The International Canoe Federation's Canoe Slalom Development Camp reached a successful conclusion in Krakow, Poland after participants rose to the task on challenging whitewater courses.
Following the opening phase of the programme in Prague, Czechia where athletes gained valuable experience alongside the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, the group travelled to Bratislava, Slovakia to immerse themselves in a different discipline.
They competed at the ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Cup 3+4 in Bratislava before finishing their journey at the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships in Krakow.
For many of the athletes, it was their first experience racing in wildwater boats and competing in a World Cup environment, while continuing to develop their slalom and kayak cross skills.
"It was a great experience for the athletes," said ICF Development Coach Wojciech Sekula.
"They had an opportunity to learn a new discipline, paddle a different boat and familiarise themselves with the amazing whitewater course in Čunovo.
“We all met and worked together as one team with the ICF Wildwater Development coaches and athletes.
“We shared experiences and ideas, planned activities together and everything worked really well. I believe it was highly beneficial for everyone."
Despite stepping outside their comfort zones, the athletes impressed throughout the week.
"They had a chance to focus on delivering quality forward paddling and improving their boat control," Sekula said.
"They all completed the race in downriver boats and we were very impressed."
Kenya’s Arno Atreiu Reblin, Chile’s Geral Soto, India’s Shikha Chouhan and Pradhyumna Singh Rathod, Argentina’s Nerea Castiglione and South Africa’s Waris Mills were in the original group that started in Prague, with South Africa’s Hannah Trower coming in Bratislava.
They joined up with a group of wildwater development paddlers including Mongolia’s Enkhjar Tsogt and Tamir Nyamaa, United States’ Ava Harchak and Alan McCracken, Estonia’s Anette Baum, Ukraine’s Konstantyn Voronezhskyi and Brazil’s Milena Sofia and Daniela Sofia.
"I think the time spent in Bratislava taking part in the Wildwater Canoeing World Cup and collaborating with the Wildwater Development group was a really good idea," Sekula said.
"I hope more ICF development athletes will get opportunities like this in the future. A big thank you to Team Slovakia, including the supporting staff and volunteers, for guiding us through the competition and training days. Everyone was incredibly supportive.
"Also, a big thank you to Gabriela Stacherova for selecting such a fantastic group of athletes and coaches.
"With a group like this, nothing could go wrong. Every day I could see a high level of professionalism and a real desire from everyone to grow, develop, take on new challenges and simply enjoy what they do.
"I am still amazed at how well and smoothly everything worked.
“We created a safe, friendly and respectful environment where everyone was organised both on and off the water.
“From the first week until the end of the camp, there was a fantastic atmosphere. Everyone supported one another.
“We were one big team where every person was an important and strong link in our ICF Development Camp chain."
India’s Chouhan described the development camp as an “incredible experience” as she relished the chance to train with experienced coaches and athletes from different nations.
“The environment was very supportive,” said Chouhan.
“Every day I learned something new. This camp has increased by confidence and motivated me to become a better athletes.
“The main things that I have learned are better paddling technique, race strategy, boat control, and how to perform under pressure. I’ve also learned the importance of consistency, discipline, and learning from every training session.
“Competing in both wildwater and slalom was a great experience. Wildwater helped me improve my speed, endurance and river reading, while slalom challenged my technical skills, precision and decision-making
“Competing in both discipline has made me a more complete paddler and has given me valuable experience for my future competitions.”
Trower added: “This id the third ICF development camp that I have been a part of. Each time I have been part of the development camp I’ve seen a huge improvement in my paddling and I have always been able to take away so much from the coaches about both the mental and physical parts of paddling and racing slalom.
“The other athletes I have met on development camps have been some of the best friends I have ever had which has really made every experience more special.”
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