Google, Starbucks, & Kayaking

America is fascinated by a good system that works. We love Google – type in a word or phrase and thousands of related links are instantly returned to you. We’re enamored with Starbucks for its ability to replicate unique coffee-house experiences anywhere in the world. In flatwater kayaking, the great system belongs to Hungary and its women’s kayak program. A huge pool of talented paddlers producing fabulous results, consistent leadership from a coach who has overseen a program for decades and an incredible tradition of performace that has built an unmatched legacy of women’s kayaking. It’s a system that works better than any other kayaking.

Here in the U.S., our kayaking program has seen some bright people and moments over the past 16 years (the last time we medaled in flatwater,) but “the system” hasn’t been a part of that program. Until yesterday.

At a press conference yesterday here in Oklahoma City, USA Canoe/Kayak marched out seven of its female athletes and two coaches to speak with the media about kayaking and kayak racing. We heard words and phrases like, “Team,” Believe,” “100% behind each other,” and “Dream big.” Such terminology might not be uncommon for a lot of sports teams but these seven women are competing against each other. For positions on the Olympic Team. At the Olympic Trials. Less than 24 hours before the races begin.

This is a new and different look and feel for the program but one that is working. For the past few years, these athletes have been based at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California where they live, train, and race together. They’ve learned, grown, become inspired, and raised standards together too. In short, they’re building a system – a system built on a love for the game of kayaking. It is a system that is positioning one of its athletes, Carrie Johnson, with a serious opportunity to disrupt Hungary’s mission to sweep all of the women’s kayaking events in Beijing this summer.

Both Carrie and Head Coach, Nathan Druce both know that a system like this can’t be built around one person. It’s take a team. But buying into such a system is an irrational choice for an athlete to make. There are certainly better ways to make a living and advance your career than choosing to work hard at kayaking. However, the skills and lessons you take away from such an experience become a permanent part of your life pursuits moving forward in and out of the boat. And you can feel pretty good about contributing to the creation of a kayak program that is on its way to making an entire paddlesports community proud – this summer and beyond.