2011 Review from Emily Jackson- Troutman
Posted in Blogroll - by snapdragon, on 29/09/2011
2011 Review!
Hey Everyone- year in reviews are always books by me as I end up so many places and doing so much fun stuff! (I know life is hard right!) This time I am going to just give the full year a bit of a recap and mention where I went and what I did…. KAYAKED!
The year started at home. We celebrated New Years eve in style by lighting fireworks (and big ones) off the dam and listened to the echo as my dog tried to attack every single one we lighted- I was nervous about that… Champagne and laughter’s filled the night with the times we didn’t have a firework going. Nick wasn’t there so I didn’t have anyone to kiss during the countdown but plenty of jokes were made about Gerd- from Spain being my new years eve kiss- Gerd and I both weren’t so into that!
With Dane and Nick in Mexico, Dad and I paddled together often and it was a ton of fun, Clay Wright joined us when he would make it down in time and I had a blast working on everything I suck at!
When the boys came home- Dane, Clay, Nick and I went to the New River Dries! So much fun! I had an absolute blast and love that wave! I could surf it for hours and felt like I could try everything and even though it was cold it was a soft landing!
When February came around we headed off to Uganda to paddle the mighty nile river. This trip was based around filming, paddling the silverback section before it went away and training for the world championships. With lots of surfing in our pockets as well as some great stores and a birthday party or two, we headed home, tanned and ready for the season.
Once we got home we went to the Alabama Mountain games- like a day later and had a blast playing Frisbee golf, sup’ing etc….
Next was the T’Ville Triple Crown which I love! It has slalom, wild water and freestyle. Each discipline was a blast and it was fun to attempt to stay right side up in a wild water boat! I paddled really well in the hole and felt like I was closing the gap between the boys and myself some more!
On our way down we went to the NOC Shootout which I had never been to before! Super fun event! Great people and great organization! Lots of people turned out and it turned into a great event!
Nick, Dane and I headed up the Grand Prix after a pit stop at home to drop stuff while Mom, Dad and KC headed west to the Reno River Festival. I ended up flying out to the Reno River Festival once I noticed that the Grand Prix would be nothing but a stress fest that people coped with by partying hard. This was how it was going to be for me so I decided health wise, I had best not be there……There were several locations I wish I had been there for but two weeks of on your toes kayaking isn’t something I needed or wanted at the time. I was happy to have surfed gladiator and to have seen some of my friends, all who of which were in paddling heaven. Big props to all who made the event happen and stepped up to fill a hole in whitewater kayaking competitions.
Once at Reno River Festival I relaxed a bit more, hung out with my family, ran around and a great time surfing and working on my off side moves.
Two days after ever looking at tickets I ended up at the Dominion River Rock Festival in Virginia. This event had a boater cross and a ramp event. Not your normal events but great ones none the less…. OMG the ramp was retarded- great event but silliest thing ever, it landed in two feet of water (last year someone blew their knee hitting the bottom) and was by far one of the biggest ramps I have ever seen. Keep in mind I have been to the Lyons River Fest in the past and their ramp was huge as well… Tao Berman was there being Tao so that made the event entertaining and Dad and I had a great time hanging out, eating great food and demoing out what seemed like hundreds of boats onto the lake. The rock climbing event was amazing as was all of the mud runs!
Afterwards Dad and I flew into Salt Lake City where Mom picked us up and started driving us to Green River Wyoming. A new event and a new play spot, we had no idea what to expect. Dane and Nick met us out there and brought my babies- Rio and Rupert. It was good to get back with the guys and we were once again the traveling circus we always are. The play spot was adjustable so we had fun making the best SUP waves, holes and sometimes pour overs! I had a fantastic ride in Finals and was winning womens and mens until Stephen wright went out and beat my score. I would have placed 2nd in the mens! Cool beans! Yes I beat Dane and Nick! Whoop Whoop! My dream of beating them as often as possible felt so much closer. (then they continued to beat me the rest of the year- damn)
We then drove off to Buena Vista, Colorado, where the CKS Fest is. The CKS is a sale first and rodeo second. So we were all jumping in the water when we could to compete. The spot was tricky but fun and it was great to see the number of female competitors. We sold kayaks, ate at Eddyline Brewery- oh my goodness yum, and partied hard after finals! It was a funny party as I think Nick may have gotten kicked out of the bar then let back in, mom was having a lot of fun with dad, maybe too much fun? And I was the one who started it all so it only went down hill from there!
Dane, Nick and I headed out to the Paddler Pro Life- which was on a crazy spot that you couldn’t even get a loop at most of the time. Dane killed it like he does and the rest of us looked like beginners. Fun competitors dinner afterwards made up for the event and I hope they get there stuff together for next year. Either way, always love going to Steamboat just to eat at Winonas for breakfast and Backcountry Provisions for lunch…. Delicious- notice how I talk about food a lot! Eek!
Next was the Teva Mountain Games- MY FAVORITE…. I won it for my 7th time in a row- I was pretty stoked. The boys didn’t have their best rides but still did well. My first time being here as a 21 year old I finally got to celebrate in style too! Of course non of us were allowed into the Teva Party because the bouncers were lame but we had our own party and I am pretty sure we won. The next day was the 8 Ball where we all do a boatercross and try to get around 8 other paddlers coming straight for us- this equals awesome carnage!
Basically the next morning we headed out to Worlds where we all trained hard- the first day I was in the water for 7 hours straight- I know- silly right….
