Some of the nation’s top kayak and canoe athletes are spending their spring break training in Corpus Christi this week.
Athletes from Seattle, Wash.; Oklahoma and Minnesota are getting ready to compete in the upcoming national team trials in Oklahoma City.
That’s their first step in qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
These young athletes say our warmer weather and calm weather in the Padre Island canals are a perfect training environment.
“Another kayaking coach from Canada recommended that we come down and check it out,” said Aasim Saleh, director of paddle sports from Oklahoma City. “And since coming, we are really hooked in a sense that economically it’s a place where we can travel inexpensively in the spring, the weather is great, the kids really enjoy the beach and the shops. Just a great beach feel.”
Those with a good showing at the team trials will be selected for the Junior and Senior World Championships later this year.
