Claire O’Hara aims for top in the ladies World Freestyle Championship 2007

The world freestyle championship 2007 was taking place on the world renowned ‘Greyhound Bus Eater wave’, whose name gives away its awe inspiring credentials, on the Ottawa river in Ontario Canada.

The feature only appears when the river is running high and causes a massive 4-5 metre static wave which gets the pulses racing of the most experienced Kayakers taking part in this competition.

The organisers had a problem getting enough water for the wave to work with water flows 60 % lower than expected after a dry/ low snowfall winter.

Matt Macquire organiser of the world championship faced a massive challenge with 170 athletes arriving from 21 countries unsure if levels would create the world class ‘Buseater wave’ for them to compete on.

He appealed for help to the two major water companies- Ontario Power generator and Hydro Quebec and lucky for him they did respond. After frantic negotiations they agreed to release water from five dams to generate the power that creates the ‘Buseater wave.’ It was no wonder the representatives from both companies received a rapturous applause from the athletes for their efforts at the opening event –they had saved the championship.

‘Buseater wave ‘had arrived but the athletes only had one day to train on the feature.

Claire's training went well although all the team were awed by its power and the complexities of the wave. One mistake or drift too far to the right or left and you were flushed out by a feature locally called the ‘toilet’ and you surfaced after quite a pounding in the down currents 20-30 metres downstream.

The day was glorious with bright sunshine and a cool breeze occasionally breaking though the trees.

To travel to the event was a challenge in itself.

A large Canadian 4x4 transported competitors and spectators through the forest down a dirt road which challenged the off road capabilities of the vehicle. Once at the riverside you transferred to the spectators area by large inflatable powerboats across the face of the rapids getting a glimpse of ‘buseater’ and you were relieved that this was close enough.

On arrival the spectator area was covered with national flags and the hunt was on to find a vantage point on the side of the river crowded with spectators, some perched on narrow ledges others in the trees.

29 competitors were taking part in the World Freestyle women's event from 12 countries .

Claire was set to be the last competitor to take to the water in her heat. Each competitor had 4 runs on the wave lasting 45 seconds with their two best scoring counting to the overall score.

The top ten athletes going forward to the semi finals before being cut to the best five going onto the finals.

Claire completed her runs to the cheers from the GB spectators and did her performance on the big wave.

Getting on the wave was difficult enough as the competitors had to use a rope and pull themselves into position and then release themselves on to the powerful wave and currents.

The results were announced – Claire was joint tenth with Devon Barker U.S.A.

The rules state in the event of a tie the competitor who did the highest scoring move wins the tie which went to Devon Barker.

Claire was therefore placed 11th and just missed out on reaching the semi finals.

Team mates Lynsey Evans and Fiona Jarvie made it into the finals throwing down some massive rides. An exciting finish in the finals saw Ruth Gordon Canada won gold with Tanya Faux Australia silver and Fiona Jarvie GB bronze.

Claire was delighted with her performance placing her eleventh best women’s freestyle kayaker in the world.  She said, "I’m really pleased to have achieved a silver in the women's squirt and 11th in freestyle. Competing on the ‘Buseater’ wave was awesome! Many thanks to all my sponsors, supporters and family. I would also like a special thanks to my coaches Pete Catterall and Ben White and team manager Dave Newport."

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