Wausau Whitewater

The 7th Annual Midwest Freestyle Championships was another huge success! With over 75 paddlers competing in Beginner to Expert Classes we saw the largest crowd at any single moment during the Women’s competition of over 200 locals!

Colin Kemp returned again to instruct the Jackson Freestyle Clinic prior to the competition. (Kemp with the Wausau Media) We’d like to thank World Kayak and Jackson Kayak for their support of the event. Wausau Whitewater has a track record for hosting quality events and receiving ACA event of the year awards and the Midwest Freestyle Championships is frequently referred to by paddlers as the best weekend of the year!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this the best weekend of the year! All of our sponsors, the City of Wausau, Wisconsin Public Service, our volunteers, instructors, judges, event organizers, and of course, our competitors for all of your help!

2010 Midwest Freestyle Championships

Final Results

Beginner Freestyle
1. Tyler Kitzrow 39 points
2. Jeremiah Andersen 34 points
3. Chris Colins 30 points

Intermediate Freestyle
1. Adam Mabie 51 points
2. Adrian Ortiz 40 points
3. Marcus Bratu 21 points

Expert Freestyle
1. John McConville 191 points
2. Tommy Gram 109 points
3. Ross Herr 108 points

Women Freestyle
1. Melissa Manger Grover 20 points
2. Hailey Thompson 15 points
3. Christa Gornjak 6 points

Master Freestyle
1. Craig Esposito 91 points
2. Steve Bletsch 83 points
3. Neal Schroeter 22 points

Boatercross
1. Chad Kehn
2. Matthew Cooper
3. James Jensen

Team Freestyle
1. John McConville, Patrick Duffy, Bob Menard 180 points
2. Ross Herr, Cole Jacobsen, Bryan Zlimen 141 points
2. David Gustafson, Matt Jensen, Adam Mabie 141 points

WAUSAU, WI (August 17, 2010) –
The 7th Annual Midwest Freestyle Championships begin Saturday at Wausau Whitewater Park in Downtown Wausau on the 200 block of River Dr. This annual 2 day event brings over 100 kayakers and canoeists competing in beginner to expert classes on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Entry into the competition includes a chance to Win a New Jackson Kayak of your choice, thousands of dollars in other prizes, lunch for the weekend, four days of water, and a T-shirt for only $45. Practice Water begins Thursday at 10am and water runs each day until 4pm. To register visit www.wausauwhitewater.org/MWF.html

“The most unique component of The Midwest Freestyle Championships in Wausau, WI is the approach that the organizers take to the event as a whole. There is a big component of nurturing boaters of all levels. This is evident in the two days of clinics that are organized for boaters of all skill levels.” States Colin Kemp of World Kayak who returns to Wausau along with John McConville of Jackson Kayak to instruct the Jackson Freestyle Clinic. “I like the fact that I will be teaching everything from the most basic fundamentals in one group, and in the next group I will be working with students who are performing moves that are at the highest levels of the sport” says Kemp.

These paddlers will throw down the basics from Spins to Cartwheels in the beginner class with Loops, McNastys, and Phonix Monkeys breaking through in the Intermediate and Expert classes! Sunday kicks off with a team competition, where randomly drawn teams of three work together to rack up as many points as possible. “This is very unique to Wausau” states Kemp. “Kayaking is primarily an individual sport, but at Wausau the organizers have found ways to build in a team event and a boatercross” The Boatercross will occur Sunday at 11am for a break from the freestyle action. This is a down river race where paddlers must maneuver obstacles while avoiding collisions with their competitors. The first one to finish moves into the next round until only one competitor remains.

Food, kayaking, and canoeing vendors will also be on site all weekend; and spectators can win a kayaking lesson and other prizes! “Admission is Free and it’s a fun way to enjoy the summer weather, states Ashley Knutson, Operations Manager of Wausau Whitewater, “The tricks are exciting to watch and the crowd really gets into it”. Sergeant Troy will also be holding a Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday with prizes of up to $150 at the VFW! So stop out and enjoy the action.

For a schedule of the weekend activities visit http://www.wausauwhitewater.org/MWF.html or find us on Facebook at www.thefacebook.com/wausauwhitewater.

