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Andrew ‘Jacko’ Jackson and Oliver Bunn

If you want to get into freestyle or improve your boating then the Younguns Freestyle Series (YGFS) might be just the ticket. Oliver Bunn tells the story of what they are about and his experiences amazing well. Before we get to that though a quick update on freestyle, which is in an incredible place right now:  

Young gun -Oliver Bunn

• Did you know that at the 2017 world championships, Team GB for the first time ever topped the medal tables. Many of our top athletes started on YGFS, so Oliver’s goal is a real possibility.
• For the first time ever, you can take a British Canoeing coaching course in freestyle!
• This spring, freestyle will recruit and train up 12 coaches to get out there to clubs, events and shows right across the UK. Want to be one of these people or arrange a club or event visit?
• In 2021 the Freestyle World Championships will be right here in Nottingham UK. It will be 30 years since the last worlds held here.

My first freestyle competition – Oliver Bunn aged 10

I’ve always wanted to have a go at freestyle, since watching the grainy VHS videotapes of my dad competing in the early rodeo events, but I had only just learned to roll in the pool, and didn’t have the confidence to try out the tricks on the whitewater in case I fell in.

Some of my friends were telling me about the Younguns competitions, these are a series of events specially created for junior paddlers (aged under 18) and their parents, which happen across the country, where you get to practice in a safe environment and get to paddle with and be coached by some of the GB Freestyle team. These events sounded really fun, and so I convinced my dad to take me to the one of the competitions at the Nene White Water Centre.

When I arrived at the venue, the nice lady taking the entries told me it didn’t matter about how good my rolling was, it’s more about having fun, and there was even a novice category where I could just have a go on an easy part of the course with others who weren’t ready for the main feature.

Before the competition started, there would be a chance for some practice and so I was introduced to one of the coaches, Josh who was going to be teaching me. He reassured me and made me feel much less nervous, I even managed to learn some new tricks! I really enjoyed it and thanks to the great coaching from Josh, I even managed to win the novice category – without swimming either!

This boosted my confidence and so I was determined to practice some more at Cardiff (my local ww course).This was becoming addictive!

When I heard that the next event was in Nottingham and was part of ‘Paddle in the Park’ event, my friends at Croesyceiliog Canoe Club and I hatched a plan to convince our parents to take us, as we would all get to paddle the course together! My confidence was building now, and I even got points for assisting in a rescue!

I didn’t quite manage to get to all of the events last year, but I did get to paddle at some fantastic places thanks to the Younguns Freestyle competitions; Nene Whitewater Centre, Holme Pierrepont, and Boulters Lock. I won some amazing prizes, some just for taking part! I’ve had some great fun, and met many new friends. I missed out on Tryweryn and Hurley last year, however this year I hope to go to all of the events. I’m really excited about going to Hurley, as I can’t wait to go and meet more of the GB Freestyle stars there in March this year!

In a few years’ time, when I’m a little older and have had some more practice, I’m going to go to the World Freestyle Championships and I’m going to win!