Birthdate: March 2, 1998
Hometown: Hammonds Plains, NS
Canoe Club: Maskwa Aquatic Club
Sport: Men’s canoe
Coach: Jon Pike/Andreas Dittmer
RECENT RESULTS:
Canada Games 2017 – C1 5000m Gold Medal
CANAMEX 2016 – C1 1000m Silver, C1 500m Silver, C1 200m Bronze
FOLLOW THIS ATHLETE:
Instagram: @brethimmelman
Twitter: @BretHimmelman
FUN FACTS:
First year on the National Team:
2018
What are you most proud of?
Making this World Cup team
Objectives for the coming years?
Senior Worlds and Olympics 2020
Why was Canoe Kayak?
I joined the sport to get in shape for hockey when I was 15 and fell in love with canoeing.
Canoe or kayak? Why?
My club coaches steered me towards the decision to canoe and said to become a right because the club needed rights.
What is Canoe Kayak’s biggest challenge?
The challenge is starting off as it is intimidating learning the sport because starting off you tip a lot and for canoeing learning to steer is difficult but once you get around those barriers it’s easy to fall in love with the sport
Nickname: Himmer
Role model: Jordan Coyle
Favourite training: Crew boat training
Pre-race meal: Spaghetti with chicken
Post-race meal: Steak and potatoes
Off-season interest(s): Coaching high school hockey, hiking and exploring
Other sport(s): Lacrosse for Saint Mary’s University
Guilty pleasure: Pulled pork poutine
TV show: Trailer Park Boys
Movie: Any of the Rocky movies
Favourite quote: « Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up » – Rocky
![](https://canoekayak.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Bret-Himmelman-400x300.jpg)