It seems to me that both kayaking and canoeing as a competitive sport contributes highly to the the success of Team GB as a whole. Whether it is slalom, downriver racing, polo or freestyle the UK are right up there as one of the big hitters year in and year out. Yet funding to get UK team members out to freestyle competitions to represent our country is lacking.
I think this is wrong. I would say that freestyle kayaking/canoeing is spectator friendly, easy to cover by the media and could potentially be a big TV/media hit.
I wish that Unsponsored could simply take care of it and get all of the team out there, but unfortunately I can’t. Hopefully this post will help a little.
A number of the athletes have created funding pages to assist in the effort of getting funds together for the championships in Argentina this year. If you can please check them out and support if you can.
If there are any other athlete pages I have missed please send me a message and I will update the post accordingly.
Lowri Davies and her fundraiser at mile end mill. Completely hosted by paddlers freely giving time and generous donations from River Active Ltd etc
http://www.facebook.com/events/1585951498123255?__mref=mb
An afternoon and evening of fun and shenanigans, both on and off the water to help raise money towards Lowri Davies representing Great Britain at the World Freestyle Championships out in Argentina.
As an added bonus, Canoe Wales will match all donations! So effectively ALL DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED!
(BTW: If you can’t make this event, but wish to support Lowri, you can buy raffle tickets online via the crowdfunding page http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lowri-davies-gbr – see raffle info below)
The event will include:
-free shuttle from Mile End Mill to Horseshoe Falls (at 3.30pm)
-BBQ
-A mass start Boater-X (beginner and expert categories)
-A just-for-fun silly freestyle (whatever makes the ‘judge’ laugh)
-King / Queen of the Wave
-Music all afternoon / evening
-Raffle with including a half-day coaching session with Lowri top prizes and various other prizes (more to be announced shortly -. keep an eye on this page).
-Social paddling any time 3-8pm
-A sociable evening / party
-Site usage fees included (usually £3pp)
-Free van camping on-site
Thanks Phil. You’re a STAR
Many of my friends are on team GB and I cannot imagine how tough it is to raise these funds, they rely on fundraising and the generosity of others to get them to these types of competitions. Thanks for the great post. Nicky Beeby also has a gofund me page gf.me/u/cdaxhu (not sure if this link works or not)