20 September 2009

runandjump rules of accommodation

Over the past month we have been traveling around visiting different destinations having booked no accommodation due to lack of funds. This is quick guide for anyone that ever ends up in a similar situation.

Well to start with you need to plan your trip having not booked any accommodation or even researched anywhere to stay, this saves a lot of stress and hassle before your trip.

The rules.
Make sure you begin the evening within a tight social scene, this is good for networking and could lead to a bed for the night. But be careful, over zealous networking could hinder your chances of broaching a deal.
Although gender has an influence on who you talk to during the evening, often the female could take friendly banter the wrong way, you have to explain early on that ' I am not talking to you with an alter motive in mind'.
As time goes on it is important to make head way with these conversations, dropping hints about the fact the campsite was fully booked and how the hotels are very expensive around here.
If you succeed with this technique then that's great, the bed is yours, wonderful.
OK imagine the conversations during the evening fall on deaf ears and a group of people you started with gradually gets smaller as night draws in, this could be a major problem. If this happens it is important to keep your cool, don't panic and start dropping in lines like ' I think I've lost my hotel key
is your room close by' or 'you have amazing eyes and I'd love to stare at you all night'
this will only cause problems for future nights, don't limit your options.
There are a few things you could try, head towards a group of guys you know pretty well and ask if they have room on their floor, you can usually sneak by the front desk and get up to the room. Using a towel as a pillow works well and there is usually a spare sheet kicking around you can use as a duvet.
Option two is find a car park with a grill that blows warm air, you can sleep on this grill to keep warm, it is important to keep your clothes on otherwise you will wake up looking like you've spent the night on a large BBQ.

OK a quick guide on the do's and dont's
Do's
1. Share your time amongst males and females as it is important to keep your options open.

2. Make up a jovial story about the fact you have nowhere to stay, say something like your tent was squashed by a heard of wild cows that had escaped from a near by field.

3. Offer people a round of drinks, this will raise your likeability factor.

4. Get talking about a trip to your country or town, and how they are more than welcome to crash at your place, and you'll take them boating.

5. Talk to as many people as possible and look interested in what they have to say.

Dont's
1. Don't limit your age range, often the elders will take pity on you, and if your lucky they'll also get your breakfast.

2. Don't show off about how the last time you were at Lyon you did the biggest air screw ever!

3. Don't get to drunk, often this will back fire.

4. Don't be to confident, no one likes arrogance. You will never succeed.

5. Don't drop in to many hints about the fact you have nowhere to stay, people will start to figure out what your plan is and once one person finds out it will travel like wild fire.






An example of mediocre accommodation.




18 September 2009

We're here and we're making a mess!

The show is in full flow and everyone is feeling the chilled out vibe. All the exhibitors are pleased with the number of traders and dealers attending the show. The Run and Jump stand is here exhibiting the new clothing line and living the 'Run and Jump Lifestyle'! The new clothes are looking sweet and lots of retailers are commenting on them. Several are placing orders and the brand is going global!

Daily challenges include finding somewhere to stay and encouraging the girls to bring us Mojitos! Each evening there is a party inside the exhibition hall which is something you never see in the UK. Last night the parties were held on various stands giving everyone chance to network... Tonight is the main party which we here is always epic; we will tell you how it goes tomorrow!

P.S not sure where the last 2 blogs went, very odd.






15 September 2009

First stop the Pionteks

So the journey begins with me, Zach and Dave B just making the ferry with 20 minutes before it floated off, good timeing I think.
The long drive across France, Belguim and the Nether Lands, lands us at the house of the Pionteks, a warm welcome from all the family, who then provided us with a huge BBQ and plenty of beer was greatly appreciated.
Jeffrey Piontek works for runandjump as a distributor for the German market, he and his brother Leon also paddle slalom C1 on the German circuit, Leon is the current C1 slalom junior national champion, nice work ;)

Next stop Kanu Messe, fingers crossed we'll get there with the stand still in one piece.













JB :)


12 September 2009

Kanu Messe 2009






Next stop is Kanu Messe in Germany, the biggest canoe and kayak exebition in Europe.
This show is great for buyers; manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers to network and show off their latest products.
I'll be attending representing runandjump clothing, Zach Pillinger has been working night and day to make sure his products and stand is ready to impress. Here are a few samples from the extensive and stylish clothing range brought to you by runandjump.














For more info on runandjump or Kanu Messe follow the links below.

kanumesse

runandjump

Worlds Round Up

This was my fourth world championships, my first was Graz back in 2005, and my hand goes up to all the organizers of this world champs, i think they did a great job.
The event was thrilling from start to finnish, I have never seen so many locals engrossed in watching freestyle kayaking, from the pre lims to the finals the grand stand was a bustling arena of support.
The finals saw the most amazing display of competitive freestyle I have ever seen, the standard was exceptional high.
Well done to all the Team GB competitors and a big congratulations to all our medalists, great job.
Here are the results from the event.




K1 Men
1. Nick Troutman
2. EJ
3. Stephen Wright




K1 Women
1. Emily Jackson
2. Ruth Gorden
3. Tanya Faux





C1
1.Dave Bainbridge
2.Guillaume LaRue
3.Alexandre Besseau





K1 Junior Men
1. Jason Craig
2. Dane Jackson
3. Sebastien Devred





K1 Junior Women
1. Nouria Newman
2. Sandrina Hornhardt
3. Leoni Häberling





OC1
1. Jeremy Laucks
2. Stephan Pätsch
3. Odei Areta





For a full list of results visit http://www.icf-thun2009.ch/

JB

07 September 2009

Dave Bainbridge Wins Gold

Congrats to Dave for winning the gold in C1 at the 2009 world championships.

It was 3 runs best run counts, 5 paddlers battling it out for a place on the podium. Dave was the 4th paddler to go and his score put him in the lead, from then on no other paddler could match his massive score. Clean pan ams and clean back pan ams were the order of the day for Dave, and with that he showed the world why he deserves to be the worlds best.

Good work Dave.








JB :)