We’re equal parts fond and supportive of our sponsored athletes here at Modere, and when it comes to being an all-round nice guy and inspiring competitor, it’s as hard for us to go past kayaker Glenn Rypp. Glenn dropped by to let us know how his season has gone so far, and what’s ahead.
About 7 weeks ago I competed at a local board and ski event #2 at Christies Beach. Here I won both the rounds of the open single ski as well as winning the three short course races in my open single ski.
The following weekend we had a local kayak regatta at West Lakes and my results were unfortunately all over the place due to unexpected events. In the first race I broke the seat in my K1, the second race I clean snapped my paddle and then the third race I had a new paddle and it wasn’t set up correctly so I came 2nd in the K2 1000m. This wasn’t an ideal event but at least it happened now and not at a trials event.
Two weeks later I competed in the first state carnival for surf lifesaving at Southport. This carnival was one where the aim was to compete in every event possible for fitness. I still walked away with the win in the open single ski and a big bag of mixed results for the rest of the events.
The weekend following that I competed in a state kayak regatta at West Lakes. I won the K1 1000m, third K1 200m and second in the K2 200m.
I competed at the Holdfast Bay sprint race as well where I won the Open K1 knockout event.
I then attended the second state carnival held in Robe. This was a great event as there was some awesome racing conditions with 2-3 foot surf. Here I raced in a select few events and I won the open single ski, third in the open ski relay, fifth in the open board race and third in the open board relay.
I also recently competed in the first national race of the kayak season. This event was unfortunately not the results I was after but I was 3rd K1 500m, 3rd K4 1000m, 6th K2 1000m and 6th K2 500m.
I am now full steam ahead with my training as I finished my last exam about 2 weeks ago. I now have about 10 weeks to the next national kayak event.
Some of the up and coming events I will hopefully be attending are:
Saturday 26 December – Holdfast Bay Sports Festival (K1 Event), SA
Friday, 8 January – Interstate Championships (State Team only), Victoria
Saturday, 9 January – Jim Wall – Summer of Surf Event, Victoria
Sunday, 10 January – Full Surf carnival at Fairhaven, Victoria
Saturday, 16 January – SA State Kayak Regatta
Sunday, 24 January – State Surf Carnival #4, SA
Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 January – SA State Kayak Championships
Friday 12 – Sunday 14 February – National Kayaking Event #2 (First Olympic Selection Event)
Sunday, 21 February – State Surf Carnival #5, SA
Wednesday, 2 – Sunday, 6 March – Australian Sprint Kayak National Championships, Perth (Olympic Selection Event 2)
Saturday, 19 – Sunday, 20 March – SA Surf Life Saving State Championships
The dates aren’t locked in, but there’s also the National Marathon Championships as well as Aussies Surf Life Saving.
This list is subject to change and there might be some added events or some taken away but for the most part this is what I will be racing.
Thanks again for the continued support, I will try keep you posted as I finish up at events!