Nathan

Burloak Athlete Spotlight

Athlete:  Nate

Age: 16

Program:  High Performance Canoe

When did you start paddling at Burloak?
Six years ago.

How did you get started at Burloak?
My Dad was a paddler for many years and he introduced me to the sport.

What were your first impressions of the club and the sport?
The club is a very inclusive space and a close group of people who support one another. I felt comfortable right away. The sport felt difficult at first because I tipped a lot but it is very rewarding once you learn the technique.

Do you play any other sports?
Yes, I’ve recently finished 11 years of competitive hockey.

How often do you train and what does training look like for you?
I train 2-3 times per day throughout the summer, and during the winter I train 2 times a day although training looks different since we are not on the water.

Do you have to compete, and if so, how often?
I don’t have to compete but I chose to since I love the sport. I compete in about 7 or 8 regattas a year. Regattas are a great way to test your limits and to see friends from across the different clubs.

What do you like about paddling?
It constantly pushes my limits. It’s rewarding to see the gains from training hard.

What is the hardest part of the sport for you, and how do you overcome it?
For me the hardest part of training would be to keep your head up after having a bad day. Not every day is perfect and that’s okay.
The hardest part of racing is managing nerves before the race and being able to clear your mind so that you can follow your race plan.

Do you have to eat anything specific for training as a paddler?
Diet is important because of the volume of training, this is something that I am still working on.

What are your goals for paddling? How are you working to achieve them?
I would like to compete internationally at some point but there is a lot of work to do be tween now and then. 2020 has been a bit of a setback so I am looking forward to the next racing season.

Do you have any favourite memories that stand out?
Making the podium as the underdogs for Men’s 1000m C4 (4 person canoe) at Nationals in Regina in 2019, and going to my first training camp in Florida.

What was the biggest surprise to you about the sport?
It is a highly competitive sport but your competitors become some of your closest friends.

Do you have any advice for someone new to the sport of paddling?
Even though it might seem hard at first, keep trying! You will figure it out and being on the water is an awesome place to be.