Paddling pals move from Ottawa Pumphouse to Rio river
By Daniel Prinn
Mike Tayler
Canoe slalom
Age: 24
Local Club: Ottawa River Runners
Olympics: Second
Twitter: @michaeltayler92
SCHEDULE
Sun. Aug. 7
Men’s K-1 heats
11:30 a.m. ET
Wed. Aug. 10
Semis & final
12:30 p.m. ET
Cam Smedley
Canoe slalom
Age: 25
Local Club: Ottawa River Runners
Olympics: First
Twitter: @CameronSmedley
SCHEDULE
Sun. Aug. 7
Men’s C-1 heats
11:30 a.m. ET
Tue. Aug. 9
Semis & final
12:30 p.m. ET
On a bright day in mid-July, Ottawa paddlers Cam Smedley and Mike Tayler weave their way down the Pumphouse whitewater course they’ve come to know so well on the eastern edge of Lebreton Flats.
It’s a scene that’s been repeated thousands of times since they were teenagers learning their sport with the Ottawa River Runners club.
But the difference this time is it’s one of their final runs before taking off for Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic Games, where they will represent Canada in canoe slalom.
“It’s amazing to have Cam there,” underlines 24-year-old Tayler, who took part in his first whitewater kayaking summer camp at the Pumphouse when he was 8 years old. “We battle in different categories, but we support each other and push each other in training. I’m so happy for him that we’re going to be able to share this experience together.”
Tayler, who will race in men’s K-1 (solo kayak), and C-1 (canoe) competitor Smedley are the star members of a tight-knit local paddling community.
They’ve known each other since their youth, and their families have been heavily involved in the sport too – Tayler’s sister Kathleen and Smedley’s brother Liam also reaching a high level.
When the Olympic team was officially announced, Tayler emphasized his gratitude towards an extended family of sorts that helped push the sport forward in Canada, including Ottawa paddler John Hastings, 32.
Hastings, who would head over to train at the Pumphouse from his RBC office on Sparks St. during lunchtimes, was the one who clinched Canada’s Rio berth with his performance at the continental Olympic trials (held alongside last summer’s Pan Am Games canoe slalom competition in Minden, Ont.).
Tayler later jumped decisively ahead in the points race to determine Canada’s Olympic representative thanks to wins in all four runs at May’s national team trials in B.C.
“It’s pretty incredible with what (Hastings) has been able to do balancing school and work,” notes Tayler, himself a fresh Carleton University history/law grad. “He’s a great role model for that. He’s the most inspiring person for me to see that balance of work and personal life and high performance altogether.”
Rio will be Tayler’s second Olympics, having upset Hastings at the London 2012 trials by .11 of a second when he was just 20.
“It’s a really special experience because it’s so hard to make an Olympic Games, and to make it to two is incredible,” signals Tayler, a semi-finalist in 2012, placing 20th overall. “I’m excited to get another chance because I wasn’t satisfied with my result in London. I was a kid thrown in and I made the team on an experienced field.”
Smedley chasing history
Though Canada has never medaled in canoe slalom, Smedley is eager to be a trailblazer.
Earlier in his career, he earned a piece of history by becoming the first Canadian to record a top-10 finish in men’s C-1 at the World Junior Championships.
Now, the 25-year-old would love to make an even greater wave by replicating the podium place he achieved at the official Rio test event this past November.
“I’m going into the Games with an open attitude and just doing what I can, and having a nice run,” Smedley indicates. “If that lands me on the podium, I’ll be absolutely ecstatic.”
The 3rd-year Carleton mechanical engineering student has firmly entrenched himself as Canada’s best men’s C-1 paddler at the moment (his brother Liam is the next best Canadian in the world rankings at 84th), but the world #39 wants to continue his rise internationally.
“It’s been a big challenge with the Europeans being such a strong force,” Smedley highlights. “I’m slowly making my way up the international ranking and hopefully I can make my mark on the Games.”
Smedley advice for young aspiring Olympians:
“Follow your dreams. If you love what you do, just keep working at it and it will pay off.”
Tayler advice for young aspiring Olympians:
“Stick with it through all the failure. You have to know that for every great race, there’s probably five terrible ones and that’s the big difference that can separate people – who can persevere? The will to succeed is the difference.”