Wow this is long overdue... where to start is probably the best question. Well I guess the first thing worth saying is 2008 was quite the year, and that is a grand understatement. It is so hard to really capture how awesome the entire experience was, but I will certainly make an attempt a la blog.
Firstly, the Olympics were obviously tremendous, and hilariously cool to be a part of. It was so surreal to think of the company that we were sharing while in Beijing, and I think I can honestly say I made the very most of the experience. When it comes to the racing, I am happy to say I was 100% satisfied with how we performed. I spoke at Cavalier Jr. High School recently to 150 kids, and one of the things that came up was the idea of teamwork in the C-2 events. The honest answer is the C-2 epitomizes
the need for teamwork. The two partners work together to transfer all efforts into a synchronized rhythm that moves the boat, and I am fortunate to have one of the best partners in the world behind me. The cool thing is Gab is incredibly consistent to the point that I simply know each and every race that he'll step up to whatever possible level and stroke I am able to set. It's a pretty re-assuring feeling overall.
The 500m race stands out because I think it was a real stepping stone and breakthrough for Gab and I as a crew. I think racing at the highest level, this was the first time we really attacked a race, and we no longer simply tried to stay in the game. This will hopefully be the new and more confident approach we'll apply to future races. I have been given plenty of unfortunate visual reminders of that post-race pain, thanks to the keen eyes of the media. The hand over the heart "death shot" has earned me more jokes than I thought possible. I guess I was kind of asking for it, when I brought out my best thespian work in the biggest possible forum... joking, it took me hours before my head began to stop ringing.
This brings us to nationals, and where better to have such a prestigious event, than on the best natural course in the world. You know it baby... viva Dartmouth! With beautiful weather, and efficient start times, nationals was an awesome experience. Highlight for me had to be the Junior Men's War Canoe race, in which the ever dear to my heart Banook Canoe Club was victorious. In the end, Burloak ended with another overall burgee, and I think pretty much everyone had smiling faces. How's that for a cliche? Another really fun part of the nationals experience was having so many younger paddlers come up to say hi, and get a piece of paddling memorabilia signed. Made me feel pretty excited to think I was that kid many years back, thrusting a t-shirt up to Steve Giles and Larry Cain.
After nationals a little down time was had before heading to the big city for the growing annual Mazda Knockout. Great event. Richard "I'm getting my rest and eating right" Dalton came through with a big victory to remain the only ever C-1 victor in the Knockout. I had an amazing time start to finish, kudos to Mazda for another great close to the season. It was especially cool to race with Canadian Canoe Team friends Andreas Dittmer and Mathieu Goubel. I have to say though, the highlight was the re-union of C4C again on the water, pumping in the strokes to claim victory in the open men's C-4 race. Big ups to the engine room in that boat, Mark Oldershaw, Gabriel Beauchesne-Sevigny and Ian Mortimer. Special thanks to my dear friends Scott Brady et al who came to cheer borderline too loud for my 5th place finish in C-1 200m.
I guess that brings us to the popular "what's up for the future" question. Well, funny you should ask, or I should pose the question in hopes my imaginary fan club will materialize. Well, excitement is on horizon, I am slated to take part in the famous cross ocean race... Molokai in Hawaii. Can't wait, I kind of had to pinch myself on the offer... how can you turn down Hawaii... seriously, it's not possible.
Anyway, before I close this lengthy jumble of mismatched thoughts, I'd like to hone in on my inner sports fan. Being a way too knowledgeable fan of various pro sports, I am akin with a brain full of needless statistics. I also like to draw up unnecessary lists. Thus without further adieu, I give you the aruss 2007/08 lists. Please don't execute the messenger I merely offer my opinion on the greats of the 2007/08 season.
Top Ten Amusing Moments (I apologize for the predominance of the game of golf, but what can you do, it's a popular past time):
10) Coach Tamas Buday Sr. swinging off the Tarzan rope in Ottawa and yelling in traditional Tarzan fashion.
9) Gab eating nearly three full breakfasts at Cora's after a workout in Nova Scotia.
8) Pretty much every time C4C went out in C-4 during our Florida training camps.
7) Me drawing up an amazing NCAA final four bracket only to finish in an incredibly embarrassing fashion, while Emilie Fournel chose every team based on team mascot. Goes to show you my overuse of every sports website imaginable is perhaps unnecessary... I said perhaps.
6) Gab's Haircut.
5) Pellini maintaining the belief that he possesses enough ten trick skill to de-throne any member of C4C from their respective stranglehold on the top 4 world rankings.
4) Mark Oldershaw playing off my incredible fear of snakes, by jumping out of the bushes during a round of 18 when we had been warned of a giant rattle snake on the premises.
3) Gab gearing up to take a golf swing and almost accidentally stepping on an enormous alligator.
2) Yak for a Stack. Not a lot else needs to be said, but giant potato shooting tanks, and life sized giraffe costumes are hard to beat. Drag unfortunately overdone.
1) The impromptu golf over the pond challenge. For those familiar with the Pines resort and those not, there is a large field in the middle of the layout, that is home to a murky watered pond that houses small gators and God knows what else. One afternoon all of the canoe team members congregated on a Saturday to come up with a messy game called closest to the distant palm tree. Each person took a shot over said pond in hope of sticking it close to the palm, however, the catch was if you put it in the drink, you had to cross the pond. Needless to say, everybody took a turn in the smelly water. Good times.
Top 10 Meals/ Eats
10) Seafood Risotto (my staple meal to cook during Florida training camp)
9) Post Olympic Racing McDonald's
8) Canada House
7) POW (pick a day it was all bang on)
6) The Baron van Koeverden's pan seared tuna
5) Great Wall meal for 4 consumed by two in Halifax during training camp
4) Frank and Edith's annual gala in Florida
3) Csom's Hungarian feast (won't attempt spellings)
2) Pretty much any meal at the Montreal Hotel Marriot
1) Connie Lee's fried chicken and caesar salad- Ian Mortimer's bday feast. Top notch, and enough to feed everyone three times over.
Top Five Racing Moments
5) Mazda Knockout C4C victory
4) Junior Men's War Canoe victory at Nationals
3) Szeged World Cup, winning our entry into Beijing
2) Montreal Pan Am Qualifiers (this was so cool to race at because of the people there)
1) The Olympics (this was a pretty safe bet if you wagered before reading)
Why I insist on closing my eyes at the start of each stroke I have no idea. At least I get help from Jack Nicholson circa The Shining behind me looking seriously menacing.
Anyway, of note lately, I just dropped the puck at the Mooseheads game and had a grand time, and I also have been spoiled rotten playing some great golf. Enough though, I have been writing self-indulgent blabber way too long, thanks for reading, as always keep it real, and I am excited for the upcoming season.
All the best.
Andrew
ps. special thanks to my friends in NZ for the necklace, I have been wearing it all the time for good fortune and safe passage.