The Maritime City may be a small town, but it’s quite large in the eyes of the U.S. Sprint Coaches Association. The association recognizes excellence in the world of canoeing and kayaking. Last week, USA Canoe/Kayak National Development Director Mac Hickox was in town from Toronto to honor two coaches with the Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Racing Team. Head coach Alan Anderson was awarded Coach of the Year and canoe coach Jon Sousely was awarded Development Coach of the Year.

The team was represented by five of the seven canoe athletes that competed in the 2011 Junior World Championships in Lake Placid, NY. Hickox expressed amazement at how far the Gig Harbor club has come in the last few years.

“The team sent five canoers and two kayakers to the Junior World Championships last year,” Hickox said. “That means 40 percent of the athletes at Junior World were from Gig Harbor.”

Sousely said that while he coached in Tacoma, he looked forward to coming across the bridge to work with the Gig Harbor athletes.

“This is my mental therapy and enjoyment,” he said. “The kids listen, work hard, perform, and give it their all. Working under Alan is wonderful.”

Anderson humbly accepted his award and thanked the community for their support.

“I just like working with the kids,” he said. “I appreciate the help from the kids, the parents, the politicians and the people in the community.”

Hickox said Anderson’s efforts have served the area with a niche club that offers gender equality with both canoe and kayak teams.

“This guy is the real deal,” he said.

Hickox lamented the U.S. falling behind other countries with its presence in the sport mainly because it lacks funding.

“We need to fund the mission,” he said. “For too long parents have been funding these athletes.”

The director said the association’s focus is to grow its base of talented athletes, encourage and sustain excellence, empower bold leadership and expand its global presence with more representation on the international scene.

Hickox later said he had a “soft spot” for the states, particularly the Pacific Northwest, because of its proximity to Canada and the strength of its three clubs, Seattle, Gig Harbor and Cascades. He was especially impressed with the Gig Harbor club because of its involvement with both canoeing and kayaking.

“You go to a lot of other clubs and you don’t see the canoes,” he said. “That’s what’s unique about this club.”

Morning Rotary to the rescue
At the ceremony Anderson shared his years-long dream of building a boathouse in Skansie Brothers Park to house kayaks used by the club and to offer community programs like the new para canoe program.

“This is one of the first para canoe centers in the U.S.,” Anderson said. “I will be offering the sport to disabled athletes.”

Hickox praised the program that works with physically challenged athletes.

“Ryan Padilla, a disabled athlete, is aspiring to be in the 2016 Special Olympics,” he said. “This is the first time para canoeing will be part of the Special Olympics. In Gig Harbor this little niche sport is serving the whole community. The community is proud of what Alan and his colleagues have done.”

The morning Gig Harbor Rotary Club has offered to build the boathouse.

“My hopes are that the Rotary will get to build it to be used by youth of all abilities to enjoy their boats and enjoy this beautiful gift of the harbor that we have,” Rotarian Richard Pifer said. “This boathouse would give the Rotarians a chance to connect with youth and we hope that these kids will be right there beside us.”

The Rotary has donated $10,000 and all the labor to build the structure. Pifer said it made sense for the Rotary to take on the project since it has been so involved with Skansie Brothers Park in the past — the club built the public restrooms, erected the flagpole and constructed the park pavilion.

“This is a way for us to complete the park,” Pifer said.

Paddlers Cup
Anderson will be involved in the upcoming Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup and Expo April 28-29. The inaugural event will feature competitive paddle racing for kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards to benefit the Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak Club and the Surfrider Foundation. Vendors and booths at Skansie Brothers Park will give the public an opportunity to try out equipment, see new boats and learn more about paddling sports.

For more information, call event coordinator Missy Hill at 253-230-3631, Anderson at 253-208-6365 or visit www.gigharborpaddlerscup.com.



Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by email at susan.schell@gateline.com.