It is nearly upon us. In less than a month I will be competing in the kayak freestyle WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! I have been training hard for Columbus as it is my last World’s as a junior. The higher than average flows this summer have helped me and the entire Finnish team to have the best tools for success. After the spring wave stakeout in Lapland I have been paddling at Neitikoski wave in Lieksa, Northern Karelia, which has been at perfect wave levels for the whole summer thanks to pretty massive rainfall this summer in eastern Finland.
Nothing to complain about training conditions! Thanks to that I am feeling good about my development as a wave paddler in my Apex Rebound Now it is all about honing my new style to fit Good Wave which is quite a different wave to paddle!
Having two good competitions under my belt in freestyle at Neitikoski I am brimming with confidence heading to Columbus, GA to train and compete. I think I might also have an upper hand on some of my European competition as I know the feature thanks to the freestyle World Cups last October. This year will be my chance to take a shot at the ultimate goal of winning a World Champion title, while having fun doing so. Of course the competition will be fierce, but luckily that is what I enjoy as a paddler and an athlete.
As I’m writing this post I am already on my way to the USA to train and have fun out on the water with the amazing community of paddlers already there.
Let’s have some fun!! See you in Columbus!
Onni