to the next. So many things to do and places to go, people to thank and letters to write. I find myself not having a chance to even stop and think. I am elated, totally stoked to have made it to the World’s Finals, let alone to have won. In some ways, I still can’t believe it; I don’t even think that it has sunk in yet.
Is it really true, or was it all a dream? Have I really reached my goal? Am I world champion? Yes, I guess the gold medal in front of me and the photos say I have... Wow!
Is there a word to describe it all? Maybe ‘Epic’ will do.

What is it that makes a champion? It is a person with a passion for which they have focus, drive and determination to be the best and to succeed, supported by a network of positive enthusiastic people encouraging them to reach their goal.

I personally would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who played a part in helping me along my way, from those who introduced me to my first kayak and the sport over 15 years ago all the way through to everyone involved in supporting.

Thank you.

BBC Look North

2009-10-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have had alot of support in my journey to the World Championships from alot of people including the BBC's Look North team who have followed my story from 2007-2009.

Filming on the morning as we left the UK and in the studio on my return find out all about my World Championship story.

World Champion 2009

2009-09-11T02:24:00.001-07:00

What a fantastic finale to a fantastic few years.

Celebrating with my teammate and silver medalist Emma Runsimmon and former World Champion and bronze medalist Valerie Bertrand.

Thanks to the guys and VW Van Centre West Yorkshire for helping me get there safely and in comfort in a brand new VW T5. The perfect kayaking vehicle it was amazing.

Celebrating with my mum and dad who have always been there supporting me on and off the water.

With my mum, Laura and Carol Team GB's top fans.

Street Dancers help introduce the event

Showing some exceptional skills

Team GB Junior British Champion Gabby Bates takes to the skys on the big air ramp

World Champion 2009

2009-09-05T01:52:00.001-07:00

What a day

Today all the training and preperation came together as I won the World Freestyle Squirt Boating Championships in Thun, Switzerland.

It still has not sunk in.

In the heart of switzerland amid the mountains, lakes and blue skies I competed in the finals of the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships and won the Ladies Squirt Boating World Champion Title. AMAZING....

Over 3 years of hard training came together today as I performed my final 3 runs. Depsite the early start the supporters came out and lined the banks and cheered on all the squirt boaters this morning as we competed in the world finals. Putting together the routine that I had been perfecting over the last few months seemed to go remarkably well. The flat water conditions were good and the mystery spot tricky which helped as I put my all into the competition knowing that this was my last chance and it worked. Everything came together as planned as I scored consistently strong rides.

All the hard work payingoff as I achieved my goal and dream becoming the 2009 World Champion in my sport.

Congratulations to my team mate Emma Runsimmon who paddled extremly well and won the Silver.

In the mens three brits made the finals with Chris and Pete finishing in 4th and 5th and James Reeves winning the Gold.

I made the finals

2009-09-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Just a really quick one to let you know i qualified for the finals today in first place. Finals are tomorrow morning at 10am so I've got to go sleep and prepare.

I'm really excited and can't wait

We're on our way...

2009-08-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

We set of from the UK on Thursday in our fantastic new VW transporter T5 to compete in the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships in Thun Switzerland 2009. With news that the wave isn’t going to be ready until Tuesday we stopped at a few waves along the way. We surfed at the Rhienfeld Wave in Germany and at then at the main wave in Bremgarten, Switzerland. The weather has been gorgeous and we have been getting in some epic freestyle wave sessions. I am travelling with team mates Dave Bainbridge and Islay Crosby and we have been making the most of the time on these top quality waves, in warm up for the worlds.

Having a fantastic time on the wave at Bremgarten

Surfers and kayakers together making the most of the river palyground

Dave B going huge

Chilling in the middle of the river, mentally preparing for the challenge ahead.

We arrived at Thun on Sunday afternoon where we were greeted by sunshine and happy smiling boaters from across the world.

We set up camp at nearby Gwatt at a lovely campsite where we pitched tarps, tents and funky VW vans. The campsite is the perfect location to be chilling and training for the World Championships with blue skies, blue clear warm(ish) water in the lake and snow capped mountains surrounding the campsite. It is also only a 45 min walk, 20 min cycle or 10 min bus ride to the main competition site in Thun.

We have been in Thun now for two days and in this time I have spent a lot of time in the lake training and swimming, and biking and taking in the sights. Today we registered and picked up our competition bibs in the morning and I spent the afternoon, in gorgeous hot sunshine, on the water preparing for the competition. However about an hour and a half ago the weather broke and we have just had an hours nonstop torrential downpour.

Competition wise the wave has not been formed yet and the squirt boating venue is still to be confirmed, however logistics for the event seem to be well underway. The plan is for all decisions and alterations to the river to be made by tomorrow afternoon with the official team training programmed to start Thursday morning.

VW Van Centre West Yorkshire provide T5 to take to the Worlds

2009-08-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I received a phone call from Andrew Caygill, Managing Director at the VW Van centre, West Yorkshire, who made me the fantastic offer of the loan of, a personalised and logo’d, VW Transporter T5 Van to take out to the worlds! With my T4 on its last legs the prospect of having to drive the 2,000 mile trip was previously looking quite daunting. However, now thanks to the help of VW Van Centre West Yorkshire, we are setting off with a fantastic set off wheels.

