Devon Barker checks in here from the World Surf Kayak Championships Finals...
The USA team had lots of competitors in the Individual finals. Our finals were delayed a day which I was glad as my ribs and stomach muscles were still very sore. The team finals ended with England 1st with the Basque Team in 2nd. It was a really exciting team final to watch as I waited until the next day for Individual Finals.
Jimmy Grossman won his Final in Master’s IC with Wayne Waddington taking fourth in his Grand Master’s IC final. Russ Buskirk and Tom May took 3rd and 4th. I was the second to last heat to go. I ended up 4th in finals! This was my third time making it to finals in the Worlds. I cannot even express how fun it is to surf big waves. Naomi James surfed her way to a World Title during our heat! The level of competition was outstanding and the waves were great. As I surfed in after the buzzer the Basques greeted me on the beach with our flag (my family is Basque) and cheers. The Basques had great Individual finals with Ainhoa Tolosa taking Women’s IC and Urko Otxoa with Men’s title in IC and Edu Etxeberria in second in HP. Luis, who I met at the 05 Worlds, honored the Basques by capturing the World Title in both HP and IC Grand Masters!
With the delay in competition I was not able to make it home on Saturday. I had a rushed flight on Monday as there were no seats left on Sunday, were I left customs without my kayaks as not to miss the last flight home to Idaho. Unfortunately, my father was diagnosed with Kidney cancer, which spread, to his optic nerve the day I was in semi-finals. Sometimes the highs and lows in life have bad timing.
I arrived home 27 hours later to Idaho. The sound of the river and the smell of the forest welcomed me home. My new Jackson Star was waiting for me in my front room. I cannot wait to surf on Cat’s Paw on the Salmon. Below are links to more photos and results. Many thanks to all of you who supported me. I could not have done it without you all! BEST OF LUCK TO TEAM USA AND ALL JK ATHLETES IN THE FREESTYLE WORLDS IN THUN! Devon
Links- http://www.kayaksurf.net/news.html
http://www.photof8.co.uk/
http://portugalks.blogspot.com/search/label/MUNDIAL%2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayaksurf/3787651461/
Kayak surfing rules- I'm glad to see another enthusiastic blogger!
Posted by: Miles | August 24, 2009 at 03:26 PM