New program kicks off with inaugural training camp in Montreal

Caroline Brunet works on technique with the Men’s KayakNextGen Training Group (photo: Sylvain Martel)

MONTREAL, QC – The 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games may seem like a long way away but the athletes who will represent Canada at those Games are already in preparation mode. It will be years before the future medalists realize their podium dreams, but a new program is focused on identifying and supporting athletes with the potential to reach international podiums in six to eight years’ time.

CanoeKayak Canada has launched the NextGen Program in partnership with Own the Podium, CanoeKayak Quebec and the Institut National du Sport du québec. Ten athletes have been named to the Quebec training group and this past weekend the program made its first splash as the inaugural NextGen Training Camp took place at the Olympic Basin at Parc Jean Drapeau in Montreal.

Kayaker Pierre-Luc Poulin said the program helps to bring his long-term dream into focus.

“Being part of the NextGen group is a big step toward my dream of making the 2020 podium in Tokyo,” said Poulin, who sees working with leading sport experts and having access to nutritional and mental training resources as a strong contributor to enabling him to be at the top of his game.

Andréanne Langlois paddles at the inaugural NextGen Training Camp at the Olympic Basin on Friday (photo: Sylvain Martel)

Kenna Robins, a National Team Coach and the NextGen lead in Quebec, headed the camp and was joined by several special guests. Three-time Olympic medalist Caroline Brunet worked with athletes at the camp to provide technical and mental advice along with a side dish of inspiration.

Coaches Fred Loyer and Franck Gomez worked with the athletes throughout the weekend along with CanoeKayak Quebec’s Executive Director, Christine Granger. Integrated Support Team members Cristina Pensato, Perry Koziris, and Dr. Emmanuelle Baron complimented the mix with sport science which is a foundational part of the NextGen Program.

Maxim Poulin, who competes in canoe and has similar Olympic dreams to his brother Pierre-Luc, agrees this support is key in setting them up for long term success.

“We had the opportunity to have one of Canada’s best athletes in our sport to help us on technical matters as well as psychological,” said Maxim Poulin. “The NextGen program will help us push our limits by opening doors to many

Maxim Poulin has Olympic dreams and feels the support services of the NextGen Program will be key to setting him up for long term success (photo: Sylvain Martel)

services and we will be surrounded by good coaches and a high quality training environment.”

The program is intertwined with the club system to work with club coaches to gradually transition athletes to the national team environment. For now regular camps will expose the identified athletes to specific training opportunities and will lead to immersion at a National Training Centre in the long term. A similar program to target a NextGen Training Group will soon be rolled out in Atlantic Canada.

Quebec NextGen Training Group

Men’s Kayak

Men’s Canoe

Women’s Kayak

Women’s Canoe

CanoeKayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. The organization’s vision is to be a Canadian sport for families, communities and champions. From supporting clubs to developing a competitive National Team, CanoeKayak Canada works to grow a sport which is a rich part of Canada’s heritage.

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For more information:

Ian Miller
Communications and Marketing Officer, CanoeKayak Canada
613.314.1352
imiller@canoekayak.ca