Excitement's building

I love paddling! The feeling of being in control in such a dynamic environment is hard to beat. I missed it so much when I was sick for over a week. I am so happy to be on the white water again. However, the break was valuable. It gave me the opportunity to prepare for the new and exciting challenges that are unique to the Olympics.

I caught up with Robin Bell last week to try and absorb some wisdom from Australia’s most successful Canoe Slalom athlete. Rob had just become a father, for the second time, so I really have to thank him and Julia, his wife, for allowing him to come down and help me with my preparation. I took so much away from that night. Some advice was race related, and some was aimed to preserve energy and sanity in the chaos of the Olympics. Thanks Rob!

One of the more amusing side projects was the Olympic Committee photo shoot. I find it challenging to look serious at the best of times. Add a photographer instructing me to squint, open my mouth slightly and drop my left shoulder so I look, “more natural,” and the result is hilarious. There are some really nice photos, but I think the process put me off. It was a relief to get back in the boat!

One more week before our next training camp in London, and then the start of the World Cup tour. There is still allot of work to do, but I am so happy to be healthy and back in the boat, doing what I love!

Check out the link below to see the photo shoot!

http://www.gettyimages.com.au/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAOy9B2AcSZYlJi9tynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91et79-79Hr9Wtv51zxbZRf5r_hq_xq_xmP7_G02zZZWnTZmV1eLXHOFjeX7tL8_P7R_04JugMX_yP_2m236jX8O8_2smdVW1L7M6WzS_tn72a-H_uzv49Tcz7X93_PMb0_9_vXevr5vTdwbGr-n9ze9mFplfU38HuF87O59alM0f-D_6_DV3uMdF695ctL-W_v5b_BoWGf71Pv_66xCI0ja3fwHar0t_1AvbWfjnr4_mu_jr1-PPJxZG529-7TyEYv9kKDsWynkHivubX6tDKPZPhrJnodQdKO5volduXvo18YeZKCbeLn77DU1bTBFTnGiSr8ynvyb_ZWD8JvhkjwHkk8a2MX_wZOQOG-_3Xyt3zb3ff-1mtbKf4w_T029lX7ycuhfd779OVXusZP_irya5_5X5C8-vPbtamt9_TfPHr4P_N2tvPMFfv3aeOQz8P-j3lf-F_ePXbQJo4Z-_9rtnz92U0B_2i6z2cPP--I2aabXKn6yXs9IjYvCpAfjjgPNg5z5-_3WIm9a2efDXrzOv5Q-hEP4yED7-NSA0n-JX4hcnV_4fv96L_Cpv2v8nAAD__3NRsHxzBAAA&rid=144124182&rcat=Event&rt=AUS%3A+Australian+Canoe+Slalom+Portrait+Session