Page 4 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 138

4 Issue #138 July 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

Zachary Zwanenburg Places 4th at the Canoe

Freestyle World Cup in Germany

the first time in ten years at an
By Christine Ouellet
international event, placing 28th.

his year, the Canoe/Kayak “Considering I haven’t done K1
TFreestyle World Cup was in a decade, I’m pleased with the
held in Plattling, Germany, a result,” he commented.
small Bavarian town on the Isar Though the competition only
River. Zachary Zwanenburg, who takes place on a small 10-meter
competed in both canoe and kayak section on the river’s left bank, the
classes, expressed satisfaction with unique wave known as the Isarwelle
his performance at this world-class spans the full width of the mighty
event, which drew about 300 of Isar River, that flows through the
the world’s best paddlers. Among heart of Bavaria.
the Canadian team, he was the top The World Cup is a series of
performer.
two to three competitions, with at
“In Plattling, I competed in least one held at the location of the
Open Canoe (OCX), which is my next year’s World Championships.
main discipline, and I managed to The World Cup is slightly different
place 4th overall.” Zwanenburg from a World Championship; “It
also competed in Kayak (K1) for is more open” explains Zach, “As

Making
memories Photo @rhauser_sportphotografie on Instagram

since 1955 long as they are approved by their Zwanenburg also touched

national federation, anyone with on the qualification process for
the skills can compete at the World the World Championships: “To
Cup while you need to qualify for compete in the Championships,
the National Team to compete at the some qualifications are required to
World Championships.” The World be on the national team. Pre-trials
Championships happen every two for the next two years are coming
years, with the World Cup occurring up in July in Valleyfield, which
in between, and each event is will determine team selection for
typically shorter than the weeklong next year’s World Championships,
World Championships. “This year’s though final results won’t be known
event was a unique one” elaborates until October.”
Zach, “we were supposed to While in Europe, he picked
compete on two separate features, up his new kayak from Vajda, a
but due to water levels, both were manufacturer in Europe. “I ordered
held on the same feature and due it before leaving and picked it up

☛ to heavy rain causing severe flash while I was there,” he explained.

☛
flooding throughout Bavaria, the
“It was my first competition with

second event had to be cancelled
midway through.”
Continued on page 43