The Bendigo Canoe Club continues to develop the skills and confidence of its next wave of junior paddlers.
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Last weekend the BCC juniors were shown the art of whitewater paddling on the tricky waters at Camp Eildon.
The plan for the annual camp was to encourage the paddlers to push themselves to master challenges and overcome fear to build their confidence on the water.
The paddlers are currently in their 10th week of a training program and in the lead up to the whitewater camp were well-trained in basic skills and capsize drills.
"During the weekend they were introduced to the easy part of moving water and were slowly built up to conquering the Eildon wave," BCC coach Tony Misson said.
"They also had the chance to paddle down from the weir wall to the camp, a 3.5km course used for many previous National WW Championships."
During the second day of the camp they tested themselves with a club rapid sprint time trial through the wave.
In the junior girls Isabel Brennan came first, followed by Milla Tzaros and Lainey Pollard.
In the junior boys Jack Gregory was fastest, followed by Luke Creer and then Tim Creer.
Sophie Hughes was named as the most improved in regards to skill development.
Throughout the weekend the primary skills covered included:
- Breaking in and out of currents
- Ferry gliding
- Surfing waves
- How to hit obstacles and not get pinned
- How to read the rapids and take the correct course
- Swimming rapids and self rescue
- Paddling rapids without paddles to help get the feel of the current and using it to your advantage
In total around 70 paddlers attended the weekend and spread across three groups: Juniors with Greg Cowling and James Humphry, river trippers with Garry Brannan.
The final group was for parents, visitors and members who were assisted by Baelea Collins, Ashlee Ilott, Charlie Wardrop and Anthony Ilott.
The BCC's next major event is coming up later this month at the Vic Marathon Championships to be held at Geelong where the club will have active women and junior athletes on the water.
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