(2017 ☆ ARCHIVED) Claudia Van Wijk - Canada

CLAUDIA VAN WIJK (Canada) - Nominee for the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

• Born: 1962; sport(s): Rafting, Downriver, Canoe Slalom, Expedition ; represents: Canda

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 rapid 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 has since become an inspiration to so many people with her enthusiasm for the sport being infectious. 

Growing us as a member of the Ontario Voyageur Kayak Club, Claudia was surrounded by so many people who loved to kayak. After learning to run rapids by the age of 3, with no helmet and no PFD, it was obvious she was destined for success. At the age of 7 she helped build her first kayak in the family basement and at the age of 13 won her first Canadian championship in both Slalom and Wildwater.

Claudia went on to compete at an international level for over a decade where she won 10 Canadian Slalom Championships (1974 – 1985), 6 Canadian Wildwater Championships (1975 – 1980) as well as becoming a the 1976 Pan American champion and winning a bronze medal at the 1982 World Championships. Throughout these feats, in 1974 Claudia and her father became the first to discover and descend the massive rapids of the Ottawa River.

After retiring from competition in 1982, Claudia took over as Director/owner of the Madawaska Kanu Centre, which is the world’s first commercial paddling school for both kayak and open canoe (Canadian canoe). She also opened the OWL rafting centre on the Ottawa River with her husband Dirk Van Wijk.

In addition to this, she has inspired thousands of people to start white-water paddling through her role as the director of Madawaska Kanu Centre and 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 an integral member of Canadian white-water kayaking, Claudia’s passion for the sport is unparalleled. Her commitment and contribution to the paddlesports industry, both in Canada and worldwide, make her fully deserving of a nomination for the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Achievements on and off the water:

• 10 time Canadian Slalom Champion, 1974 - 1985
• 6 time Canadian Wildwater Champion, 1975 - 1980
• Gold, Pan Americans, 1976 Savage River, USA
• 5th, World Championships, 1979 Jonquiere, Canada
• Bronze, World Championships, 1982 Merano, Italy
• Director/Owner of Madawaka Kanu Centre
• Opened OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River
• Manager of the Canadian team, 1987 & 2009
• Instrumental in securing the sport of Canoe Slalom into the 2016 Pan AM Games.

This is a 2017 archived nominee. Voting has closed.