The van has been kitted out with a bed inside for the trip and with it now fully loaded we are on our way. Massive thank you to the guys at the VW Van Centre for helping us in such a huge way.

Appletini

2009-07-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last two weekends at 'Appletini' a sweet new squirt spot in Yorkshire. Situated at Appletreewick on the River Wharfe this is spot offers soft smooth rides on a righty seem half way down the falls and goes in super low and normal low levels.

It is a great spot for learning how to mystery move as it smooth style allows you to experienment and learn how a seam works.

New: Downtime Asylum

2009-07-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

I have just received my new 'Worlds' Asylum boat from Downtime Dave and its awesome.

Super small and very shiny I am looking forward to spending alot of time in it over the next few weeks as I train for the Worlds.

Next time you see me on the water check out the funky flip paint and see it change from purple to silver to red to blue and gold as the sun reflects of it in the water.

Cheers Dave

Meanwood Village Association and the Meanwood Institute come to the rescue

2009-07-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months I have been actively seeking support to help me fund my training and competition costs in the lead up to the World Championships.

During this time I was very fortunate to speak to and meet Councilor Brenda Lancaster from Meanwood, Leeds who put me in touch with Meanwood legend and fundrasing specialists Peter and Christine Bewell. Within just a few weeks Peter and Christine had set about helping me raise the funds for a new boat for the Worlds.

I would like to thank them for all their help. So far they have already raised £400 in donations from the Meanwood Village Association and the Meanwood Institute and on the 13th August they will be hosting a coffee morning at the Meanwood Institute.

Come along and join us at the Meanwood Institute on Green Road for a coffee morning and tombola

Thursday 13th August 10am until noon.

Thanks James

2009-07-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

I have recently received a generous offer of financial support from James to help me with my training in the lead up to the Worlds and would like to say 'Thank You'

Got Charc? Got Soul?

2009-05-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Magic Apple Pikey Tours 2009 presents...

Squirt Boating, West Virginia Style

What can I say really other than,

‘If you are a squirt boater you have got to go to West Virginia it’s amazing!’

In January on a cold, snowy day in the Lake District Tom Bailey aka ‘Maverick’ suggested the idea of a trip to West Virginia in the USA. I had heard a lot about West Virginia from friends who had been there previously. It had been described as one of the world’s best squirt boating venues and it was home to Squirt Boating Legend, founder and developer Jim Snyder. I had to go.

Five months later and we were on our way. As with all big adventures with Mav things didn’t go quite as simply as planned. Arriving early at Gatwick we received the usually funny looks at the check in desks as they questioned our odd looking luggage and started to look into company policies and procedures on flying boats. Explaining that we had pre booked them onto the flight we were met with some worrying news. The good news was that they were booked on and we would have to pay $100 each way, but the bad news was that the 2nd plane we were booked to travel on was too small to carry them, so they could not go all the way with us. A problem not noticed by the booking company. Things weren’t looking good we hadn’t even made it onto the plane (a common problem on Mavs’ travelling adventures, ask him about passport expiry dates next time you see him :o)). Luckily though, the ladies at the desk worked wonders finding us another nearby (ish) airport with bigger planes that could take us and the boats all the way. Brilliant apart from of course our car hire was at the original airport 2 states away. The car hire offices were closed and the ladies ensured us changing the pickup point would be easy and no problems at all. Problem sorted we were once again on our way.

But the car hire did cause us problems. Realising that without their help we would be stranded at the airport the car hire company has us tied and wanted an extra $1400 to change the pickup points!!! Exhausted and frustrated we returned to the airline desks this time at Pittsburgh USA to try and sort out the problem. Once again we were in luck and they arranged to Fed Ex our boats to WV and fly us and our luggage on two extra puddle jumping planes to our original airport destination to pick up the hire car and start our journey.

Eventually 33 hours and 4 planes after we had set off we arrived at our destination the Cheat River West Virginia. We were boat less for the moment but fortunately it fitted with our plans as we were meeting Squirt Boating Godfather and paddling legend Jim Snyder to do an overnight trip and he had already planned on supplying the boats some funky touring carbon ‘ Cheaters’.

Monday morning bright and early we met Jim and his Cheaters and embarked on our first paddling adventure a 24 mile, 2 day trip on the River Cheat. It was a fantastic experience to paddle this stretch of the beautiful cheat river, deep in the American wilderness. Jimi found us a fantastic camping spot on the side of the river and we spent the night listening to boating stories and tales of adventure from Jim under the stars tarp. Next day it was back on the river and then onto the road South, in search of ‘Mystery Place’ and full time climbing and squirt boating ambassador Steve O’Keefe.

Steve has been retired for the last 5 years and in that time has built himself a wonderful cabin set between the New River Gorge and the Gauley River. It is a squirt boating Mecca and we were fortunate to be welcomed by Steve into his home and life and taken by him on a two week West Virginia Squirt Boating, ‘magic apple tour’. Steve O’s magic apple tour took us to some of the country’s top squirt boating locations including Last Chance, Trash Compactor (Junk Yard), Bubbler 1 & 2, The Squeeze, Millers Folly aka Mellow Ledge and Fascination Alley. Not only did we get all these spots at their optimum levels we also had chance to paddle Canyon Doors Wave and the New River Dries.

Over the course of the trip and with a massive amount of help and direction from Jimi and Steve I finally began to master the incredibly complex art of mystery moves. For the first time ever I got to explore the depths of the rivers and experience the joys of underwater squirt boating travel to the full.

