My goal in sport is to be internationally competitive, ideally to place in the top three at the World Championships, the World Cup, and/or the London Olympics within the next four years. I love the feeling of racing on whitewater, and I cannot emphasize enough how deeply committed I am to competing and training. I know that in order for me to take the steps to being competitive internationally, I need to get the most out of every workout, competition, and season that I am a part of. By pushing my limits through sport, I am learning a lot about myself and the world, and I am also greatly enjoying the process. Some people ask me whether or not I sacrifice anything for this intense sporting lifestyle, but I feel that it would be a sacrifice not to capitalize on the opportunities I have been given. It has always been my priority to be a student the whole way through my career as an athlete. I am currently doing my BSc in Biology at University if Ottawa. The subjects which I enjoy the most are cell biology, physiology, and evolutionary biology. I am looking forward to doing a masters degree in agricultural science or physiology, to participate actively in leading edge research for a better world. This at the same time as developing my skills as a kayak racer and giving my best for Canada on the world stage.
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Biography
Sara’s family frequently took her and her brother Julian on canoe camping trips when they were kids. Sara spent her childhood in the Gatineau hills, exploring the forests, lakes and rivers in their big green canoe. When the National Whitewater Slalom Championships came to Ottawa in 2000, Sara’s parents heard about it on the radio and decided it would be a fun event to check out. Sara and Julian were both intrigued, and both signed up for the novice race on the flatwater gates at the Pumphouse, and managed to flail their way through the gates. Sara was 13 and Julian was 11 at the time. Racing at this Nationals was Jennifer Gratto, Senior National Team member, and owner of a local kayak school. Sara and her brother were enrolled in a summer kayak camp, where they learned the basic strokes and eskimo roll. For the next two years, Julian and Sara paddled local rivers in all kinds of boats, freestyle and slalom. They also took part in local and provincial races with the other young paddlers in their group. When Olympic silver medalist Michal Staniszewski was hired by CanoeKayak Canada as the new National Head Coach, he also created a slalom program for local juniors. Sara and Julian were among the first in this group. With Michal, they began training in earnest for competition, and in 2004, Sara qualified for the national junior team for the first time, and competed in the Junior World Championships in Austria. In 2005, Sara again qualified for the Junior Team, and at the Junior Worlds finished in 11th place.
Over the next few years, Sara continued training and improving in sport, as well as beginning her studies in Biology at the University of Ottawa. Sara had been entirely homeschooled from grade two until her acceptance at the University of Ottawa in 2005. She started at Ottawa U via a program for highschool students in University, and progressed to being accepted into the Biology program. Sara is doing part-time studies now, in order to combine her time with the hectic sport training and travelling schedules.
In 2007, while competing at a pre-Olympic test event in Beijing, Sara flipped during her run and injured her left shoulder. It was a seemingly small injury at the time, but resulted in shoulder surgery later that year. As a result of the injury, Sara was unable to compete in the first Senior World Championships she qualified for, and spent the next eight months in rehab. Sara was determined to come back to competition however, and began training as soon as her shoulder would allow. She began training under the coaching of Olympian James Cartwright, who was newly hired as the Ottawa Club coach. She then won a silver medal at the National Championships in August 2008 at the same time James was competing at the Olympics in Beijing China. Over the next winter, Sara began training at a new level of intensity and commitment, and started collaborating with Steve Roxborough, recently retired National Champ kickboxer, as her strength and conditioning trainer, and sports psychologist. Together, James and Steve helped prepare Sara for Team Trials 2009, where she competed her best yet and qualified again to the Senior National Team. Sara has now just returned from the World Cup Tour in Europe in June and July where her results confirmed her solid base back into world-class competition, and will be competing at Nationals and PanAms in August, and World Championships in September. She has a lot of work to do now in preparation for a winning performance in 2010 the years to come.
For more information:
Athlete email: sarak1wATgmailDOTcom
Michelene Ough
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