2015 ICF World Championships Slalom
 
1
2
3
K1M
CZ J. PRSKAVEC
PL M. POLACZYK
US M. SMOLEN
K1W
CZ K. KUDEJOVA
DE R. FUNK
DE M. PFEIFER
C1M
GB D. FLORENCE
SI B. SAVSEK
GB R. WESTLEY
C1W
AU J. FOX
CZ K. HOSKOVA
ES N. VILARRUBLA
C2
DE ANTON/BENZIEN
FR PICCO/BISO
FR KLAUSS/PECHE

Canoe Sprint

Interview with canoe sprint athlete Lydia Keefe Sampson

“Sprint is a very unique discipline, but it's challenging and fun! I think everyone should try it!”

lydia keefe sampson canoe kayak sprint athlete interview usa sportscene icf sack women c1 c2

Lydia Keefe Samspon (left) in the C2. Photo: J. Guay 

Sarah Ruhlen | Sportscene - Meet Lydia Keefe Sampson. Lydia grew up in Seattle, Washington surrounded by a brother and mother who paddled, and competed in Sprint Canoe and Kayak. At 17 years old, Lydia has already accomplished a notable first place finish for Junior C1 Women at the 2013 National Championships (USA), and was a USA Team Member for the 2013 Junior World Championships. She paddles with the Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club. Lydia is one of the women forging into new territories for Women’s Canoeing, and the quest to gain worldwide and Olympic recognition for her discipline, as well as all female canoeists.

What equipment do you use?
My current boat is the Nelo Vanquish 3, and for a paddle I prefer the Braca uni 2000. In my boat I have a knee block that is carved to fit me, where I can rest my knee when I race.

Could you explain your race discipline? What races are you permitted to race in, and what do these aces entail?
I race internationally in Women’s Sprint Canoe C-1 (single canoe) and C-2(double canoe).  In C-1 I race the 200 meter, and race the 500 meter in C2.  Both of these races are short, intense and quick.  The 200 is all about the start and maintaining explosive speed, and then keeping up the power and conserving enough energy  in the middle to ensure a strong finish. The 500 is a little different, because there is more time to stretch out the stroke, and work on power and efficiency.  Still, you want to employ the idea of strength for the finish, as it is extremely important.  At national and regional regattas, women in sprint canoe have more options when competing in teamboats or when racing different lengths.

What is your favorite course?
I have to say I really do love Greenlake, which is in Seattle Washington where my club is based.  I have raced there for years and the course is home to me.  Although Welland was extremely windy when I was there for Junior Worlds, the set up there was very nice, and I liked the course as well.  Another course I like is in Oklahoma City, where US nationals has been hosted many times.

How long have you been paddling? Racing?
I have been paddling since I was eight years old. I began racing at the same time, but competed in both kayak and canoe.  I began to race more competitively in 2010, and have continued to be more serious and competitive as I have gotten older.  

What is your favorite race where you have competed?
Hmm.  It is hard for me to pick a certain race. This last season I had some great races at  the US Team Trials and Lake Placid International. Junior Worlds, which were held in Welland, was hard for me because I just missed the final. Even feeling crushed because I had missed the opportunity to compete in finals, I felt like I raced my hardest and left everything on the water, which felt really good. Overall, I would have to say I had a really good season last year, and I can't wait for this summer.  

What is a normal day (including training, eating foods to assist your body for training and racing, workouts, sleeping, etc) for you? As an athlete, what does a day in your life look like?
For me, my schedule changes depending on the time of the year.  Throughout much of the year, I have school during the day, then immediately after I head to a 2 or 2.5 hour practice. In the course of a week, I lift weights and do conditioning in 3 separate sessions. I do these on my own, so the schedule for weights is somewhat flexible. This means that for most of the year I have roughly 8 practices a week.  When summer comes I have closer to 12 practices each week, if I am at home training with my club.  In the summer I spend a lot of time at training camps preparing for competitions, so any given week’s schedule could include more than 12 practices.  On a normal summer day I would usually have 3 practice sessions. For my training I obviously spend lots of time on the water, but I also do a lot of weights, conditioning and running. In terms of my diet, I focus on eating a balanced healthy diet with lots of protein, fruits, and vegetables.  On a normal day I get about 8 hours of sleep, and with training, often take lots of naps as well.

Are there any events that almost stopped you?
I have never wanted to stop paddling because I love the sport so much.  I am not sure what my life would look like without it.  I did have a shoulder injury that was hard to deal with, both mentally and physically, but I never thought of stopping.  I knew it would get better eventually.  

Who inspires you (paddling or non paddling)?
 I don't think there is one person in particular, but my family and friends keep me going. They push me to strive to do my best.

