Hessian champion in canoe freestyle

Competition 24.09.2023 3 min read FRVS 1898

Jan, Marcello and Nicolo take titles

Our Nicolo becomes Hessian champion in canoe freestyle

Jan, Marcello and Nicolo take titles

Marcello doing a candle (cartwheel)

On the last weekend of September, the canoe freestyle competition „Mühlenrodeo 2023“ took place at the Kanu Club Limburg in the Eisenbahner Sportverein. 2 days full of action for Limburg's young paddlers and those of friendly clubs. According to the organisers there was a participant record of 24 young athletes, two of whom had even travelled from Switzerland.

For us at the FRVS, it was the first time our youth ventured into competition in canoe freestyle.

All the more we can be glad that our debutants, with their tricks – also called moves – were able to convince the jury in this sport, also known as „playboating“, „rodeo“ or quite simply „playboat paddling“.

Lucio doing an undercut

At the Mühlenrodeo, the athletes paddle on the course in Limburg an der Lahn at the Obermühle. Various moves, scored with points by judges, have to be completed within a set time window. To this end, the rules of the International Canoe Federation (ICF) are adapted to the abilities of the younger athletes. So, under appropriate demands, they can get to know a real freestyle atmosphere – a good mood with upbeat music and friendly behaviour between the competitors, with gripping action.

Boris in a good position for the candle

Saturday began with the preparatory training, followed by a skill competition. Each team started in a double kayak, with only the rear paddler equipped with a paddle but, because of a blindfold, dependent on the instructions of the paddle-less person in front. The aim here was to complete the set course in the fastest time. The youngest team won here and prevailed against many old hands.

After some refreshment, the evening wound down with the popular floodlit rodeo.

Lucio doing an undercut in canoe freestyle

Nicolo buries the bow in the stopper wave

Sunday was entirely dedicated to the actual pupils' and youth competition. First the important „riders' meeting“. Here the reigning junior European champion Merle Hauser, as „head judge“, explained the rules to the competitors.

Separated by the various age groups, it was then a matter of presenting the corresponding moves to the jury. Experienced „safety boaters“ ensured a safe competition.

In the U12 age group, our Lucio achieved 5th place. In the U14 age group, our Marcello reached 3rd place.

In the U16 age group, our Nicolo let nothing slip in the stopper wave at the Obermühle and pushed up to 3rd place in the overall standings. He was the best of the several Hessian participants, by which he could be crowned Hessian youth champion in canoe freestyle. Our Jan took 3rd place in the Hessian youth championship.

Since the Mühlenrodeo was an event as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the Hessian Canoe Association, the president of the Hessian Canoe Association, Christian Rose, came to Limburg especially and conducted the awards.

We're delighted and congratulate our graduates!

State politics, too, could experience the positive impressions of enthusiastic young athletes. The CDU state parliamentary group's spokesman on sports policy, Andreas Hofmeister, as well as the member of the state parliament Christian Wendel, visited the athletes at the Obermühle in Limburg and were informed in detail. Even the chairman of the DOSB, Christian Weikert, dropped by the „competition spot“ and gained a good impression of Hessian youth development.

We thank the KLC for hosting this nationwide competition and for the great organisation.

Here are all the results of our participants:

Boris: 6th U14 German Pupils' Cup, 6th U14 Mühlenrodeo category canoe freestyle for pupils and youth, and 9th at the Hessian youth championships (canoe freestyle)