Pacific Paddler June 2014 - (Page 41)

Kaya McTigue Kaya celebrates her win! Kaya McTigue was the only Hawaii athlete selected for the 2014 TEAM USA OLYMPIC HOPES REGATTA held in Piestany, Slovakia on September 6-15. The national team was selected based on rankings after two days of racing on April 25 & 26 in Oklahoma City. According to the National Sprint Development Director of USA Canoe and Kayak, Max Hickox, Kaya and the three Photo by simPLemeDiahaWaii other young women on this team are all first time athletes to compete in Europe for Team USA. Kaya will be joined by paddlers from Oklahoma City (OKC), San Diego (SDKC) and Seattle (SCKC) with the World A Final as their goal. Kaya, who only began the intense WYC ODP training routine in January, won the Jr. Women's K1 500m B final, placing her 10th in the country. In the K1 200m B final, Kaya picked up 5th place. After training at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY and racing against Canada, Kaya will compete with her WYC teammates at the former Olympic Site in Atlanta for National Sprint Championships in August and September, then head over to Slovakia for the Olympic Hopes Regatta. Shelley Oates-Wilding, Program Director of WYC Ikaika Waterman's Program said, "Kaya set her goal to do whatever it takes to get a place on a team at the trials, and then followed through on the plan, trained very hard, and managed her time, schooling and nutrition like a champion. I am thrilled for her success." Coach Shelley said that of the 12 WYC athletes, 10 were taking their first team trials and showed great promise racing up against 10-year veterans of the sport. "This is a great experience to prepare more kids for representation opportunities next year," Shelly said. "These teenage athletes juggle so many things; school, sports and other commitments, making this a fantastic achievement for them at their first national trials experience."All the other coaches including the National Coach were extremely surprised and impressed with not only Hawaii's kids' skill level after such a short time, but also, and importantly, their champion attitudes and manners." While learning first hand how to travel with delays, organize every detail, and prepare their borrowed boats, the crew still raced their best with extremely strong side winds and starting gate malfunctions. All of the young WYC Ikaika athletes gained much from this race experience and showed their preparation is on track. "Congratulations to Kaya, and to all her teammates. This is the first step towards even greater opportunities available through commitment and determination," said Shelly. For USA Sprint Nationals or Summer Waterman's Academy Camps information, contact Coach Shelley at shelley@waikikiyachtclub.com. June 2014 www. pacificpaddler.com 41 https://www.facebook.com/JambaHawaii http://www.jambahawaii.com http://www.pacificpaddler.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler June 2014

Scott Hawaii State Championships
Maui Jim Waterman's Series
Hinano-Kialoa Coastal Relay
Hui Waa: Island to Island
Maui Jim Surfski World Champs
Coach Kevin Mokuahi
6th Annual OluKai Ho'olaule'a
Canada West Coast
Team USA - Kaya McTigue
How to feel your lats

Pacific Paddler June 2014