Winner Lifetime Achievement award Claudia Kerckhoff-Van Wijk still happiest when in her kayak
Claudia Van Wijk has lived and breathed the world of white-water kayaking since she was born. Growing up on the riverbanks of Ontario, Canada, she was paddling down rapids in the front of a double Klepper-Foldboot by the age of three. With a decorated career as a slalom and wild water athlete, Claudia’s infectious enthusiasm for the sport has inspired countless others.
Congratulations with winning the Lifetime Achievement award Claudia. What does this award mean to you?
"I am honoured for being recognized for my participation and contribution to the sport of whitewater paddling. I am still happiest when in my kayak, especially when running a challenging section of river, so its extremely fulfilling to introduce others to this amazing sport. This I have been able to do for thousands of people. A summer day doesn’t go by when I don’t hear: ‘thank you, this was the best day of my life!”
As a member of the Ontario Voyageur Kayak Club, Claudia grew up surrounded by passionate kayakers. Learning to run rapids by the age of three—with no helmet and no PFD—it was obvious she was destined for success. She helped build her first kayak in the family basement at the age of seven and at 13, she won her first Canadian championship in both Slalom and Wildwater—a title she held for 10 years.
It's the fifth anniversary of the World Paddle Awards and you are the first woman to win this award. What is your experience with the paddlesports community being a male dominated sport?
"Interesting, as a female whitewater kayaker, especially a female slalom paddler, I have felt inclusivity from the onset. I paddled, trained and raced the same courses as the men. We supported each other, and compared our results. This is also true in river running, with whitewater kayaking being a gravity sport, you learn to use the water to do the work for you and skill depends on your commitment not your gender. As with most actions, its what you put in that you will get out. This feeling of equality from paddling, follows me in all aspects of my life."
Claudia has inspired thousands of people to start white-water paddling through her role as the director of Madawaska Kanu Centre and has been a mentor to countless Canadian slalom athletes. Claudia also played an instrumental role in securing the sport of Canoe Slalom into the 2015 Toronto Pan AM Games. As a TV broadcast analyst she has also been the voice for Canoe Slalom on television, projecting her addictive passion for paddling the rivers.
How do you look back so far to a life dedicated to our sport and community?
"I feel fortunate to have been able to transition my competitive career, into my business career. And giving back to the sport that gave so much to me, is a natural transition. I enjoy it immensely, yet realize not enough athletes do this. Many finish the sport and never come back. Yet being on the water is the most valuable and wonderful experience - its magical. It is in my nature to be exited and enjoy making opportunities happen. Dedicating my life to paddling is an easy decision for me."
Nicole Whiting, Bernard Lalonde and James Cartwright congratulate Claudia with her Lifetimne Achievement award.
Are there people you would like to thank? People who supported you.
"First and foremost my parents, Christa and Hermann Kerckhoff. Their enthusiasm for whitewater paddling rubbed off at an early age. I was three when they discovered kayaking, and I was just taken along. But, their biggest gift was believing in me.
Linda Harrison. Linda paddled like the men. Aggressive, explosive and using the water to her advantage. She was the first woman to place in the men’s class, showing us that we can do this too! Linda connected us whitewater women across North America through a newsletter she initiated. Here we shared what we were doing. This elevated our knowledge, but also gave us the drive to work harder...knowing that others were."
Some last words about our rivers?
"Firstly, being on the water, and running a river is not something we can take for granted. It is our duty to respect, leave no trace and be environmental stewards. Lead by example, spread the word.
Secondly, it is also important to understand limits. Moving water is a huge invisible force, not to be underestimated. Paddling whitewater has inherent risks and we need to know when it’s our day to step down, and not run this rapid. Know yourself, and support others to be able to make the right decision."
Profile Claudia Kerckhoff-van Wijk
☆☆☆ SPONSORS WORLD PADDLE AWARDS ☆☆☆
NELO | DANSPRINT | JANTEX | MARTIN CHRISTENSEN | RACEGORILLA | SPORTSCENE