Going Deep = E E = MC ²

In the middle of the trip we attended the New River Squirt Gathering of Friends at the Bubbler for the ‘Bubbler Competition 2009’ where I had chance to put these new found skills to the test. Mav and I both came top internationals :o) and one an original bubbler completion mug but could not quite match the mystery or drinking skills of the locals who took home the top prizes, Hangovers!!!

Thanks to Ricky for organising and inviting us along to this fantastic event and to everyone else who made us feel so welcome.

The final part of our trip took us to Fascination Alley. Fascination Alley has to be one of the most amazing places I have ever paddled. There is something magical about this spot. I think part of it had to do with the company and the weather at 85°C+ but there is something else as well. There is something about the location with its smooth seam, feisty looking but forgiving eddy line, clear warm water and beautiful gorge that makes the place magical and makes you not want to leave. In just 3 days we had paddled at fascination alley for over 12 hours. Fascination Alley, with its guardian watching over us from the rocks and the magic apple on the side, was the perfect end to an absolutely fantastic trip.

Thank you to everyone who shared in our WV tour and made it so special. We hope to see and paddle with you all again soon.

An extra special thanks to Steve O’Keefe, Jim Snyder, Julie, Randy and Ricky I think you all know why...

Thank You.

To see some more video footage from our trip edited by Mav check out the folowing links

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGUF9wZgmCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmq5fxL5Zxk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAM19_KR91w

Le Chasseraq

2009-05-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a fantastic trip with the GB Squirt Boating team to the Chesseraq Gorge in France.

Situated in South France in the Ardeche region the Chesseraq is a beautiful river that is home to one of europes top squirt boating seams.

During the trip we were joined by local paddlers Jose, Pierre Villcourt and Paul Villecourt.

Once again we had a fantastic trip exploring the depths of the french rivers. Here are a few photos that sum up the trip.

Down, down, deeper, down, down

2009-04-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

Down, down, deeper, down, down

Photos and writing as posted on www.canoekayak.co.uk by Jason Smith (Editor Canoe and Kayak Magazine)

As the sun settled at the end of a day checking out the new features at the whitewater course at Nottingham a group of squirtists gathered at what used to be the cheese block pool. When the changes to the course were announced it looked like the one group of users that would miss out would be squirt boaters... But all is not lost for us sinkers. There are lots of spots that look like they have potential and the old cheese block pool now has serious downtime potential. Paul 'Cheesey' Robertson started to slot in to the seam and then Claire O'Hara nailed od deep one, but both paled against a monster mystery by Downtime Squirt Boat supremo Dave Savage. He plugged one and went deep, through the green room and all the way to the dark place. Although he was grinning when he finally came up he did admit that it was the first time he'd really been scared in about a year! Summer squirt festival at the ditch maybe? Go to www.downtimekayaks.com for more on the dark art of squirting.

Great British Freestyle and Squirt Boating Team Selection 2009

2009-03-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

What a week!!!

This weekend the GB Freestyle Team 2009 Selection Event took place at Hurley Weir on the the River Thames. The event was held to select a team to represent Great Britain at the Freestyle World Championships in Switzerland in September

Having being told mid summer last year to focus on one discipline and not my usual two, I had spent most of the winter in the gym and the pool working on developing my fitness levels and squirt boating skills ready for the Great British Squirt Boating Team selections 2009.

Squirt boating was up first on Saturday morning. With 15 competitors entered, high winds and strong currents made the competition tough and competitors really had to battle hard in an effort to try and win a place on the team.

After an hour of harsh competition the team was decided.

The ladies squirt boating team for the 2009 World Championships is Claire O'Hara, Emma Runsimmon and Sara James and the men's team is James Reeves, Pete Cornes and Chris Jones.

Ben White the current World Champion will also be representing Great Britain in Switzerland in September at the Worlds when he goes to defend his title.

Following the squirt boating competition the focus moved to the main weir pool where the freestyle competiton took place on the infamous Hurley Wave. Again the competition standard was very high and the athletes put on a great display showing high quality, skillful freestyle performances.

Congratulations to the following athletes who made the British Team and good luck at the Worlds.

GB Freestyle Kayaking Team 2009

K1 Men The kayak men's team

* Alan Ward (team)
* Doug Cooper (team)
* Jon Best (team)
* Richard Chrimes (team)
* Sam Anderson (team)
* Chris Bucksey (reserve)
* Jeff Grainger (squad)
* Mark Childerhouse (squad)

K1 Ladies The kayak ladies team

* Emily Wall (team)
* Fiona Jarvie (team)
* Lowri Davies (team)
* Flic Meares (reserve)
* Claire O'Hara (squad)
* Nicola Beeby (squad)

K1 Junior Men's The junior kayak men's team

* Arron Layton (team)
* Ben West (team)
* Stuart Parry (team)
* Joe Bradley (reserve)
* Adam Cox (squad)
* Brandon Hepburn (squad)
* James Benns (squad)

K1 Junior Ladies The junior ladies kayak team

* Islay Crosby (team)
* Poppy Layton (team)
* Gabby Bates (reserve)
* Millie Leith (squad)

C1 Unisex The closed canoe mixed team

* David Bainbridge (team)
* Lee Pyke (team)
* Stuart Parry (team)
* David Florence (reserve)
* Richard Longley (reserve)
* Lee Royle (squad)

