CONNOR TARAS - Canoe/Kayak

Medals Medals, Medals and More Medals!

Canoe Kayak Canada recently sent their biggest team ever to the Pan American Championships in Mexico, City.  They sent a junior team, U23 team, and a Sr. Team that consisted of almost 50 athletes. It was a very successful trip with medals in almost every event. Some highlights were CAN FUND recipients Emilie Fournel in the k-1 500m and Kia Byers in the K-1 200m who came home with silver medals and Steven Jorens with a Bronze medal in the k-2 1000m with his partner Angus Mortimer and Adam VanKoeverden with a bronze medal in the K-1 1000m. Racing was very difficult at an altitude of 2240m and not to mention the revenge that Montezuma had on about 50% of the team but all in all the event was lots of fun and a great way to finish off the season. This event was also a qualifying event for the Pan American Games next year in Guadalajara, Mexico which is a qualifier for the 2012 Olympics in London, England. Canada qualified every boat for next year which is another exciting addition to the medal haul! 

Pan American Championships were the end of a long season for the Sprint/Canoe Kayak athletes.  Everyone will go home now for a few weeks.  Some will take 1, 2 and for some people 3 weeks off before we start preparing for next year which will be begin the journey to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England! Wooo! May I also be so inclined to add that CAN FUND has already helped more than half our team kick of that journey to 2012!

Next stop or I guess I can say first stop on the tour for 2011 is Fall Training Camp in our home away from home Indian Harbour Beach, Florida.  I personally am very pumped and know that the whole team is as well for next year.   Look out World because we’re coming!!! 

From your CAN Fund athlete rep for sprint Canoe/Kayak and two time Canadian Athletes Now Fund recipient, as they say in Mexico or maybe it’s just Arnold Schwarzenegger that  says it, Hasta la Vista! Stay tuned for more updates to come!

Connor “Connorbomb” Taras

Sprint Canoe/Kayak