MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — It’s not rowing. That’s what high-school athlete Zachary Kralik often finds himself saying to people when describing his sport, sprint canoe paddling. “It’s a great sport,” he says, “that is focused on both individual and crews.” Zachary, who describes himself as extremely focused when it comes to paddling, has already brought home medals for Canada after competing in Prague recently, and this young athlete plans to earn many more soon.

Age: 17
Grade: 12
Sport: Sprint Canoe Paddling
Team: Mississauga Canoe Club
Training For: The 2022 Junior Worlds

What is your goal within your sport?

Zachary Kralik: To qualify for and medal at the 2022 Junior Worlds, in Szeged Hungary. My long-term athletic dream is too qualify for the summer Olympics someday.

What do you love about your sport?

Kralik: What I love most is being on the water with all my friends. I love pushing my body every day in training all year round and then getting to see the results during the racing season.

What is your biggest challenge in your sport?

Kralik: Maintaining confidence. Sometimes when training is not going as anticipated, your confidence can drop off and affect your performance.

Do you have a pregame ritual?

Kralik: Before a race, I focus on a good on-land and on-water warm-up. At my bigger competitions I would hardly talk to anyone 40 minutes before my race as I get so hyper focused and ready to go. I always go into a race with a well thought out race plan that I know how to execute no matter where I am in a race.

What is your favourite song to get you ready for a game?

Kralik: My favourite music artist to listen to and really dial in before a race is probably Kanye West. It changes all the time but music is very important for me pre-race.

What has being a member of a team taught you?

Kralik: My training group has been a big part of my performance. They push me in training on a daily basis and support me to be the best paddler I can be. The training group and coaching at the Mississauga Canoe Club has become a second family to me and I owe so much of my success to everybody involved there.

Do you have a mentor in this sport?

Kralik: My long-time coach, Doug Tutty, has been fundamental in my growth and success as a paddler.

What words of wisdom have you received from a coach or mentor?

Kralik: Medals are won in the summer but are earned in the winter. That motto is pretty much what I live by in sport. I train hard all year round so that I can enjoy the summer racing and aim to get faster every year.

Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.

Kralik: At the national championships in Ottawa this past summer, I false started in my 200 meter race and the boats were called back. In canoe sprint you are allowed one false start before disqualification so it was extremely important for me to focus in and be ready for the next start. I was already more nervous lining up again knowing I had just false started the race the first time and it took a lot to calm myself down to make sure I had a good race.

What do you like to do outside of your sport?

Kralik: Outside of paddling my favourite sport is skiing (Nordic and downhill). But, I also like to play video games and spend time with friends.

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