PENRITH, AUSTRALIA – It may be winter in Canada but that’s not keeping eleven Canadian canoe slalom off the water. The team has travelled to the other side of the planet to seek out hotly contested competition in the early part of 2015. After a bit of training in New Zealand and Australia the team is gearing up for the Australian Open. The annual competition starts Thursday and runs through until Sunday. The course in Penrith was home to the canoe slalom venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and has been a popular training site for the Canadian Team.
Headlining the Canadian delegation is a trio of Men’s K1 athletes including Ben Hayward, David Ford and Michael Tayler. Hayward was Canada’s top international performer last year and made finals at two ICF World Cups. Ford is a five-time Olympian and has a leading attendance record at the Australian Olympian. Michael Tayler is a 2012 Olympian. Up-and-comers Adrian Cole and Ryley Penner will also compete in Men’s K1.
Brothers Cameron and Liam Smedley will both take to the water in Men’s C1. Liam Smedley made a bold return to competition after shoulder surgery last week as he won the New Zealand Open. Several Canadians competed in New Zealand but competition is sure to ramp up even more in Australia. Haley Daniels will represent Canada in the Women’s C1. Jessica Groeneveld, Thea Froehlich and Jazmyne Denhollander will compete in the Women’s K1.
Competing Athletes
Men’s K1
Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB)
David Ford (Edmonton, AB)
Michael Tayler (Ottawa, ON)
Adrian Cole (Calgary, AB)
Ryley Penner (Lundbreck, AB)
Women’s K1
Jessica Groeneveld (Innisfail, AB)
Thea Froehlich (Ottawa, ON)
Jazmyne Denhollander (Chilliwack, BC)
Men’s C1
Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Liam Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Women’s C1
Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)
CanoeKayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. The organization’s vision is to be a Canadian sport for families, communities and champions. From supporting clubs to developing a competitive National Team, CanoeKayak Canada works to grow a sport which is a rich part of Canada’s heritage.
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For more information, contact:
Ian Miller
Communications and Marketing Officer, CanoeKayak Canada
613.314.1352
imiller@canoekayak.ca