OC1 Unisex The open canoe mixed team

* James Bradley (team)
* Paul King (team)

Squirt Men The men's squirt team

* Chris Jones (team)
* James Reeves (team)
* Pete Cornes (team)
* Arron Layton (reserve)
* Adam Dumolo (squad)
* Luke Farrington (squad)

Squirt Ladies The ladies squirt team

* Claire O'Hara (team)
* Emma Runciman (team)
* Sara James (team)
* Millie Leith (reserve)

Oh yeah I forgot to mention... I couldn't resist having a go at Freestyle again too. So I will also still be on the GB Freestyle Team in 2009 but this time as a squad member. :o)

British Freestyle Kayak Display Team at the NEC Outdoors Show 2009

2009-03-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

2009 sees the return of the GB Freestyle Kayak Display Team to the NEC Indoor Pool.

Freestyle kayaking is a unique form of kayaking in which athletes perform spectacular gymnastic style moves usually whilst surfing large waves or paddling down challenging white water rapids.

For this event the athletes will be bringing the art of freestyle to the NEC pool where they will be demonstrating a mix of the most complex moves. The team will be performing displays each day and will take you on a journey, showing the development of freestyle. The team will help break down the moves to show you the fundamental stages involved from the Eskimo roll through to Mcnasty, Phonix Monkey and Tricky Woo. This is a show not to be missed it is a high quality display of skill and strength by some of the Worlds top kayaking athletes.

The display team will include Freestyle’s 3 times British Champion and European Champion David Bainbridge, Squirt Boating’s British Champion, European Champion and World Silver Medallists Claire O’Hara. Squirt Boating’s British Champion, European Champion and World No 4 James Reeves and Junior UK Freestyle Series winner and flat water freestyle extraordinaire Stuart Parry.

The GB Freestyle Kayak Team are currently training for the forthcoming World Freestyle Kayaking Championships which will be held in Switzerland in September 2009.

If you are interested in finding out more about the athletes and the team or if you fancy getting involved in kayaking yourself check out the following websites…

www.claireohara.co.uk ClaireO’Hara
www.jamesreeves.net James Reeves
www.ukfreestyle.com GB Freestyle Team
www.bcu.org.uk The British Canoe Union

Squirt Boat Training at Leeds Met University

2009-03-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

The wonderful world of squirt boating is a place rarely visited by most. It is a fascinating world in which pain seeking boaters squeeze themselves into handcraft glitter coated crafts, designed specifically ‘not’ to float. These sinking boats offer their riders the opportunity to experience a new dimension of life through exploration of water in its simplest form.

These special people of which there are only a few have a soul and understanding that allows them to be at one with the water. They skilfully paddle as one with the boat, performing complex manoeuvres, stylishly and effortlessly above and below the water surface.

They travel the world searching and striving for the ultimate ride. They seek out the perfect charcs (circular flows of the river water) that allow them smooth unhindered travel into the depths of the water. They do it solely for the enjoyment; they do it because it is fun.

I am one of these few people. I am a squirt boater. I am searching for the ultimate ride...

Over the last few months I have been trying to master the above water element of this complex sport. I have been working hard with a team of video analysts in the swimming pool trying to work out the fine bio mechanical processes involved in each of the squirt boating freestyle (above the water) manoeuvres. Over the next few months I will be travelling across the World to try to master the next step, the underwater travel. The mystery...

This short video will hopefully give you a small insight into the strange yet wonderful squirt boating world.

Thanks to Leeds Met University for their help in supporting my pool based training this year.

Five a Day!!!

2009-03-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

When I first went to see the Nutritional Support Team at Leeds Met University in October last year and they told me I had to eat breakfast and have at least five a day I thought ‘great, sounds good’. I’m a boater, of course I could see no problems at all in consuming a McDonalds breakfast or a full English followed by the full five C’s a day of coke, chocolate, crisps, chips and a curry. In fact it should be positvely enjoyable and would be easy.

...But no this diet plan of a boater was not the diet plan of an athlete that they had in mind. They were proposing big changes, huge changes. They were talking about, dare I say it... apples, oranges, lettuce, tomatoes; they were talking about Fruit and Veg! And for breakfast they were not suggesting bacon and egg mc’muffins washed down with lashing of coffee and fizzy drinks, but they were talking about cereals! They were not even talking about nice sugar coated fun cereals like coco pops and frostie’s that I could maybe consider working towards coping with first thing in the morning. They were talking healthy cereals, cereals that have a closer resemblance to a cut up cardboard box than an enjoyable morning snack.

Surely they weren’t being serious. Surely they didn’t really mean it! Did they not understand the level of difficulty in what they were asking.

‘and have a piece of fruit and a glass of juice fresh fruit juice with it’

... what were they suggesting, surley not... nooooooooooooooo!

Ok major panic over maybe I could do this maybe I could cut out the fast food, and quick fix junk and snacks that had kept me going all my life in particularly on the road over the last few years. Maybe this could work. Maybe it could help sort out my ever fluctuating energy levels which I had put down to an undetected dose of billharzier. Maybe my energy levels could have some small tiny little link to the fact that I had been living off a high sugar, high E number junk food diet. Maybe just maybe this new diet could help. Maybe it could be worth trying...

