I had thought about putting a video application
together for the 2014 WWGP but my computer had different ideas, long story –
not relevant. Instead of a video, how about a couple words and a few photos? I will keep
this short and sweet. I would be stoked to compete in this upcoming White Water
Grand Prix if given the chance. Quebec is my spring time stomping grounds, I
have spent the past 7 spring seasons touring throughout Quebec exploring its
many whitewater gems; steep creeks to giant waves, so I have a certain
connection with the area. That and I love competing on really good whitewater amongst the best paddlers in our sport.
I guess this is the part where I have to tell you how sick
my year was and then try Not to make it sound like I will crush you in the competition if you choose me ... Awkward. ha ha just a quick recap on what I've been up to will have to do.
My 2013 season started in NZ, where I help organize what
feels like a million events over the NZ summer. The great thing about this is, I
also get to compete in them, putting myself up against some super fast
paddlers. We had too many events to recap them all, but I was consistently
in the top 5 and at the end of the summer took 3rd in the over-all
points race of the NZ Extreme Race series. On top of all the race action I also
got to enjoy all the amazing paddling NZ has to offer!
Boofing my way into the finals at the Wairoa Extreme Race
Rolling the lip at Big Brother on the Wainui River
Spring rolled around and with it Stakeout! The Highest of
high waters had us enjoying the big volume and classic big wave features, of
the Ottawa Valley and Lac St.Jean area of Quebec, as they dropped in. The Ottawa XL was another highlight of
the spring. A day of surfing Gladiator !!! Followed by a day of boater X racing
down the very high Ottawa River. Staying consistent through the event I placed
7th over-all, just missing the WWGP selection by 1 point … Arrgh.
Amongst the lead pack dropping into Coli in the Boater X finals
From there I flew to Cali, for a couple weeks of High Sierra
madness! After that I traveled to Norway for 3 weeks of mind-blowing boating
and an epic week at Extreme Sport Veko.
Finding a brief moment of peace and tranquility on the North Fork San Joaquin
Nothing but good ol' Cali steepness
The Light at the end of the Tunnel Chute, Norway
What was left of my Northern Hemisphere summer was spent
back on the warm, playful waters of the Ottawa, kicking back getting my play
boat on.
Garb Wave in full form
As any good athlete will tell you … cross training is key,
so with that in mind I spent a month in Nicaragua surfing my brains out
everyday! I returned, more focused then ever, into another form of cross
training I like to call “Get money – get fit’ which involved 12-14 hr days of
concrete work with the Monkman family.
I am currently sitting in the slightly tropical paradise of Okere Falls, NZ where my average day consists of kayaking, surfing, and down hill mtn biking… you know the daily grind of trying to become the best athlete I possibly can so that I can take out the competition at the up coming WWGP.
I am currently sitting in the slightly tropical paradise of Okere Falls, NZ where my average day consists of kayaking, surfing, and down hill mtn biking… you know the daily grind of trying to become the best athlete I possibly can so that I can take out the competition at the up coming WWGP.
Regardless, the stoke is high and I will see you all there.
Chur chur,
Tyler Fox
