The Illawarra Canoe Club (ICC) has produced high-level kayakers competing in places like Bulgaria and Croatia. With their intense training regimes, these athletes could one day find themselves in the Olympics.

The ICC has had an impressive year and four rising stars – 21-year-old Jasmine Locke, 18-year-old Kynan Burke, 19-year-old Callum Elliott and 18-year-old Tarren Elliott – have already competed in numerous events, including the 2024 Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Championships.

For these kayakers, putting the time into their training is important to reach the next level.

“It's probably looking at between 15 to 20 hours a week,” said Jasmine.

“I do a lot of different sessions to help me get the best out of my work.”

They train two to three times a day. This can involve anything from kayak training to running, swimming or a gym session. 

“It can be a bit hard to struggle, balancing school and training, but you just have to see it all in,” said Tarren.

“I always liked the sport and I want to succeed, so I have to train hard,” said Kynan.

Their kayak training focuses on building up technique and harmony with the boats. This includes drill repetition to work on acceleration and resistance training to improve speed.

“It's a lot of high-intensity interval efforts… like three minutes on, one minute off,” Callum said.

“We do this stuff called resistance where we put a occy strap around the front of the boat, which reduces how streamlined it is through the water and makes it hard to push through the water.

“When we take that off, it helps to build your strength, so then you feel like you're flying once you have it off.”

A key factor in becoming a great kayaker is the boat. The type of boat varies based on the event – whether it’s a K1, K2, or K4, with the numeral representing the number of paddlers – but the common trend seems to be the brand: Neo.

“Most of the athletes use them, that's what I think the top of the range is,” said Kynan.

While not as intense as some athletes' diets, these kayakers ensure they meet all their nutritional requirements to keep their bodies ready for competition.

“It's just really important to have a balanced diet, ensuring I'm getting enough protein and carbs into my training,” Jasmine said.

Despite already having a big year of competition behind them, more challenges await. Jasmine and Kynan have been selected to compete in the Australian U23 and Junior World Championships Teams respectively in Bulgaria in July.

“I'm incredibly excited to go and race,” said Jasmine.

“This is my third time competing in the under-23 team, we've got a really strong team, and I can't wait to race the rest of the world.”

Tarren has her own journey ahead. In September, she will head to Croatia to compete in the Junior World Canoe Marathon Championships.

“It's take two, I’m going with Chelsea Sutton from Manly Warringah Kayak Club,” Tarren said.

“I've never been to a world championship before, so I'm pretty excited about that.”

All the ICC kayakers are eager to compete against the world’s best paddlers.

“The world championships and the Olympics, that's probably the end goal,” said Callum.

While Olympic medals are on their minds, they are also keen to enjoy the journey and keep improving along the way.

“I just want to make more teams and events every year, see where it takes me from there,” said Kynan.

The ride isn’t a solo journey for these four dedicated competitors, who acknowledge they couldn’t do it alone.

“I know I'd like to thank my parents for dedicating a lot of time and money and effort into getting me where I am and my coaches as well,” Callum said.

“Always, rain, hail or shine, they put in effort.”

Check out the full season report and Asia Pacific Sprint Cup article to find out more on the ICC incredible kayakers.