But then when it looked like it was all going to be reasonably ok they hit me with the crunch. They spoke the words that few would dare, they told me...

‘You need to cut down the coke!!!’

Stunned, silent! Surely I had misheard them...

‘cut down the coke?’

‘Yes’

‘Oh!’

Coke you might ask aren’t you an athlete! Surely you don’t have such a thing!
We’ll the truth is I did and it was a very hard moment as I had to admit to myself there and then, in my first meeting that I had a problem. That I was an addict. That I was addicted to coke!!!

After 12 years of paddling in the UK. After many hours spent in urban white water environments on rivers such as the Aire, the Trent and the Thames I was addicted. I was addicted to the black tar like substance in the red can that called itself coke-cola.

5 months later and I am now clean. I haven’t touched a can of coke-cola since October and with the continued help and support of the fantastic Sports Nutrition Team, at the Leeds Metropolitan University Carnegie Centre of Sports Performance and Well Being, I am now well on the way to leading a much healthier life. The team have worked hard to create a diet plan that fits in around my hectic kayaking lifestyle and that I enjoy.

I did have to make a few big changes and I am now pleased to say that thanks to their help I am well on my way to reaching my health and fitness goals for the forthcoming World Championships later this year.

GB Freestyle Team Selection, Training at Hurley Weir Feb 2009

2009-03-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

Since Xmas my training for the British Freestyle Team Selections 2009 has been going really well.

I have been spending a lot of time in the gym, with my personal trainer Gio and in the swimming pool at Leeds Met University in my squirt boat.

I am now in the final training preparation stages and the focus has changed to more site specific, river training. I have spent the last few weeks on the London weirs at Hurley and Hambledon with my team mate Stu Parry. Where we have been working on some new moves and we have been putting together some ride plans for both the freestyle and squirt boating competitions.

Thanks to the recent mix of weather we have been fortunate to have had a few fantastic days training in the sun and with the River Thames still full of water it is looking that Hurley Weir will be the venue for next weekend’s event.

Here is a short video of us training for the freestyle event on Hurley Weir

Leeds Sports Woman of the Year

2009-03-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

Team Peakuk paddler Claire O'Hara has just been awarded Leeds Sports Woman of the Year. Claire received the award for her dedication to Freestyle and Squirt Kayaking in which she has excelled over the last few years winning European, World and British titles. Well done!!
(Pete Astles PeakUK)

What a fantastic way to start the year.

I received a letter in January saying that I had been nominated as the Leeds Sports Women of the Year.

In 2006 I received 2nd place at the awards as highly commended Sports Woman of the Year so to be nominated again was a fantastic suprise.

The event took place on Monday the 22nd February 2009 at the Leeds Carnegie Headingley Stadium and was hosted by the Leeds Sports Federation, Sports Leeds and Leeds Met University.

The evening started with a lovely meal followed by the awards. I was joined at the event by my Grandad, Dad, Mum, Aunty Breada and Boyfriend Ian.

It was great to see the city celebrate the success of its top athletes. There was a wide representation of athletes shortlisted to win the awards from a variety of different sports, both Olympic and non Olympic,including diving, squash, disabled weight lifting,hockey, rugby and kayaking.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds and president of the Leeds Sports Federation started presenting the award.

I could not believe it when they announced that I had been chosen alongside boxer Nicola Adams, hockey player Jo Ellis, cyclist Debbie Flood and rower Lizzie Armsitead to win the 2008 Leeds Sports Woman of the Year Award.

Thank you to Leeds Sports Federation and everyone who helped with the event. Thanks to everyone who has helped me in my training and success over the last few years. And a massive thank you those of you who nominated me.

Thank You

ClaireO
Leeds Sports Woman of the Year 2008

Downtime @ Dark

2008-12-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

When the water colour below the surface is brighter than the sky above and your in the UK paddling you should really / probably get off!!!

Downtime Dave and I took a flying visit to wish you were here in the Lakes on Tuesday and had a fantastic paddle on one of the best spots in the North.

Downtime Dave at the Put In

Setting of only 3hrs later than planned we arrived at the river at 3.30pm in the pooring rain to find not one but three seams working.

Dave checks out the three seams

Excited and wrapped up warm we set to the river for a fantastic downtime session.

Dave Mystery

Within half and hour the light had gone but this didn't stop us enjoying ourselves as we continued on well into the night.

For all you budding squirt boaters out there is spot is definatly worth the visit.

Claire O at the Take Out

Fantastic News

2008-12-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

I have just recieved sponsorship from Tocco Magico Hair Design in Leeds. Top Hair Stylist Ascarnio is going to keep my hair in shape whilst I train for the worlds.

Tocco Magico is situated on Otley Road in Leeds. You can contact Ascarnio at Tocco Magico on 0113 2753 582.

Snow at the Swale

2008-12-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

The Swale is one of the classic runs in North Yorkshire. The Upper section of the river contains a series of fantastic waterfalls set in a beautiful valley.

A week earlier the plans to run the river had to been posponed due it being frozen solid but this week the snow had begun to melt and the run was on.

Ade P, Darren, Molly & Simon joined me on the water and we had a fantastic day on the falls.

Darren running Rainby Force

Claire O on Rainsby Force

Darren on Upper Kisden Force

The walk out...

New River Running Kayak Dagger Mamba 8.0.

