6th and last article in our 'worlds series', discover the views of Tao Berman, Bob Campbell, Shannon Carrol and Rob Dixon about the coming freestyle World Championships.

Tao Berman (USA)

My understanding is that the site has been changed from last year so I don't know what it will be like. But I can speculate. Because the river is small, it will probably be a small hole that will be great for linking up a lot of ends.

The paddlers who will do well in each catagory The US Team has always been the team to beat and that's what all the other teams will be shooting for. About half of our team has a really good chance of winning the K1 worlds. But then again there are some really great paddlers from other countrys that also have an excellent chance.

The winning moves: The paddlers that are really going to do well will be the consistent ones. The guys that can go out and have great rides through all the heats. To win you are going to need a lot of variety moves with a lot of technical (cartweels) to get the really high score. If the competitor can get a trophy move that is going to really help.

Bob Campbell (UK)

As it's man made I guess Forest Gump would say " its like a box of chocolates, until you pull the digger out you don't know what your going to get!" However last years site was not as good as we were expecting but that was due to floods not letting them finish off what they wanted to do in time. They have got it finished this year and from what I have seen of it looks cool.

For squirting its not the best site in the world however to be part of that event is more important I feel for the whole sport. As long as we all get a level playing field then I have no gripes! You have to make the best of whatever you have just like everyday boating really.

The paddlers who will do well in each category: This is a hard one! there are so many new good paddlers about that I feel it would be kinda rude to not mention them all and I don't think you have room for that. I think we will see some of the Japanese in some of the finals, I think all the big names will be up there too however its all about doing it on the day!

The winning moves: For the kayaks I think aerials combined with a consistent ride are going to be the high scores. The C1 crew will be throwing stuff down like silly as ever! The women are really getting competitive this year too. Squirting cant tell you that might give all my secrets away!!!!????

As ever my main aim for the world is to do as best as I can for myself and the GB team however another really important part of the World for me is meeting all the paddlers from around the world and seeing the different styles and ideas that are out there. Its really cool. You get to meet some old friend you have not seen for a while and meet some new ones!

Shannon Carroll (USA)

I've been to the Roc Roi Rodeo in Sort, Spain; these are the same folks that are putting on the World Championships. Let me tell you what, this is going to be one exciting, well organized event.

First of all they have a great spot for spectators and they always make sure the hole is top notch! Secondly, they treat the competitors like royalty and have an awesome week of food and parties planned out. The event comes with great music and entertaining announcers. So the rest is up to us, the paddlers. I've seen a picture of the hole and it looks like the winning moves are going to be huge blunts and back stabs on both sides! Not to mention the endless vertical ends to kick up your technical score.

The paddlers to watch are going to be Eric Jackson and Jimmy Blakeney. These men know the game, I believe when they are out there they're racking up their variety score card in their head. They know the routine in which they will execute their moves and they make them very convincing for the judges. The women to watch are Tanya Shuman, Debs Pinniger, and of course I'm going to be the surprise of the whole event. Tanya has been training really hard for at least a year now and she knows how to throw ends with her head underwater (if you know what I mean)! Debs is a strong woman who has been dominating the freestyle scene for some time and she's here to defend her standing title! I've been training hard, under the strict whip of Coach Ben Coleman. Of course everyone knows I'm comfortable on the creek, but I like to get mean in the hole too, very aggressive! So, there's the low down from me, we'll see how it pans out!

Rob Dixon (UK)

I don't believe anybody will retain their title but I would gladly be proved wrong considering 3 titles are currently British.

Boats to watch...

• Prijon Delirious
• Pyranha Sub 7
• Riot Dom's

Paddlers to watch...
Tom the Sprout - C1 (could cause quite an upset as a non regular c1 paddler)
Richard Chrimes - JK1
Mens K1 ? - I think this could be Corran's year but somebody like Steve Fisher or Alex Nicks could also do it.
OC1 unfortunately could go to anybody who made the final as the boats are still quite hard to place accurately and one ender can win a competition! in the Final I would expect to see Brian Miller, Eli Helbert, James Weir and maybe myself if I get the right run when needed.
Squirt Mens - Bob Campbell could be back, but the Americans will be hard to beat.
Squirt Ladies - ?

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