To a seven-year-old, nothing is more exciting than a water trampoline. It would have been impossible to predict that it would one day lead me to international competition. I was first drawn to the Kamloops Canoe & Kayak Club through its fun summer camp programs, and soon I was hooked – not just on the lake, but on the sport itself. Soon, I was hooked on spending time at the lake, first in a social environment and eventually in a competitive environment. Every day spent practicing or training was another step towards my development as an athlete.
The stage I competed on continued to snowball, from Provincials to Nationals to National Team Trials to Canada Summer Games, and ultimately to the Olympic Hopes Regatta. Despite being a U17 Kayaker, this was my first Olympic Hopes experience. I had narrowly missed qualifying for the team the previous year, which lit a fire in me that persisted throughout the summer, culminating in a gold medal in the U16 K1 1000m. Building on my newly found success, I qualified for the Olympic Hopes team this past June.
This competition forced me into an environment where I was surrounded by people from across the world who share my passion for sport. After a long day of travel, I met up with the team at the Toronto airport and was greeted by my new teammates with smiles. Despite racing side by side, we had never spent much time with each other. This would soon change. After an exhausting red-eye flight, we arrived in Czechia. Once we arrived at the hotel, we were given room assignments where I was paired with my K2 partner, Michael Chaban. Over the next few days, in between practices and almost getting steamrolled by the tram in Prague, the team began to bond. The conversations at dinner got better, the jokes got more entertaining, we became more than teammates – we became friends. Our crews were gelling, and we were ready to race.
The night before our races, our coach set up a call with Team Canada Olympic Medalist Mark de Jonge. His advice for us was simple but valuable. He told us that when advancing to the next level of competition, it is always going to be uncomfortable. He asked us to think back to the first Sprint Nationals we competed in and to remember how that felt. The first Nationals I competed at were in Shawinigan in 2022. I came in as an underdeveloped U14 and walked away with a bronze medal in the K4 1000m as the BC ‘B’ Crew. Don’t count yourself out; you might be faster than you think. Mark continued to say that this is one of the first steps on the path to competing at the Olympic level and that we should enjoy our races because not many athletes are given this opportunity. You already know how to race, go out there and execute.
I remember approaching the start line in my K1 1000m heat with no expectations. No matter how I felt, the race would inevitably come, and even though I didn’t know if I would be ready. The start signal blasted, and the starting blocks dropped into the water. After 200m, my doubts had evaporated; I belonged. I advanced from my heat to a semi-final and eventually to the B-Final, where I finished 13th overall.
Before leaving Kamloops, my teammates told me that racing at Olympic Hopes was the most exciting event they had ever participated in. They were absolutely right. Racing for Canada is a life-changing experience. I came into Hopes with a group of strangers and left with a group of friends. This competition taught me that kayaking isn’t just about racing, it’s also about a shared passion that connects paddlers from coast to coast and continent to continent. In every race, show the world how much you love this sport.
You can help make experiences like this possible for the next generation of Canadian athletes. The Alumni Supporting Athletes Program (ASAP) provides crucial funding for young paddlers attending Olympic Hopes and other key competitions like Junior and U23 Worlds. Your support ensures young paddlers can chase their dreams, gain international experience, and grow both on and off the water.
Donate today to ASAP and help athletes like me reach the next level.
Submitted by Damian Hickey, Kamloops Canoe & Kayak Club
Edited by CKC