The Jackson Freestyle Clinic Returns to Wausau August 19th and 20th, 2010. Colin Kemp and John McConville will instruct 20 Students. Only 2 openings remain so call Ashley at 715-572-6197 to claim your spot! A waiting list for cancellations will begin after we reach our 20 student capacity. The cost of the 2 day clinic is $155 and includes your entry into the Midwest Freestyle Championships, 4 days of water and lunch, a T-shirt, and if you choose to compete on the weekend, an entry into the competitor prize drawing for a new Jackson Kayak and thousands of dollars of other prizes!

http://www.wausauwhitewater.org/Training.htm#FreestyleClinic

Crystal Gustin throwing down a Space Godzilla in the 2009 Championships

2010 brings the 7th year of the Midwest Freestyle Championships to be held in Wausau, Wisconsin at Wausau Whitewater Park. The 2009 event brought over 100 paddlers from across 7 states to compete for the title of Midwest Freestyle Champion. With a brand new Jackson Kayak and thousands of dollars in of prizes in Sunday’s competitor drawing, paddlers with only a few days experience jumped in the beginner competition while expert and professional paddlers Colin Kemp, John McConville and Craig Espisito battled it out for the Title.

With John taking home first place, Craig and Colin are both gunning for him this year along with a slew of others. However, the action isn’t all that’s in store for you down at the Wausau Whitewater Park this August. A variety of vendors from food to boats will be on site as well as a great crowd and a spectator prize drawing will occur on Sunday!

Free camping is available for competitors at Toaster Flats Campground, located a short walk from the river. Friday night you can expect to find Team Pabst at the VFW singing Karaoke and there is likely to be a game of 4 square in the parking lot. This isn’t your typical 4square though…Mike Manger is the man to beat. This version of 4square requires you to play with your feet and he has the skills to knock you out the second you step foot on the court!

So, if you’ve been to Wausau before, we hope to see you again; and if you haven’t, come out and enjoy the fun! A Blues Festival Friday and Saturday night is only a short walk away. Your $45 entry fee provides you with 4 days of water, Lunch Saturday and Sunday, a T-shirt, and a chance to win a New Jackson Kayak of your choice! (shipping not included)

Whether you’re a spectator, beginner, or a Pro, visit http://www.wausauwhitewater.org/MWF.html for more information and to register!

Smolen Nearly Does the Same at Junior World Championships

Hailey Takes the Bronze in France, Taken by Michael Thompson

Foix, France – Hailey Thompson (Stevens Point, Wis.) placed third in Women’s C-1 on Sunday at the 2010 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships. It was the first podium finish by an American in Women’s C-1 in a fully contested international competition. It was the first time Women’s C-1 was featured in the Junior World Championships. A veteran of two World Cup races, Thompson finished 21.23 seconds behind first place finisher Jessica Fox of Australia.

“It was great to see how far Hailey has brought our Women in Canoe and how she competed for a podium spot at the first ever Junior Worlds for the Women in Canoe,” said William Irving, USA Canoe/Kayak National Teams Director.

Two touches and four seconds worth of penalty time proved just enough to keep Michal Smolen (Gastonia, N.C.) off the podium. Smolen finished fourth in the Men’s K-1, less than a second behind third place and less than five seconds from the gold medal. Michal has been preparing for this event at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C. with his father and team coach, Rafal Smolen.

“Michal was fast all week and although he came one place short of a podium performance, he has nothing to hang his head about,” Irving said. “Michal has showed through all of his hard work and training that he has put in, that he is clearly one of the best Junior paddlers in the world.”

Tyler Hinton (Boulder, Colo.) finished 12th in Men’s C-1. Hinton has made huge strides under coach Scott Shipley, an Olympian and World Champion. Missing a gate dropped Caroline Queen (Darnestown, Md.) and Zach Lokken (Durango, Colo.) to 26th in Women’s K-1 and 30th in Men’s C-1, respectively. It was a tough finish for them as both are capable of putting together incredible performances. Lokken ranked second after the first two heats on Friday.

For complete results and video of the Junior World Championships, visit http://www.123result.com/. Visit http://www.foixcanoe2010.com/en/ for more information.

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