How did your parents encourage you in your goals, especially in competing?
My parents have always been extremely supportive of me in everything I do.  So has my older brother.  They always have my back, and I do not know what I would do without them.  They keep me motivated and sane.  I can always hear them screaming for me at regattas and, after the good and bad races they are always there for me.

How did you become interested in sprint, and what made you decide you wanted to race competitively on a national and international level?
My family has been involved with the sport for a long time.  My mom used to paddle as a master for SCKC (Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club), and my older brother did sprint canoe very competitively as well.  So, I have been around the club since I was about four years old. As soon as I was old enough, I jumped in a boat.  I have loved the sport ever since then.  I am a very competitive person, so even when I was little and slow, I was competitive. As I got older I got more and more interested in competing internationally. As I progressed, the level at which I competed became harder, but I really love it.

What major setbacks have you encountered?
I did have a shoulder injury that was frustrating and painful.  I had to take some time off to help it heal, but I knew it would heal if I took care of it.  It still bothers me occasionally,  but I know how to take care of it and manage it now.

What is your personal reason for paddling, and for competing?
I think my love for the sport is the real reason. I wouldn't be doing sprint canoe competitively if I didn’t like it.  I am also an extremely competitive person, and love working out.  Racing is exciting and physically demanding, which are two of reasons I think I love it so much.

In what ways do you give back to the sprint community?
I help out a lot at my club, and have sacrificed time for the sport and my club.  I do this because I want the sport to grow and flourish.  I help out with the development classes sometimes, and in general, I am a very active member of my club. I have grown up watching and helping my family contribute to our club.

In your opinion, what would the US have to do to be truly competitive on an international scale?
I think the US program is constantly developing, and has made huge strides in the last few years.  What is left is a matter of USA Canoe/Kayak gaining more depth and continuing to expand and flourish.
 
You’ve been in the sport for about 8 years. What changes have you seen as far as technique, boat design, training methods and styles, etc?
As long as I have been paddling, I don't think much has changed in terms of the technique, but there have definitely been changes and  improvements in equipment.

In particular, how have you seen women’s technique change, and how do you think it will have to change for women to become more competitive?
In terms of woman's canoe, I think the sport is growing and improving for the better. I hope this continues. I think an increase in female canoeists in the US would elevate the level of competition, and make both canoe and kayak disciplines more equal.

What do you think of the movement to gain inclusion for C1 women in the 2016 Olympics?
I think it is very exciting and I am extremely supportive of it, but I feel it is long overdue.
 
Is Sprint solitary? Is most of your training done with just you and your ipod, Or do you usually do it as a team?
Although I definitely focus more on C-1 in both training and racing, I love team boats and I definitely train mostly with my other teamates at practice.  There is a very big community and team aspect to the sport. Although I am mostly racing by myself, I think that training with others is very important, and part of what makes it so fun.  In races, I race singles often, but still feel like it is a team sport.  Having the team aspect is very important to me.  

Do you ever take time and just go run rivers or paddle for fun? If so, what do you find attractive about doing so?
I love going on long easy paddles with friends to just talk, and enjoy the beautiful lakes where I train so frequently.
 
How do you prepare mentally for a race? How do you stay focused and keep a cool head at the starting line and during your race?
On race day it is important for me to be fully present and stay positive. The night before I try to get a lot of sleep and eat well. Before I go to bed I picture my ideal race, and think about all the aspects as I go to sleep. It's important for me to be thinking about my race, but not so much that I over think everything and psych myself out. A few hours before my race I like to lie down and rest, and listen to music to get into the zone mentally. Shortly before my race, while I'm warming up, I try to get myself pumped up and excited. Not getting nervous and trusting myself is important for me.

What is usually going through your head at the starting line?
I am thinking about my race plan and especially my first few strokes. I also try to take deep breaths and tell myself I can do it. Being aware of the wind is important too.
 
Could you ever picture your life without canoeing? What would have to occur to make you quit?
My life would be very different and I think I would really miss it. Paddling is a huge part of my life. I think it has really helped shape me as a person, and as an athlete.

Before ICF decided not to include Women’s Canoe in Rio 2016, were you hoping to attend? Are you now hoping for the Olympics in 2020?
I did not have plans to try to attend in 2016, and I honestly have not thought too much about 2020. I am definitely interesting in continuing with paddling, but I have not figured out my next steps with either paddling or school. However, I am definitely keeping different options in mind.

In your opinion, are women ready and at the competitive level to be included in the Olympics?
I think so. Giving the same opportunities to women canoeists should go without saying, and it is past time to see positive progression with this issue.  I think there are a lot of amazing women canoeists around the world that are ready, and I would love to see women competing in the Olympics.