Kim
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Burloak Athlete Spotlight
Athlete: Kim Stephen
Program: Masters, canoe
When did you start paddling at Burloak?
I'm heading into my 24th season!!
How did you get started at Burloak?
Way back in 1998, I was looking to get into another competitive sport... this time a warmer sport as opposed to spending all my time in arenas, like I did in high school on the competitive Burlington Ice Image Precision Skating team. I had looked into rowing... but their practices were in the wee hours of the morning - which wasn't too appealing at the time. I then found the canoe club which combined the physical activity, competitive opportunity and social atmosphere I was looking for!
What were your first impressions of the club and the sport?
First impressions of the club: Just Cool! I remember walking through the boat house for the first time and looking at all the boats, in particular the War Canoe, and thinking how cool it was that I would get to paddle them (ok, 23 yrs later and still never been in the IC4... lol). The Masters group was a real eclectic group, and still is, which is one of the characteristics that has always appealed to me.
First impressions of paddling: I can't believe how much balance it takes!! Like any 'newbie' who comes down thinking they know how to paddle a canoe, I had grown up pleasure canoeing on camping trips. So I was definitely put in my place when I found out I had to kneel on ONE KNEE IN A LUNGE POSITION... on a little cushion... and KEEP IN STROKE... and DON'T TOUCH THE GUNNELS if you lose your balance!
What was the biggest surprise to you about the sport of paddling?
The first year I paddled I didn't attend CanMas (Canadian Masters). The second year, in 1999, Nationals was in Ottawa and that's when I realized how huge the sport was in Canada. Until then, I didn't realize how many youth and Masters the sport attracted. It was quite an exhilarating experience and has kept me coming back each year.
How often do you train and what does training look like for you?
I train with the Masters group pretty much every time slot the club offers. In the summer this is typically 5-6 times per week, and in the winter 3 times a week. I also enjoy yoga, cycling, and cross country skiing and snowshoeing when not on the water or lifting weights.
Do you have to compete, and if so, how often?
Over the years the number of regattas that contain Masters races have sadly decreased, so I do try to get to most of them, including Canmas. In all my years I have only missed 2 Canmas regattas.
What is the hardest part of training or racing and how do you overcome it?
THE C1 (one person canoe) START!!! ... and I haven't overcome it... maybe this is my year...
What do you like about paddling?
I love the oasis of 16 Mile Creek! You get to leave your work day behind and focus on the workout, working as a team to beat the other crew (let's face it, if two or more boats are on the water it's a race). Then socializing with friends over spaghetti and a 'beverage'... what could be better than that?
Do you have any favourite memories that stand out?
This sport, this club, and these paddlers I call friends have enriched my life over the last 23 years with many a good time... although I can't recall some of the racing moments as precisely as Glen or Barry...
- #1 meeting my husband Drew Stephen who helped coach the Masters at the time.
- For many many years, Drew was the National Canmas Coordinator. I remember the fax machine in his basement going nuts when all the entries would be sent in. Then began the task of deciphering the hand writing and entering them in the computer—what a task! Coaches definitely have worse hand writing than doctors!
- The many Friday night excursions to dance clubs on the weekend of Canmas... against coaches orders to get a good nights sleep.
- Pre-Canmas 'bonding' dinners and all the sketchy Canmas hotels/motels that have fuelled our stories over the years.
- The races that were and the races that weren't... if the course had been 10m more we would have had them!
- Our ladies C4 crew... especially that crazy race in Dartmouth when the black storm clouds and extreme wind rolled in and blew us down the course... that was one fast race!!
- Years spent strategizing for the perfect glide and race pace with my C2 partner Natalie.
- Going up and down 16 Mile Creek with a bunch of friends, rain or shine, sweltering hot or finger numbing cold.
What has the club and program meant to you during COVID-19?
I've never had so much C1 time as this past year! No complaints though, we were just glad to be on the water. A crazy group of us have been working out outside all winter long with an amazing selection of great playlists to keep us motivated—those cold spring War Canoe practices will be a piece of cake when things get back to normal! A few cross country ski/snowshoe outings and lots of long walks have made for a well rounded winter.
Thank goodness the Club managed to rise to the challenge of COVID-19!! The 2020 Masters program provided a core group of us who paddle single boats a reason to celebrate! Paddling was a welcome break from a full day of WebEx meetings and the general uncertainty that swirled around us beyond the club bounds.
Despite not being able to play in the crew boats, the coaches planned and executed a terrific summer program that challenged us physically and also gave us the social sustenance we so craved.
I’m looking forward to another great year of paddling with my friends!!
