After the Freestyle Kayak World Championships, Sort is getting ready to hold the Lulu Love Tour for the third year in a row. This little town nestled in the middle of the Catalan Pyrenees has been the capital of the Tour since 2017 and because of that, women’s participation in kayaking has increased considerably, so it makes sense that the Tour happens once again. #WEAREREADY
1. What can people expect at Lulu Love Tour 2019?
Once again, the tour will be a two-day festival filled with lots of whitewater, fun and prizes. It will kick off on Friday 30th and we have organized several whitewater clinics specially designed for the girls which have no other purpose than offering the opportunity to learn, work and sharpen their kayaking skills.
The Tour will continue on Saturday 31st where the 2nd Noguera Pallaresa Women’s Race will take place in the morning as a Mass Start down the classic section of the Noguera Pallaresa River.
After the race competitors among other paddlers will do a stoke float all the way down to Sort downtown. After the stoke float participants will have the chance to demo some of the latest kayak designs at the Pyranha Kayaks Test Centre at the slalom course in downtown Sort.
After lunch break will get ready for the Open Multi-Sport Race. This race will combine running, swimming in the river and kayaking and it will be open for everyone so both men and women are welcome to enter.
2. What kind of clinics will be offered on this year’s Tour?
We offer 3 kinds of clinics:
The Introduction to Kayaking clinic is aimed for those girls who have only done a little bit of kayaking, or none at all. We’re planning to have different levels so every paddler can learn in a safe and comfortable environment.
The Freestyle clinic will be run by Nuria Fontané (Jr. Freestyle European Champion and multiple Spanish Champion), Cristian Lamiel (Kayak Coach and instructor) and Oriol Colomé (Spanish Freestyle Kayak Team Coach). We’ll have different skill levels in different features so the girls can make the most of their session in the water.
Marc Parra (professional kayaker and vertical works instructor) will be in charge of the Rescue and Rope Skills clinic in which the girls will have the chance to learn several Mechanical Advanced Systems to potentially use in different whitewater rescue scenarios.
3. How are you making this happen? Who’s supporting the Lulu Love Tour?
Although we all love to be out there and support outdoor events just for the fun of it, the truth is that its really nice to get back home with a few extra goodies.
We are honoured and very stoked to be supported by top-notch kayak gear brands so we can give away a bunch of cool prizes and we would like to give a big shout out to Pyranha Kayaks for supporting us on this year’s edition with a very special surprise!
As for the prize money, we will have a few euros for the three fastest paddlers of the Noguera Pallaresa Women’s Race so start training, chicas!!!
4. Why an Open Multisport Race? Where does the idea come from?
This Multisport race is inspired by one of the most popular races in Okere Falls, NZ, called “Champions Race”. This race was actually one of Lou’s favourite races of the season, so it’s just another way to honour her and keep spreading her energy and love for the sport in a pretty fun way.
Sort’s ideal location with the Noguera Pallaresa river cutting right through downtown makes it the perfect venue for this kind of event.
We’ve decided to make it an OPEN race for everyone, not only because this is how the original Kiwi Champions Race was, but also to get the rest of the kayaking community involved and thank them for their unconditional support in every edition of the Tour.
5. Anything else would you like to add about the event?
I’d like to encourage people to come and be part of it! It’s truly a very special festival in which you can feel the energy and the positive vibes in the air.
I also really want to thank all the local community in Sort and everyone who helps make the Tour happen out there; and especially the Kayak Sort crew, Associació Esportiva Pallars, Alberg Escola de Piragüimse and the City Hall from Sort for their endless support to make the sport grow!
