Pan American Championships 2013

Pan American Championships took place in Union De Tula, Jalisco, Mexico. Team Canada flew down to Puerta Vallarta where we then enbarked on a 6 hour drive through gnarly mountain roads. We had about 2 weeks of an intense training camp where we had 2 sessions a day on whitewater. All the food was provided where we had delicious authentic mexican food for every meal. In addition to on water training we went for team runs up to the highest hill in the city that had a large church on top of it. I was not able to run, but I was able to speed walk!

The race took place on March 2 and 3rd where heats were on Saturday and semi-finals and finals were on Sunday. I raced both C1W and K1W where I finished 3rd in C1W and 8th in K1W. Unfortunately, in my finals run I touched the first gate, which motivated me to paddle harder, but in turn forced me to loose my focus and hit another 3 gates.

Here are some photos that I managed to catch!

The Church in the middle of Union De Tula

The top of the river

Don't be fooled by its size these are the most deadly scorpions in Mexico. One bite from these guys and your throat closes up instantly. 

Team Canada and our police escort

Speed walking!

The girls of Team Canada!

We did not have access to a gym so we had to improvise with what we had

Opening ceremonies

Opening ceremonies and our cute escorts for the parade

Team Canada

Overall, I felt very strong and confident. I felt that I had some of my personal best paddling done on this trip. The team bonded very well with each other and I am really looking forward to this season starting!

The race results can be found here: http://panamchamps.com

Exiting News for 2015 Pan American Games!

Big News was announced this week! Slalom Canoe will be included in the program for the 2015 Pan American Games, which will be held in Toronto. In addition to this C1 women will be included in the program! This means women's C1 is one step closer to the Olympics!

Dear Colleagues,
Dear canoe girls and women community,  

I am pleased to announce that PASO approved the Sprint and Slalom Competition Programmes submitted by COPAC for the “XVII Pan American Games, Toronto2015” with the inclusion of the C1 women event for both disciplines.  

COPAC is a pioneer in the World, promoting and including the canoe women events; first as exhibitions later included on the programme; and since now on it becomes part of the Programme of the Pan American Games.  

The NFs of the Americas that have not yet incorporated canoe women, are once again strongly encouraged to take the necessary actions in order to grant the rights of their girls and women athletes, providing to them the opportunity to participate at all competition levels.  

The Pan American Games, Toronto 2015, are only two years away, and the athletes need your prompt actions to participate of their Games.  

As COPAC President and restless advocate for the women rights, I would like to express my gratitude for this opportunity, to the authorities of ODEPA, Organising Committee of Toronto 2015, and to the COPAC Technical Delegates Dwight Corbin and Eric Lokken.  

THANKS to you all girls and women in canoe for challenging yourselves in your quest for excellence.  

With my kind regards

Dr. Cecilia Liliana Farías
COPAC President
“Women rights are Human rights” 

The letter can also be found on SPORTSCENE:
http://www.sportscene.tv/news/womens-c1-will-be-on-the-xvii-pan-american-games-in-toronto-2015

Post Knee Surgery

It has been 4 months since I had MPFL knee surgery. Yesterday was the first day back on the river where AJ and I went to the kananaskis. It was an amazing day with sun and about 0 all day. I have been given the "okay" to return back to all regualr activity. Unfortunatly, running will not be one of those exercises. I have been doing a lot of biking as my cross training which helps to build up my leg muscles without the impact of running. 

Here is what my knee looks like all healed up!

                 

 

CASCADA

I have paddled in this area of Mexico and I can definitely empathize with puking on the side of the river and the bugs!  It is definitely all worth it!

CASCADA from NRS Films on Vimeo.

ReadyToFly

Women's canoeing is currently excluded from the Olympic games just as women's ski jumping was.  This is the trailer for their journey, which is very similiar to my dream to become an Olympian in women's canoeing.



http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=403901244363

http://www.readytoflyfilm.com

Women's C1 Gender Equity

Standing up for gender equity

CKC Commodore, Peter Giles delivered these remarks this morning at the International Canoe Federation's Congress inSaint Petersburg, Russia. Canada continues to be a vocal leader in supporting equity in canoeing. CKC will continue to push this issue internationally despite a disappointing proposal by the International Canoe Federation to hold the Olympic program unchanged in 2016.

"Mr. President,

Canada appreciates the progress that the ICF has made in promoting gender equity in sprint and slalom, and in particular the growing presence of women's canoe on world championship programs.

However, Canada is extremely disappointed with the proposal to hold the Olympic program unchanged in 2016. This is in conflict with the ICF's Equity Charter, distributed at the 2012 Olympic Games; and indeed with the ICF slogan, "Always Moving Forward." The Equity Charter commits the ICF to increase women's events in sprint and slalom on the 2016 program, and to achieve "50/50" – full gender equity – on the Olympic program in 2020.

To achieve these goals will require some very difficult decisions. We applaud the efforts of the ICF to lobby for an additional women's C-1 event in slalom. However, it is clear that the IOC cannot solve our larger gender equity problem. There is no easy way out; delaying the decision is not an answer, and will not satisfy the demands of the IOC, the media, or the public. We strongly urge the Board, as our elected leaders, to take on these difficult challenges; and as a first step, to submit a program proposal for 2016 that includes women's canoe for slalom and sprint.

Thank you." 

Peter Giles, Commodore, CanoeKayak Canada

Here is the overview of the ICF Women’s Commission Congress in St Petersburg, Russia from the International Canoe Federation's perspective:

http://www.canoeicf.com/icf/NewsGallery/News/ICF-Gender-Equity-Workshop-a-success-in-St--Petersburg.html

Here is the Response from Sports Scene:

http://www.sportscene.tv/news/canoekayak-canada-and-community-respond-to-icfs-decision-to-maintain-gender

REALIZE OUR DREAM - Trailer

One of my fellow C1W paddlers made an awareness video for C1W, here is the trailer.

Enjoy and Share!