2008-12-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Freezing temperatures, low water levels and a new boat to play with…

This weekend I took my new boat a Dagger Mamba 8.0 over to Wales to test it out.

Despite the lack of rain and with snow and ice everywhere, we had a fantastic day on the River Llugwy at Pont Cyfng falls on the Saturday and joined up with most of the paddlers in North Wales for a leisurely paddle on the River Dee on Sunday.

I found my new boat great as it handled really well, it was very responsive and carried its speed well. I can’t wait to test it out more when the rain comes.

Stu Parry and Ross Montandon we're with me on Pont Cyfng Falls heres some photos of the boys in action

Stu preparing for the 1st drop

Stu Parry on the top drop (above)

Ross Montandon 2nd drop (above)

The Training Begins

2008-11-25T15:01:00.001-08:00

In order to focus on my training I have recently moved back to Leeds to commence on a new training regime, leaving Nottingham City Council’s Adventure Team and the National Water Sports Centre which is now closed for renovations. With the GB freestyle team selections in March and the World Championships less than a year away, I am back in training, using the winter season to work on fitness, nutrition and fundamental skills and techniques.

Once again I am very fortunate to have a number of people helping me with my training without whom I would not have been able to reach the level I am at now. To all of you who have helped me along the way I would like to say a massive thank you for all your support so far and I look forward to continuing working with you in 2009.

Over the last few weeks I have been working closely with a team of specialists from Carnegie Great Outdoors at Leeds Met University. Leeds Met University have supported me over the last few years and provided key services in helping me reach my potential in time for major events. Training in the University Sport swimming pool, with the help of Andy Bedford and the Leeds Met University Learning Support Team I have had access to a top of the range video analysis programme, Dart Fish, which I have been using to improve my flat water squirt boating techniques and to learn new moves.

This year I am competing in a new boat, a Downtime Asylum, which means much of my training at the moment, is focused on adapting my style to re-learn a number of moves in the new boat. Using the Dart Fish programme I am able to do instant feedback on the pool side allowing me to quickly review and develop my techniques. I am also able to cross analyse old and new video to see what differences occur as well as checking angles to make sure the moves I am learning are accurate in meeting the descriptions in the rules.

Off the water I have been working on my fitness and flexibility with the help of Giovanni Fenu, Personal Trainer and Physiotherapist, and the Village Hotels Health and Fitness Club, Leeds. Training at the Village, under the guidance of Gio, I have begun to work on an intense training programme with a focus on core strength and conditioning, fitness and flexibility. Gio has undertaken the mammoth job of becoming my personal fitness trainer and getting me fit in time for selections in March and ultimately the World Championships in September 2009. Experienced in personal fitness training and a specialist in core work, Gio has already started me on a gruelling training regime, a far cry from the very sport specific training I’m used to.

In addition to my physical training I am also receiving nutritional support. Louise Sutton and Debbie Fearnley, Performance Nutritionists at the Carnegie Centre for Sports Performance and Wellbeing at Leeds Met University, have conducted a Diet Analysis and have put together a Nutritional Plan which they will be working on with me up to the World Championships in September 2009. With their help I hope that I should be able to manage my food and drink intake correctly to create a balance, where my energy levels complement my training, enabling me to reach maximum performance during training and competition times.

I am also in discussions with Leeds Met University Sports Psychologists who are going to provide me with support and training in the vital preparation stages in the lead up to the competitions in 2009.

In addition to these areas I am also going to be embarking on a number of trips to complement my Leeds based training. Last week I was out in Bavaria with Carnegie Great Outdoors and My Peak Potential at the Alpine Rose and during my visit I was able to discuss plans for a Nordic Ski cross-training visit early in 2009. I also have plans for a 2 week river running trip to Scotland over New Year, a week’s snowboarding trip to France in January and a mystery move squirt boating trip with Downtime Kayaks to the Chesserzac Gorge in France, early next year.

Hopefully, this varied approach to training will allow me to be physically and mentally prepared for the competitions ahead. This is only the beginning of what is set to be another challenging yet very enjoyable year.

So with chlorine stung eyes and burning abs, I am going to go back to analysing today’s pool session videos with my glass of water and lettuce leaf salad snack before my 9pm athlete curfew and bed!

Robin Hood Watersport Dry Suit Tested Winter 2008

2008-11-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

Based in Leeds Robinhood Watersports have supported me over the last few years.

The New Custom Kayak Drysuit they made me for the Worlds last year has been put through to test this winter and has kept me safe and warm.

A fantastic piece of kit, strong, durable and dry, every boater should get one.

British Squirt Boating Champion 2008

2008-10-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

On the 4th and 5th October 2008, Britain’s top freestyle and squirt boat paddlers came together to compete in the British Championships at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.

The event was a difficult test for the paddlers as the river level was high and there was heavy rain and strong winds. These conditions along with the high standard of paddling being shown made the competition extremely tough and competitors fought hard all weekend to try and win the title.

Despite the bad weather I had a fantastic weekend with all my hard training helping me stay strong. In the freestyle event I finished a very respectable 3rd place, with Fiona Jarvie current European Champion winning the British title and Jennifer Chrimes former Junior World Champion finishing in second place.

However, my main success was in the Squirt Boat Competition where in a very tiring battle in a flooded magic roundabout I once again became British Squirt Boating Champion, this time not only winning the ladies title but also beating all the men.

