There is something special about an opening ceremonies that raises the adrenaline levels, and makes an event real. The Pomp and Circumstance, the entire field in one location, all in team uniform, and the realization that training is over and the competing is about to begin combines into a surreal feeling that puts everyone in a great mood and reminds us that something big is happening.
I have done these my first world championships for slalom, back in 1989, but each one has the same general effect.
It focuses your thoughts on the who, the what, when, and the why. I overheard numerous comments last night by some of the new USA Team members, like “Is this how opening ceremonies usually are?” Or, “Oh my God, this is awesome!”
Typically each host organization and country/region tries to showcase something unique about their culture or history. Nottingham is a very old castle city, with the Nottingham Castle being built in 1100’s and famous for Robin Hood, Nottingham Caves (carved by hand out of the soft sandstone) and Knights, Crusades (Richard the Lionheart ate at the very Inn we at dinner at last night, built in 1089- “Ye old Trip to Jerusalem” .
The Jackson Family prepped by putting on team uniforms and Emily brought some sweet over the top USA fancy pants, shirts, etc.. Parker couldn’t resist getting dolled up with red lipstick, and Emily couldn’t deny her that on this day. Nick was in a top to bottom Maple leaf Canada outfit that could be spotted a mile away and represented well.
At the event we marched from the Robin Hood Statue past the crowd and into the Castle where the Head of the British Canoe Union, and the International Canoe Federation gave opening remarks, a bit of history of British Kayak Teams and events there (such as the 1995 World Slalom Championships in Nottingham that I was lucky enough to be able to compete in). Matt Hamilton from Canada was the MC and did a great job keeping the event moving. I must admit this was the first time I wasn’t a bit bored with the speeches of the politicians! It could be that they kept it shorter than normal and they were in English.
The countries competing span the Globe, and the athletes are young to old. Juniors as young as 15, and seniors as old as, well, I am not sure. I am 58, so there is that. This World Championships also debuts the Masters Class, which I am also competing in, so some blasts from the past are here.
Once the speeches were over, and we all learned a bit of Nottingham history, a performance history group created a knights battle show for us and it was both a bit funny and also fun to watch. Kind of a medieval “WWF Wrestlemania” thing. “This is unscripted and no holds barred full contact battle with Swords” they said. Well, all 6 knights managed to survive this night somehow.
Slovenians, Canadians, Australians, British, Americans, and more ate Dinner at the “Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem”, the oldest Inn in england 930 years old, with a hole up through the roof to host beer up to the army manning the walls. (I wouldn’t mind manning the wall for the castle back then!)
10 pm and we were back to our rental house. Dane is out of Quarantine today- while he missed training and opening ceremonies, we go paddle at 8am for a short 45 minute window and his first time in the hole. The competition starts today! Game on!
Apex Watercraft will debut at the 2022 World Championships for its first competition. Much like Jackson Kayak did in the 2004 Pre-Worlds in Australia. Here we go!
Some more photos from last night:
