Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team Closes Out Successful Year

 

Submitted by City of Gig Harbor

The Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team is winding down their season, but not their enthusiasm. They have every reason to be excited. The Gig Harbor based team accomplished their third straight national championship title in August. This particular championship is worth noting because no team in this country has ever gone to Atlanta, Georgia, the home of 1996 Olympics and host of this years event, and won. The host team in Georgia had never lost a national championship on their home turf. This win was the closest finish in the sports history, a win by 30 points.

The National Championships are sanctioned each year by USA Canoe/Kayak, a member of the United States Olympic Committee.  USA Canoe/Kayak is the national governing body for the Olympic sports of Flatwater Sprint and Whitewater Slalom, as well as the Paralympic sport of Paracanoe. On July 30 – August 1, 2015, the National Championships will be held in San Diego and hosted by San Diego Canoe & Kayak Team. If Gig Harbor can win in San Diego, they will have won in every host venue in the country.

In addition to their recent national title, the GHCKRT traveled to British Columbia in September, and won Western Canada’s Pacific Cup by a significant margin. This was the team’s third Pacific Cup championship win in four years.

“I am so proud of these kids and happy to bring Gig Harbor its third national championship,” says Coach Alan Anderson. One of Coach Anderson’s philosophies is obviously working well. He stated after the team’s first national championship in 2012, “It is not going to be about any individuals.  It is about the team and everyone plays a role.”

The Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team will host the 2015 Paddlers Cup on April 11 and 12. The Harbor Challenge, on Saturday, will feature in-harbor sanctioned racing events, and Sunday will consist of the new Gig Harbor Heritage Classic, a cross-Narrows paddling event. The fourth annual event will draw participants from across the northwest and Canada and early registration is suggested. More information on the 2015 Paddlers Cup including lodging and sponsorship opportunities is available at www.gigharborpaddlerscup.com.

For more information about the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team, please visit the website at www.ghckrt.com. For a comprehensive calendar of Gig Harbor events, visit www.gigharborguide.com.  Gig Harbor, Washington’s Maritime City.