::ALOHA BABY::

I'm on the Hawaiian island of Maui training with some super-fit triathletes, really hoping it's contagious. Pictured above (L 2 R), pre-ride is Kyle "500 Watts" Jones, Jordan "salt 'n vinegah" Rapp, me: Adam "ass-over-teacup" van Koeverden, Andrew "the beastly barista" McCartney, Jeff "big in Penticton" Symonds, Lauren "the climber" Groves, and Sarah "star-spangled" Groff. Not pictured above is Simon "I heart Edmonton" Whitfield, who will be back tomorrow, Joel "the coach, don't piss him off with any stupid nicknames" Filliol, and of course the "Diaper Duo" Jennie and PK. Today's training was a morning swim and a noon-time ride of about 3h20min, the last 40min of which was a 1500 ft ascent in 30min with a wicked 50kph+ descent in like 6minutes. Yesterday was an all-three sports day, with a great am swim, a quick 70min run in the cane fields with Lauren, and a quick but death-defying ride in the early afternoon. Thanks to Salt 'n Vinegah for my new turquoise tire, and thanks especially to the visually impaired green-bmw lady in Haiku for not making this a one day camp for a few of us, (but coming damn close). I'm really stoked about our three weeks here, excited to get out on the Surfski a bit while I'm here, and truly honoured and humbled by all the wicked tri-folks I have the pleasure of punishing myself with for the rest of the month. Check back for uncharacteristically regular vankayak.com updates and news, and hopefully some awesome photos...
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