‘Random’ question that unlocked Olympic-sized secrets for kayakers

Olympian Alyce Wood is back to deliver her unique views on the sports world in Paddling to the Podium. SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE

IT takes a village to raise a child, and the same goes for any athlete.

It’s well documented that all sportspeople are heavily reliant on the support of teammates, friends, family and staff members but there’s a group of people that go completely unnoticed on the road to sporting glory.

You and your fellow Gold Coasters.

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No, this isn’t me trying to boost your ego in order to build a bigger following for our sport. This is me genuinely wanting to say thank you, and to some, sorry.

Firstly, a virtual round of applause must go to Brian Peters and his team at the Gold Coast City Council after fielding a very random inquiry from us.

Gold Coast kayaking group paddling in the canals. Picture: SUPPLIED

If you’ve ever paddled through the canal system at Mermaid Waters, you will understand that when the tide and weir are both flowing it can turn from a flat water canal into a white-water course instantaneously, which can be pretty dicey for a sprint kayaker, albeit entertaining for any onlookers.

After being put in contact with Brian, he has done everything he can to come up with a simple solution that allows us to have calmer water at certain parts of the day while also ensuring residents aren’t negatively impacted.

The specifics go completely over my head but it’s safe to say he and his team are engineering genii.

Gold Coast kayaker Cat McArthur paddling early in the morning. Picture: SUPPLIED

Speaking of residents on the canal system, they need some type of medal for putting up with our squawking coaches at ungodly hours of the morning. I wouldn’t be surprised if their nightmares regularly feature kayak related quotes, because I know mine often do.

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Then there’s the fishermen along the canals who regularly catch winners they can’t keep, and by that I mean us, not actual fish. In fact, we paddle into their lines and crab pots so often that I’m beginning to think our boats are magnetised to them.

Miami Tennis Club also do their bit to support our endeavours. Every tennis ball that rolls into the canal is scooped up and repurposed into a resistance strap which we use for on water strength training. I’m unsure if I should be apologising for not returning them, or thanking them for their contribution?

Women's kayaking training group paddling past the Gold Coast casino. Picture: SUPPLIED

An apology must also be extended to every recreational paddler who cops the wash of our coaches motor boat every time we paddle past. As if it isn’t already hard enough to remain upright while a wave of water engulfs your boat, I’m sure the thought of sharks lurking beneath the surface makes the ordeal even more confronting.

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So whether you’re a resident on the canal system, a council worker, or simply a patron at a coffee shop sitting next to a table full of loud kayakers, we want to say thank you for being so supportive and encouraging but above all, tolerant. We are forever indebted to you.