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During the 1996 Junior Lifeguard season, San Diego City Lifeguard and former Olympian Chris Barlow arranged visits to the ARCO Olympic Training Center for Junior Lifeguards. The training center, located on Lower Otay Lake, about 30 miles from Junior Lifeguard Headquarters, rapidly became one of the most popular "field trips" enjoyed by the children. They were not only able to meet other Olympians but received kayaking instruction from the Olympic coaches. From this, the idea of a Junior Olympic Kayak Team began.
The San Diego Canoe and Kayak Team is a Junior Lifeguard Program focused on Olympic development in the sport of canoe and kayak. San Diego Canoe Kayak has a history of excellence with exceptional paddlers earning spots on the Junior World Championship Team, the Senior World Championship Team, and even the Olympic Team. The team is open to all levels of paddlers from novice paddlers who have never paddled before to former Olympians who help volunteer with the team. San Diego Canoe and Kayak Team is always looking for hard working and determined athletes to contribute to our team and help to make it a success. We would love to see you on the water!
Dates and Times
San Diego Canoe and Kayak Team is a year around program with a small break after National Championships. There are three, four month sessions during the year with the first session starting in September. During the school year the team runs three practice sessions per week, two afternoon sessions from 4:00 to 5:30 pm and one Saturday session from 9:00 to 11:00 am. During the summer, practice sessions can run during the weekdays before morning class Junior Lifeguards from 7:00 to 8:00 am.
Enrollment Fees
- Saturday Beginning Kayak Class is free. (one or two workouts)
- Development Team tuition is $150 per four month session. (Saturdays only)
- Racing Team tuition is $200 per four month session. (all practices)
- Family tuition is $350 per four month session.
- A yearly $25 USA Canoe Kayak Membership is necessary for participation in Development or Racing Team.
Minimum Requirements
- Junior Kayak is open to girls and boys ages 9 through 17.
- SDCKT also has a Senior team which many parents have joined.
- Newcomers to our program must attend the Beginning Kayak Class.
- Swimming ability is required and must be demonstrated during practice.
- A Lifejacket is required.
Program Location
The program is located at the San Diego Canoe and Kayak Team boat storage facility which is inside the San Diego Youth Aquatic Facility at 1750 Fiesta Island Road on Mission Bay, San Diego, California.
Content
The San Diego Canoe Kayak Team serves the San Diego community by introducing the sport of canoeing and kayaking to local youth and their families. The team teaches skills necessary to be successful in the sport: balance, technique, sport physiology, sport psychology, and sportsmanship. The team competes in monthly regional races around Mission Bay but also participates in the yearly National Championships.
Program Goal
The program is a team based sport focused on instilling sportsmanship, respect for self and others, and a love of overcoming challenge. The program emphasizes Olympic and National Team development in the sport of canoe and kayak. The team also focuses on the cross training, skills and attitude necessary to be successful in Lifeguard Academy and Lifeguard Services.
Coaching Staff
Founder and Head Coach: Chris Barlow:
Chris founded SDCKT as an offshoot of the Junior Lifeguard Program and has been the Head Coach and Manager for 10 years. Chris was a member of the 1992 Olympic Kayak Team, the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games Teams and many World Championships Teams. He has competed internationally at Lifesaving competitions and Surf Ski races, and was the Captain of the Welsh Surf Lifesaving Team in 1986. Chris has worked for San Diego City Fire-Rescue for 14 years as a Lifeguard, Firefighter Paramedic and now as an Engineer/Paramedic.
Coach: Chris Zimmer Chris is a Full Time Lifeguard with San Diego City and has worked as an assistant to the Olympic Team Canoe Kayak Coach, Nathan Luce. He has coached Junior Lifeguards and kayaking for many years. Chris is also an accomplished Lifeguard competitor taking part in Lifeguard National Championships and racing in surf ski, paddleboard and run-swim-run events.
Contact Information
In order to sign up for a beginning kayak class please contact Gerry Barlow:
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Join the team one Friday evening a month for a 2000m time trial at their headquarters on Fiesta Island.
This is a fun and social event for ALL PADDLERS! Come out to support the kids, set your own personal goals, and make some new friends and paddling buddies!
Friday, May 9: 5:30pm-7pm
Youth Aquatic Facility at 1750 Fiesta Island Road
There are no fees to participate, but donations to the team are always welcome!
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