photo:JulienHeon

Athlete Bio Birthdate: Oct 6, 1987 Hometown: Regina, SK Club: Wascana Racing Canoe Club Sport: Women’s Kayak

Thanks for Checking out my website !!! As the domain says, my name is Kia. I kayak for Team Canada and I aspire to represent Canada at the 2012 Olympics in London, England. My Olympic dream came before I even knew what kayaking was. I remember watching the Nagano Olympics, in 1998. The games were happening on the other side of the world. I would wake up in the morning, turn on the television and eagerly wait to hear how our Canadian team had done while I was asleep. The Nagano Olympics were very successful for our Canadian athletes, every day I would hear about the medals that they had won and I would see their smiles and the elation on their faces when CBC would show the medal ceremonies and the interviews afterwards. Shortly after the Olympics, Joan McKusker (a member of the Gold medal winning Sandra Schmirler curling team), came into my elementary school and shared her story with us. Seeing her eyes light up, hearing the passion behind her words, and holding her Olympic medal fostered my Olympic dream! Now, more than a decade later, my life long dream has become my current goal. Before we get to 2012 there is the 2011 racing season which holds lots of tough competitions and plenty of goals that need to be met. So please check back often and join me on the journey to 2012 :)

What is Kayaking? Sprint kayaking is similar to sprint canoeing but can be differentiated pretty easily. In a kayak an individual sits on their bum in a boat that is covered except for where they are sitting and uses a paddle with two blades to take strokes on both sides. In a canoe the individual kneels on one knee and only paddles on one side of the boat. The sport of canoe/kayak is often confused with rowing. These sports are quite different and are very easy to tell apart. One of the biggest differences is the direction, in a canoe or kayak the individual is looking where they are going, so they are moving forwards. In a rowing shell the persons back is facing where they are going, so the are moving backwards. Rowing shells are also much longer than canoes or kayaks and their oars are much, much longer.