Pathways

Seattle Canoe and Kayak team members race in regional, national and international races. We have programs for both the recreational racer and the elite US National Team racer. Here are the typical pathways for racers with different goals. Note everyone starts out the same as a 1st/2nd year bantam (age 11-13), where they learn to paddle sprint boats and have fun. Dedicated training to reach higher goals starts when you become a juvie (the year you turn 15). The summer of the year you turn 14 is your last year of bantam. That is the summer we recommend you train June/July with the team and attend Nationals.

 

US Nationals Pathway Olympic Development Program Pathway

1st and 2nd year Bantam (the year that you turn 12 and 13)
Paddle a lot but do other sports too.  To progress, you should paddle at least 3x a week (but whatever you can manage is better than not coming!).  Learn how to race and how to complete an assigned training.  Do many different team boats.  Do the Barton Bantams program in fall.    Winter you either do another sport or do dryland with the team.  Pacific Cup (mid Sept) will be your end of year regatta. Attend Frostbite Camp in November.

3rd year Bantam (the year you turn 14)
Paddling starts in spring with distance regattas and then Slawko Regatta (Maple Ridge) in April
Start paddling at least 2 weeks before Ted Houk and try to get out 2-3 times a week
Ted Houk (Seattle). 
US Nationals — 3rd year bantams are encouraged to start attending Nationals
Pacific Cup (Maple Ridge)
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle);

1st year juvenile (the year you turn 15)
Winter weight-training begins once paddlers are juveniles.  You can also take weight-training at school
Winter another sport or dryland with the team.
Paddling starts in spring with distance regattas and then Slawko Regatta in April
Start paddling at least 2 weeks before Ted Houk and try to get out 2-3 times a week
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle) <— For many paddlers who are only targeting Nationals, Ted Houk will be their first regatta of the year.
Train in Seattle for 6-weeks prior to Nationals.  M-Sa mornings and MWF afternoons
US Nationals in first week of August
Pacific Cup (Maple Ridge)
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team

2nd year juvenile (the year you turn 16)
Winter another sport or dryland with the team.
Paddling starts in spring with distance regattas and then Slawko Regatta in April
Start paddling at least 2 weeks before Ted Houk and try to get out 2-3 times a week
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle) <— For many paddlers who are only targeting Nationals, Ted Houk will be their first regatta of the year.
Train in Seattle for 6-weeks prior to Nationals.  M-Sa mornings and MWF afternoons
US Nationals in first week of August
Volunteer at Pacific Cup (Maple Ridge)
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team

1st year junior (the year you turn 17)
Winter another sport or dryland with the team.
Paddling starts in spring with distance regattas and then Slawko Regatta in April
Start paddling at least 2 weeks before Ted Houk and try to get out 2-3 times a week
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle) <— For many paddlers who are targeting Nationals, Ted Houk will be their first regatta of the year.
Train in Seattle for 6-weeks prior to Nationals.  M-Sa mornings and MWF afternoons
US Nationals in first week of August
Volunteer to help younger teammates at Pacific Cup (Maple Ridge)
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team
Consider doing surf ski or OC-1 races (offered most every week in summer and fall)
Consider attending a training camp over winter break

2nd year junior (the year you turn 18)
Winter another sport or dryland with the team.
Paddling starts in spring with distance regattas and then Slawko Regatta in April
Start paddling at least 2 weeks before Ted Houk and try to get out 2-3 times a week
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle) <— For many paddlers who are targeting Nationals, Ted Houk will be their first regatta of the year.
Train in Seattle for 6-weeks prior to Nationals.  M-Sa mornings and MWF afternoons
US Nationals in first week of August
Volunteer at Pacific Cup (Maple Ridge)
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team
Consider doing surf ski or OC-1 races (offered most every week in summer and fall)
Consider attending a training camp over winter break

1st and 2nd year Bantam (the year that you turn 12 and 13)
Paddle a lot but do other sports too.  To progress, you should paddle at least 3x a week (but whatever you can manage is better than not coming!).  Learn how to race and how to complete an assigned training.  Do many different team boats.  Do the Barton Bantams program in fall.    Winter you either do another sport or do dryland with the team. Nationals (Aug) Some 2nd year bantams will attend (talk to your coach). Pacific Cup (mid Sept) will be your end of year regatta. Attend Frostbite Camp in November.

3rd year Bantam (the year you turn 14)
Paddling starts in spring with distance regattas and then Slawko Regatta (Maple Ridge) in April. You should paddle at least 3x a week (practices are held 5x a week).
Ted Houk (Seattle).  Ted Houk is part of the ODP pathway.
US Nationals — You should attend Nationals. 
- Post Nationals, coaches will submit names for the Olympic Development Program.
Pacific Cup (Maple Ridge)
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall other sports or dryland with team

1st year juvenile (the year you turn 15)
Winter weight-training begins once paddlers are juveniles
Winter break, Winter training camp in warmer climes
Paddling starts in spring with distance regattas and then Slawko Regatta in April
Mid-winter break and spring break.  Some kids will travel to warmer weather to train for a week.
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle)
Train in Seattle for summer with possible training camps if invited (based on Ted Houk performance, prior Nationals, etc)
US Nationals in first week of August
If selected for the Olympic Hope Regatta (OHR), train in Seattle after nationals.  OHR is mid-Sept.
If not selected for OHR, race or volunteer at Pacific Cup (Maple Ridge)
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team

2nd year juvenile (the year you turn 16)
Winter weight-training
Winter break, training camps in warmer climes
Winter training/paddling
April US Team Trials
Distance regattas and then Slawko in April
Spring training camps: some juvies will attend spring camps with OKC, IKAIKA, San Diego, or other clubs.
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle)
Canada Cup Regatta end of June.
Train in Seattle for summer with possible training camps if invited (based on Ted Houk performance, prior Nationals, etc)
US Nationals in first week of August; OHR selection.
If selected for OHR, train in Seattle after nationals.  OHR is mid-Sept.
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team

1st year junior (the year you turn 17)
Winter weight-training and drylands
Winter break, some head to training camps in warmer weather
Spring.  Train for US Team Trials
US National team trials in April or May
Spring training camps: some juniors will attend spring camps with OKC, San Diego, or other clubs.
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle)
Training camps likely during the summer.
Canada Cup Regatta end of June.
US Nationals in first week of August; OHR selection
If selected for OHR, train in Seattle after nationals.  OHR is mid-Sept.
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team

2nd year junior (the year you turn 18)
Winter weight-training and dryland
Winter break, training camps in warmer weather
Spring.  Train for US Team Trials; Jr Worlds selection
April. Jr National team training camp possible
US National team trials in April or May
Ted Houk Regatta (Seattle)
Jr Worlds training camps during the summer.
Canada Cup Regatta end of June.
Junior Worlds end of July
US Nationals in first week of August
If selected for Pan American Championships, train in Seattle after nationals.  PanAm Champs is mid-Sept.
Frostbite Training Camp (Seattle)
Fall HS sports or dryland with team