Check out the Downtime Kayaks website for more information on everything Squirt Boating in the UK http://www.downtimekayaks.com/

Aaron Layton (above) and Josh Gosling (below) Squirt Boating at the British Championships at Nottingham

World Cup Series 2008

2008-08-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

The 2008 World Cup Series was held in Prague, Ausberg and Thun and brought over 250 paddlers from across the world together to compete on some of the best competition play boating locations in Europe.

I managed to get out and compete at two of the events Ausberg and Thun where I finished 9th and 14th respectively.

The main reason for going to the World Cup series for me this year was to check out the Thun site in Switzerland as it is the venue for the World Championships in September 2009. It was great to see the freestyle wave and also the proposed site for the squirt boating event.

Thun is an amazing place with a river of crystal blue water running through a beautiful town surrounded by lakes and mountains. I really look forward to getting the chance to go back there for the event next year.

For more information on the 2009 World Freestyle Championships check out

www.icf-thun2009.ch

European Championships

2008-07-31T12:19:00.000-07:00

Squirt Boating star Claire O’Hara wins Bronze at the European Freestyle Kayaking Championships in Ourense Spain.

What a week I have just returned from the European Championships in Spain where I have been competing in two disciplines of kayaking, freestyle and squirt.

With over 6 months of training for this competition behind me I was feeling fit and paddling well. With the temperatures reaching 39 degrees the conditions were hard. I spent just over a week in Spain before the competition started training and acclimatizing. The team and coaches had high hopes for me in both events. The competition didn’t start to well a as combination of nerves, pressure and bad luck saw me finish in 13th place in the freestyle just missing the semi final cut.

A day later and I was back on the water, this time in my squirt boat. I had managed to pull my head back together, just in time. I was to compete in a unisex event against some of Europe’s top men and women paddlers. Of the 12 paddlers in the heat only 5 would go through. I focused and paddled hard and finished in 3rd place.

The finals day quickly came and it was time to compete again. I kept up the standard of paddling from the heats day and fought my way onto the podium finishing top squirt boating lady and 3rd overall, winning the bronze medal.

Next year I hope to be heading out to the World Championships in Switzerland in a bid to become World Champion.

Freestyle Girls

2008-06-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

Over the last two years I have been working with some of the countries best young freestyle talent.

Poppy Layton, Gabby Bates and Natasha Issacs are three junior girls who have been ripping it up in 2007.

I am proud to have had the chance to work with them on their quest to make the British Freestyle Team and train for the forth coming European and World Championships.

Mark Birkbeck

2008-04-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have been fortunate enough this year to receive support from a lot of people in helping me in my training. One of the biggest assets has been the addition of former World Junior Freestyle Champion Mark Birkbeck to my support team.

Mark has taken on the job as being my freestyle coach. Traveling from Kent to Nottingham to help me with my training, Mark is working with me on all aspects of my paddling development. Preparing and training me to be my best in time for the forth coming competitions and ultimately the Worlds.

http://www.markbirkbeck.com/

New Freestyle Kayak… Jackson Star

2008-04-27T14:05:00.000-07:00

Time for a change, this year I will be competing in a new kayak, a Jackson Star. I have had a fantastic time training and competing in my Riot Flair over the last two years but am now ready for a new challenge.

Thank you to Pete Astles and PeakUK for providing me with my Riot boats for the last two years and a big thank you to Big Aaron and Square Rock who will now be supporting me with my freestyle kayaks for the forthcoming season.

GB Team Training

2008-04-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

Official British team training for the Europeans began in March and since then GB Team Coach Pete Catterall has already been putting us through our paces in a bid to get us to perform at our best ready for the competitions ahead.

World Champion Squirt Boater Ben White has been working with the Squirt Boat team with specific squirt boating training sessions ensuring we have full understanding of the sport and the moves to increase our chance of success.

International Squirt Gathering, France

2008-04-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

My first international training trip this year took place at the end of April on the Chesserac Gorge in France. I flew out to the ‘Downtime’ International Squirt Gathering with 13 British squirt boaters to join one French squirt boater at what is by far Europe’s best squirt boating location.

The aim of the weekend was to improve my mystery moves, the move where a squirt boater disappears below the surface of the river traveling with the flow, underwater, for as long as possible before resurfacing smoothly and elegantly.

At approx 2.5m under the rivers surface, having been there for over 9 seconds, I found myself hitting the up button and resurfacing fast. I had once again ran out of breath.

Over the weekend I accomplished my aim and mastered the mystery move properly for the first time in nearly two years of trying.

It was a fantastic trip. It was amazing watching Ben White, Dave Savage and Dan Smurf some of Europes top ‘Mystery Move Specialist’ hitting the bottom of the river almost 4m deep and staying their for over 25 seconds. Insane.

Information, photos and videos on the squirt boat gatherings can be found on www.downtimekayaks.com/forums as can details for next years trip.

Level 5 Coach Development

2008-04-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

As part of my ongoing professional development I spent the week at Plas y Brenin in April on the BCU Level 5 Inland Kayak Coach Training course. The course was fantastic and delivered by a very strong team of highly experienced and qualified instructors. I am now an Aspirant Level 5 Kayak coach.

As an aspirant Level 5 coach I will over the next 2 -3 years, be working with my mentors Dino Heald (Plas y Brenin) and Nigel ‘Wilf’ Wilford (Coach2O) towards the Coach Level 5 Assessment.

