November Newsletter

Freestyle is a USACK Discipline
Freestyle is now a recognized discipline of USACK, having submitted our approved Bylaws and elected officer roster to Chris Hipgrave, USACK Director of High Performance Sport (thanks go to Jeremy Laucks for having prepared these for approval this year!). Chris presented them to the Board of Directors at their recent meeting. Recognition doesn’t change our plans, but DOES allow us to have a voice in USACK governance. Freestyle Committee members will have opportunities to participate as time goes on.

2008 Nationals: after considerable discussion among committee members, we have approached FIBARK organizational leaders to consider hosting the Freestyle Nationals next year. We to work out what our responsibility will be to make this happen, but are optimistic that it will work out.

Key to our success will be an ability to create a strong judging/scribing staff that relieves our dependence on participating athletes. That means we’ll need to 1) recruit qualified, dependable judges and 2) raise the funds to pay them - as we did this year. We may not meet the objective totally this year, but will give it try under the leadership of Matt Solomon and Clay Wright, judging and scoring committee leaders, respectively.


Sincerely,
Risa Shimoda
Chair,
USACK Freestyle Committee

Freestyle Committee Elections results

Election Meeting- Thank you all so much for coming to the meeting at the ASCI in Maryland the weekend of September 28-30th. It is up to us athletes to move our sport forward. Thanks for being part of the movement.

Election Results:

Chair & overseeing Rules Committee- Risa Shimoda
The Chair is responsible for herding the committee cats to meet our goals for the year and representing the committee to USA Canoe and Kayak and the International Freestyle Committee.
Rules Committee- Clay Wright *This committee is to make sure our rules for moves and the point values continue to lead freestyle and move the sport forward.

Vice Chair & overseeing Excel Scoring Committee- Matt Solomon *This committee is charged with developing a grassroots network of event workers (volunteer and paid staff) trained how to use the current scoring system. Matt will work with Kristine Jackson to help train individuals in the program. We need volunteers. At upcoming events we need recruit for those interested in being trained - this is open to all supporters, not just athletes.

Treasurer & overseeing Fundraising Committee- Brian Jennings
*This position will work with USACK and supporters of USA Freestyle Kayak Association to secure funds for team that augments the sponsorship secured by the event planners.

Newsletter/Ranking Editor- Jeremy Laucks & Devon Barker
*This position will update the blogs, website, and send out the newsletter to the list serve.
Events & Program Coordinator- Eleanor Perry & Emily Jackson
*This position will establish the annual schedule of events (some may be sanctioned, some listed for scheduling and travel-planning only) and will provide this information to Newsletter/Ranking Editors so they can inform you of all the upcoming freestyle events.

Athlete Representative- Brian Kirk, Andrew Holcombe, & Morgan Tidd (Jr. Rep.)
*These representatives are your link to the committee. Please talk with them and let them know how you want to help.

Media Contacts- Clay Wright & Andrew Holcombe
*They will field media questions regarding team activities.

Boater Cross & PA Organizer- Corey Volt
*This position will develop boater cross as a companion events at the freestyle competitions, explore how extreme creek racing can partner with freestyle and staff the PA to update all athletes about important information at the events.
Team Manager- to be elected by Freestyle Committee

Websites & Blog
Freestyle Committee Blog
www.usfka.blogspot.com
USA Canoe Kayak website-Freestyle page
http://www.usack.org/Freestyle.aspx

Email- please let everyone know they can join this list serve for email updates from the Freestyle Committee by emailing Devon Barker at devobarker@yahoo.com. We will be informing every one of upcoming events and important information regarding freestyle kayaking in USA.

Freestyle Nationals Results

Amateur Women
1 Paige Teegarden
2 Tracey Kulesa
3 Michele Gasper

Amateur Men
1 Andrew Robinson
2 Chris Lee
3 Chris Poli
4 Chris Wing
5 Horace Holden
6 Noah Sunflower

Junior Women
1 Morgan Tidd
2 Lauren Burress
3 Charlotte Hardie

Junior Men
1 Dane Jackson
2 Michael Palmer
3 Jason Craig
4 Max Lentz
5 Eli Spiegel
6 Daniel Stewart
7 Matthew West
8 David Ruhle
9 Isaac Holden
10 Jonny Cochran
11 Sam Fulbright
12 Nate Garcia
13 Davis Grove
14 Skyler Mavor
15 Chad Skogsdad
16 Ben Hurd
17 Sean Johnson

OC-1 Results
1 Eli Helbert
2 Jeremy Laucks
3 Dooley Tombras

C-1
1 Seth Chapelle
2 Jordan Poffenberger
3 Dane Jackson
4 Jeremy Laucks
5 Thomas Lucier


