OTTAWA – Canoe Kayak Canada is delighted to announce the 2022 recipients of the Club Development Award and Coach Developer Award. The awards are presented on an annual basis to coaches and club leaders who have made significant achievements in their communities. This year, 16 coaches were nominated and the winners of this year’s awards were announced during the 2022 CKC Annual Summit.

“Coaches and club leaders across Canada are an instrumental part of the success of our sport and make an impact in the lives of our athletes and our sport system each and every day,” said James Cartwright, Senior Manager of High Performance and Coach Development. “We’re proud to recognize all of this year’s nominees. Taking time to formally recognize the accomplishments of our great coaches goes a long way to say thank you and to recognize the impact these individuals have in within paddling community.”

CKC Club Development Award

The Club Development Award is presented annually to a coach, club leader or volunteer who has clearly demonstrated his or her abilities at developing a club or the sport through grassroots programs such as creating a new club or program or promoting the sport through the club.

Jessica Riley has had a tremendous impact on both her community and the sport of Canoe Kayak. Jessica’s commitment to her programs have garnered growth and excellence at Yorktown Canoe and Kayak Club.

Through Jessica’s commitment, Yorkton Canoe and Kayak Club is a thriving community-based club that has regained its foothold as a training facility with high performance athletes who train year around. By developing and coaching a diverse range of competitive, recreational, and adaptive programs, Jessica has rebuilt the membership into a club that enrols over 500 people in programs annually.

CKC Coach Developer Award

The Coach Developer Award is presented to a coach who contributes to the training of new Canoe Kayak coaches outside of, or in addition to their regular coaching duties.

Jerome Seremak is an incredible force in coaching at the Manitoba Canoe and Kayak Club. He is described by many as one of the most motivating, caring, and hard-working coaches in the community. With a deep passion for paddling, he not only aids in athlete progression but truly cares for each athlete he leads.

Patrick Lester is a mentor and leader in the Ontario Coaching community serving various roles on the CKO Sprint High Performance Committee, as the Eastern Ontario Divisional Coaching Representative, as a 2022 Canada Games Coach and an integral part of Carleton Place Canoe Club (CPCC).

As a coach, Pat inspires all athletes, young and young at heart at Carleton Place Canoe Club. He believes in his athletes and cares about them both professionally and personally. From the parents on the shoreline watching their children to those on the water, Pat has made CPCC a second home for all

2022 Canoe Kayak Canada Excellence Nominees:

Sébastien BETTEZ – CANOE KAYAK TROIS-RIVIÈRES

Laura CLEMENHAGEN – COLLINGWOOD PADDLING CLUB

Lori DAVIS  – ROCKY CANOE CLUB

Kim GAUDET – BANOOK CANOE CLUB

Peter HODGSON – COLLINGWOOD PADDLING CLUB

Jeff HOUSER  – PISIQUID CANOE CLUB

Patrick LESTER  – CARLETON PLACE CANOE CLUB

Kevin McINTYRE – BANOOK CANOE CLUB

Jessica RILEY – YORKTON CANOE AND KAYAK CLUB

Graham SCHIEBEL – CALGARY CANOE CLUB

Angie SCHRODERUS – ROCKY CANOE CLUB

Jerome SEREMAK -MANITOBA CANOE AND KAYAK CLUB

François St.AUBIN -WHITEWATER ONTARIO

Katy STEWART – RICHMOND HILL CANOE CLUB

Savannah SULLIVAN – MASKWA AQUATIC CLUB

Robin THOMSON – ATLANTIC DIVISION CANOE KAYAK CANADA

CKC congratulates all who were nominated and to the 2022 recipients. For more information on the CKC Excellence Awards please click here.