2018 Media Professional Daniel Stach: we need to be more oriented on the public

17-03-2019

Daniel Stach canoe kayak slalom media world paddle awards professional 2018 Czech Republic

Film maker and adventurer Olaf Obsommer from Germany, and Czech Daniel Stach tied in the Media Professional of the Year category. It’s the first time there’s been a tie for any World Paddle Award.

Stach is that unusual creature, a canoeing celebrity. The media professional has his own national TV show but started out as a member of the Czech junior slalom canoeing team in 2004. He was nominated for an award in recognition of his breathtaking commentaries at numerous canoe/kayak World championships. Daniel Stach about winning the award:

"It's a great honour and I'd like to thank especially members of our community, because they have been very supportive not only during the public vote."

Miroslav Jelenc, Jakub Pruher and Jiri Roha congratulate Daniel Stach with being awarded 2018 Media Professional.

We ask Daniel what he thinks we could do better in our sport.

"We need to be more oriented on the public, meaning specifically: start races at time when people can come to watch the race (12:00 is not that time), make sure that people can watch the most significant races live (not like World Championships Canoe Slalom in Brasil), make sure that rules are understandable and followed (we are having troubles especially in kayak cross), not to kill a category that has a great tradition and is popular amongst the public (C2M), make sure that detailed information about athletes is available online for media and fans (we would have much better TV commentary and as a consequence better viewers experience), create detailed statistics that could be useful to media (not only results, but also statistics concerning each race - e.g. most problematic gates according to penalties etc.)."

In its five years existence it never happened at the World Paddle Awards that there were two winners in the same category. Did you know Olaf Obsommer (the other winner) and what do you think of his work?

"Unfortunately I did not know Olaf's work, but I will definitely catch up! It's amazing that we (paddlers) have such talent in our community! It's amazing to learn about his films and especially about what was happening "behind the scenes", because his trips must be exhausting but at the same time amazing and deeply rewarding."

You are a celebrity in your country and have grown much bigger than our sport. What is it you still like about the paddlesports community?

"I hope I'm not a celebrity and hope never will. I just like to do what I do and I'm lucky enough to have the chance to do it. What do I like about the paddlesport community? I love the people :) To me go kayaking is the best way how to relax, but the greatest part is meeting paddlers. I especially like that we are so diverse - people from diffent backgrounds, people with different personal stories, different education, different jobs, but all united thanks to paddling. I believe that while paddling you can recognise the true personality, who we really are. Many paddlers have been so nice and helpful to me, they have been supportive and kind, they have been funny and cool. I've been very fortunate to meet amazing people and they are making my life better."

Are there people you would like to thank? People who support(ed) you.

"There are so many, because even though kayaking is and indivial sport, I couldn't do anything without the support of others. First of all, I'm deeply grateful for my friendship with Miroslav Lenc. Honestly, I consider this award to be a shared award between two of us. I couldn't do what I do, without him. I'm absolutelly certain that I would not be awarded without his work. He is an oustanding speaker, always committed to do the best. We've been working together for years and I hope it will never change. Secondly I'd like to thank to Jakub Pruher (1992 olympian), our (slalom) coach and mentor. I started to work as a speaker thanks to him. He is one of the people that influenced me in my life the most. Thirdly to my parents, especially my dad, who always supported our "commentary dream" and has been giving us the greatest feedbacks of all. And last but not least to Stanislav Jezek and Jiri Rohan, because they believed in us (Miroslav and me) even in times when not only few felt differently. They gave us the most important opportunity, while taking a big risk doing that."

"Our sport is great, but the community is even greater. In the community is our true power!"

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