Womens Pro
1 Emily Jackson
2 Eleanor Perry
3 Tanya Shuman
4 Devon Barker
5 Elaine Campbell


Mens Pro
1 Stephen Wright
2 Eric Jackson
3 Jay Kincaid
4 Andrew Holcombe
5 Bryan Kirk
6 Jared Sieler
7 Clay Wright
8 Brian Jennings
9 Alex Mohn
10 Corey Volt
11 Matt Fithian
12 Adam Johnson
13 David Fusilli
14 Jesse Shimrock
15 David Spiegel
16 Billy Boylan
17 Tino Specht
18 Jeremy Laucks
19 GrahamSieler
20 Billy Malesky
21 Josh Bechtel
22 Aaron Reimer
23 Joe Potoczak
24 Dave Zinn
25 Jake Greenbaum
26 Nathan St. Savious

Womens Boatercross
1 Eleanor Perry
2 Emily Jackson
3 Tanya Shuman

Mens Boatercross
1 Issac Levinson
2 Jesse Shimrock
3 Nick Troutman

Squirt
1 Jeremy Laucks
2 Risa Shimoda
3 Brian Jennings

Video of the event courtesy of Bill Kirby

Register Online to Recieve Early Registration Discount

Registration online for the Nationals before midnight Pacific Time, September 23. Registration online will continue but with higher rates ... until Thursday September 27th at 5 pm Pacific Time.

So register online, and early! www.adventuresportscenter.com

Are You a USACK Member? Why Does it Matter?

US Nationals competitors need to be a member of USA Canoe and Kayak, the governing body for competitive paddlesports and our representative to both the International Canoe Federation (ICF), in turn our sport's representative to the International Olympic Committee.

You can join or renew at http://www.usack.org/Join_USACK_Today.aspx
$55 Adult Bronze Membership (Annual)
$145 Adult Silver Membership (3yrs)

NOTE: You can obtain an Event-Only Membership for $10 (essentially to cover your insurance) when you register online for the competition. We'll make sure USACK gets the $.

To renew or sign-up by fax/mail you can download the Membership Application and Waiver here: http://www.usack.org/Forms.aspx, and if you are a member and you know your membership number you can obtain login information here: http://www.durationinc.com/clients/wwwUSACK/membership/

As a default, you can call Gerald Balbao with membership inquiries: 704-348-4330, ext 225. That should cover it!

Freestylers to Compete for National Honors at New Recirculating Whitewater Course

For Immediate Release

August 21, 2007 Contact

Nancy Beakes (301) 387-3250

Risa Shimoda (301) 502-6548

Event Set to Re-energize a Young Sport as it Reaches for Olympic Status

(McHenry, Maryland) – The US Freestyle Kayak Association and Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) have announced that they are co-producing the National Freestyle Kayaking Championships September 28-29. Located atop Marsh Mountain overlooking Deep Creek Lake, the ASCI course features one-of-a-kind adjustable rapids capable of producing ideal conditions for freestyle kayaking.

“This changes everything about US freestyle competitions,” says professional paddler Brian Jennings. “They can adjust the rapids right before your eyes and tweak them to perfection, so we’ll be seeing athletes performing everything they’ve got, for the very first time.”

“Kayakers and canoeists from across the country will be vying for the prestigious national title in wave surfing,” notes Nancy Beakes, ASCI Events Coordinator. “We will also host a 'Boatercross,' the extremely popular event in which paddlers race head-to-head through our steep, twisting class III-IV rapids. Amateurs are encouraged to participate: they will be judged by the same national caliber judges as the professional athletes.”

“During a break on Saturday competitors and organizers will meet to approve By Laws and elect officers for the Freestyle Committee, now that Freestyle is a recognized International (i.e., Olympic) discipline,” notes Jimmy Blakeney, one of the US Freestyle Kayak Association founders. “Paddlesports is one of our nation’s fastest growing leisure time activities, and whitewater kayaking is its most exciting, youthful aspect. We are very excited about the future!”

Register today at www.adventuresportscenter.com: look for the US Freestyle Nationals link on the left side of your screen. Contact the United States Freestyle Kayak Association at info@usfka.com call Risa Shimoda at 301-502-6548.

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Blackwater Challenge Aug 24-26 2007

The Blackwater Challenge is once again on the calender for August 24-26 2007 in Watertown NY.
For more information, see www.blackwaterchallenge.net

US Freestyle Nationals, Sept 28-29

US Freestyle Nationals will be held Sept 28-29 at Adventure Sports Center International in Deep Creek, MD. See the ASCI website or watch this space for more information