As part of this process I will be working with a number of long term students and will be designing and delivering a Youth River Skills Series which will run alongside the Youth Freestyle Series.

Pursuing my coach Level 5 qualification, helping with top end paddler development, continually developing my coaching knowledge and delivering coach education are all areas in which I have great interest.

I hope in the not so distant future to become a multi discipline level 5 coach and continue to work at coaching top level paddle sport.

My Peak Potential

2008-04-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

It was at this event that My Peak Potential offered to help me with my training at their exclusive site in Bavaria, Germany.

I will be traveling out with Leeds Met University in June to start training with their top instructors.

Visit their website www.my-peakpotential.com to find out more about what they do and what they can offer to you.

I will keep you updated on my training developments.

2008 The year so far….

2008-04-01T15:08:00.000-07:00

2008 is already turning into a great year. A combination of lots training, trips abroad, work and events have seen the last 4 months fly by. With so much more ahead the reality is things have only just begun.

I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who helped to make 2007 such a successful and enjoyable year. Big thank you to my family, friends, coaches and sponsors without them my success would not have been possible.

A special thank you has to go to my Mum, Dad, Nan and Grandad. Pete Catterall, Ben White, Chris Jones and everyone involved in coaching and supporting the GB Freestyle Team. My sponsors Pete Astles & PeakUK, Mark Robinson & Leeds Metropolitian University, Dave Savage & Downtime kayaks, Lance Mitchell & Mitchell Blades, Andrew & Elemental Ideas and Aaron and Rick & Robinhood Watersports. Your continued support has been exceptional. Thank you.

Claire O'Hara

Welcome

New Year- the beginning of the next chapter

Sportsister meets Claire O’Hara

2011: What an incredible year

‘9 till 9’ - the Creek Boaters working weekend

News : Teva Partnership 'Live Better Stories'

New Peak UK kit and speed skins

British Championships Series 2011

Coming soon...

The Ottawa River, Canada – A playboating paradise

Lee Valley

French Alp Trips Summer 2011

What a way to spend a day... Peak UK Summer Sausage Sizzle!

Double Gold ... I can't believe I just won two World Championships

Day 1 ... 1950.320 points

Well done to evenyone in Team GB who paddled today some awesome runs from all the athletes

Claire O'Hara, Islay Crosbie and Lou Turner into the Ladies Squirt finalsJamie Austin (1st place), Seth Ashworth and Ben Aldred into the Mens Squirt Semi finalsClaire O'Hara, Emily Wall and Jenny Chrimes into the K1 Womens Quater finalsAdam Ramadan into the C1 semi finals

Check out this link to a video of me, islay and millie performing in todays event

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=715510426#!/video/video.php?v=10150220701747427&comments

and www.icf-freestyle.de for more live streaming of the event and details of times and results

GB Team : 78 minutes

8 days and counting

Yorkshire Evening Post Sport Sunday Article 11th June 2011

Leeds kayaking ace harbours double ambition INTERVIEW

21 days to go .... finally my boat sinks

22 days left ...

Only 33 days left ...

VW Van Centre West Yorkshire sponsor Claire O’Hara in 2011

BBC Inside Out 2011

I have just received some great news...

London Boat Show Display Week - written by James 'Pringle' Bebbington

2010

Freestyle Kayaking Performances at the London Boat Show 12th - 16th Jan 2011

Latest News

Canada 2010

Claire O'Hara wins Silver Medal at the European Championships 2010

Awesome day for Team GB in Lienz

European Championships 2010 Training

Platting Freestyle Kayaking World Cup 2010... Cancelled due to rain!!!

Latest News...

‘To fly on Monday or not to fly on Monday! That is the question!’

New 2010 Jackson Star

VW Van Centre West Yorkshire sponsor Claire O’Hara in 2010

Aire Wave

British Champion 2009

CK Women

BBC Look North

World Champion 2009

World Champion 2009

I made the finals

We're on our way...

VW Van Centre West Yorkshire provide T5 to take to the Worlds

Appletini

New: Downtime Asylum

Meanwood Village Association and the Meanwood Institute come to the rescue

Thanks James

Got Charc? Got Soul?

Le Chasseraq

Down, down, deeper, down, down

Great British Freestyle and Squirt Boating Team Selection 2009

British Freestyle Kayak Display Team at the NEC Outdoors Show 2009

Squirt Boat Training at Leeds Met University

Five a Day!!!

GB Freestyle Team Selection, Training at Hurley Weir Feb 2009

Leeds Sports Woman of the Year

Downtime @ Dark

Fantastic News

Snow at the Swale

New River Running Kayak Dagger Mamba 8.0.

The Training Begins

Robin Hood Watersport Dry Suit Tested Winter 2008

British Squirt Boating Champion 2008

World Cup Series 2008

European Championships

Freestyle Girls

Mark Birkbeck

New Freestyle Kayak… Jackson Star

GB Team Training

International Squirt Gathering, France

Claire O'Hara, Islay Crosbie and Lou Turner into the Ladies Squirt finals

Jamie Austin (1st place), Seth Ashworth and Ben Aldred into the Mens Squirt Semi finals

Claire O'Hara, Emily Wall and Jenny Chrimes into the K1 Womens Quater finals

Adam Ramadan into the C1 semi finals