It was a great event and people paddled really well… I never felt like I exploded like I normally know how but all that did was make me a better paddler in the end…. Dane was the star child of the event and paddled so well it was hard to notice much else- big props to my wee brother and all of those who paddled at the worlds- just getting there requires making a team!
Right after worlds Nick and I went to Switzerland with my Mother in Law and my non related aunt Jessie stone and her boy toy Jurg. We visited their home and got to go hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, zip lining- sketchy zip lining at that…. This was a highlight of the year for sure!
I flew from Europe to Idaho where I met Dad, Dane and Mom, paddled the bladder wave, north fork of the payette, celebrated 4th of july in style and competed at the KWP event. Nick flew home to get the car, our dogs and drive up to Canada. Our car was driven from TMG to the Nashville Airport so graciously by Adriene, my creek star older sis. The KWP event was one of the best of the year, from making everything available to the athletes- cool hats, goody bags, amazing kayak features and BIG prize checks all the way to 5th. The feature was one of my favorite from HUGE wave moves- that feed into a catchers mitt, no one was afraid of going too big!
I then flew from KWP to Canada to meet up with my amazing husband and brought Dad with me as he was teaching for Ottawa Kayak School. I had a blast paddling on the Ottawa with Ruth doing sessions of things we cant do- which made it very entertaining to watch. I also helped Dad teach his awesomely hilarious Israelis and two buddies of mine several days.
On the weekends nick and I would relax and visit with my In Laws.
During this whole adventure I have been training for a 50k and Marathon so that also occupied much of my time in Canada.
We left for Outdoor Retailer where I got to see many friends, talk to people about kayaks and look for free goodies. I also got some flashy new Sperry Shoes and everyone couldn’t stop talking about them! Horny Toad also gave me some of their samples and oh my goodness I have lived in them since! (and looked good if I might say so!)
Back in Canada, the family started driving the RV out and Nick and I flew. It was nice to be back, we got busy between family outings, in law dinners and paddling our brains out with Garb in! My In laws got a boat so wake boarding and swimming were SO MUCH FUN! Not to mention fishing almost every day. Dad told me to take the fish off the hook by clamping the lip of the fish with your thumb. I wasn’t allowed to ask for help even though I really didn’t enjoy taking the fish off the hook. But I decided I wouldn’t even mention anything and went for it on my own, only to clamp a pike with my thumb (BIG TEETH) and ripped my thumb to shreds. It was so bloody the guys were like what are you doing and then came over to realize it wasn’t the fish but me that was bleeding like crazy. Lesson learned- when you catch a fish call daddy in your sweetest voice- and when he says I am not helping you ask your adopted New Zealander to come help you… she will always be happy to oblige.
We also did several overnighters out of the Rogues on the river! That was so much! Catching dinner and eating marshmellows! What could be better!
The Ottawa Rodeo finally came along and we had it on Garberator. I had a blast paddling and competing next to Katie Kowalski as we had competed at Garb together when we were both like 13 in the past. Lots of joking around and goofing off happened. The brits were there as well, Claire O’Hare was there and it was fun to see her paddle on a wave!
From there I went home! Oh my goodness the place does exist! I hadn’t been there since like March! I was here or 6 days then I left with my mother to Gauley Festival. Nick and Dane were flying to Europe from home the next day and my Dad had already left a couple days before to Europe.
Gauley was a blast but I missed my paddling group….. A LOT. It was fun to be the loud mouth on the roof throwing our hats that were raffle tickets and pulling the prize.
I am gluten and lactose intolerant so I ate as much as I could at Pies and Pints as they have gluten free crusts and you can get your pizza with no cheese- it is so delicious! (I swear)
Mom drove home and my Uncle Scott came up. Courtney Kerin (my adopted kiwi) lived in the car with me and had a great time driving around and being goofy. I took Uncle Scott from Sweets down through the middle with some of his buddies. He paddled so much better than the last time we paddled together, I was very impressed. The next day was a hometown throwdown at Canyon Doors where there were a TON of people so it was fun to go and support the event. After that we took my Uncle and his friends down the New and the next day was an EPIC day on the Upper. I paddled so hard and felt so sore but the paddling was just so good.
Uncle Scott headed home and Courtney and I headed to NOC for the Guest Appreciation Festival. We had lots of people excited on our kayaks and lots of support from the dealer when it came to selling the boats. I also had a used gear tent where people came and sucked me dry! Perfect!
Courtney headed to the Surf Worlds- where I wanted to go but couldn’t handle more time away from home right now….
Now I you can believe it, I am at home! Been here for 3 days…. Having fun with my grandmother and my mother, as well as my punk baby brother…. No not Dane, KC. At three he’s is a monster on two legs!
I am planning on keeping this year going but traveling this winter but I simply cannot wait to get my husband, father and brother home from Europe so we can all chill out together and get the much needed family time in! Family games every evening and paddling every day.
Finishing up our winter plans now! Who knows where we are going to go!
As for the next couple weeks- getting ready to run my 50k on Oct 15 with John Grace and Jeff Paine, and run my marathon with mom on Nov 20.
Also the Whitewater Symposium is coming up and I know that its going to be a great crowd!
Thanks for everyone who has been a part of my great year! I couldn’t do it without all the support!
Happy Paddling to All and a big thanks to all my sponsors for all their continued support!
Emily Jackson- Troutman
