Before I was old enough to make the U.S. team, my dad made a bet with me: If I placed first or second at Junior Team trials, I could go to Europe and compete in the Junior World Cup races. At age 12, I won the bet, and we spent the summer training and racing in Germany, Slovenia, and Austria. I was hooked on canoe slalom—and on traveling the world. I started to chase training and racing opportunities year-round, spending summers in Europe and winters in Australia and New Zealand.

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Today, I am a member of the U.S. National Canoe Slalom Team and Olympic Team. I compete in three events: Women’s canoe (which makes its Olympic debut in Tokyo), women’s kayak, and women’s extreme slalom, joining the Olympic line-up in 2024. I hope to win an Olympic medal one day, and I want to inspire the next generation of up-and-coming athletes along the way.

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When I’m not canoeing or kayaking, I love to mountain bike, surf, skateboard, snowboard, trail run, and grab coffee with friends. I also enjoy cooking and baking—raspberry white chocolate muffins are my specialty. I always travel with my art supplies so I can relax be­tween training sessions—and stay calm before I race.

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I’ve always loved to compete, and I spent five years as a competitive gymnast before settling on canoe slalom full-time. I love the way a slalom boat moves through the water, the feeling I get when I go fast, and the challenge of negotiating the gates. Canoe slalom has shown me the world, introduced me to new friends and cultures, and given me the chance to train outside, with amazing people, all while pushing myself to be the best athlete and person I can be.

ABOUT ME

Image: Eric Friedenson