IMAGE grant_hewitt15
Age: 24 (SNR) Weight: 73Kgs Boat: Kayak Racing Hyperion Paddle: Braca 1 PB: 36.5s (K1 200m)
nicolas weeks How did you get into sprinting?
I got into paddling through being a scout. I was paddling on our dam one day and a 200m sprinter, Dave Gerber, approached me and said I should join them for a training session. I joined them for a session, he became my friend and mentor, I guess the rest is history.
Where do you train? Do you have a coach?
I train at East Rand Kayak (ERK) which is a really great facility. I currently get a program from Adro (Atilla HPP), train alone and try to join a session at Dublamanzi (Not sure on that spelling) canoe club once a week where the sessions are coached by Adro.
Which is your favourite distance? Do you prefer K1 or K2 and would you consider K4’s I am a 200m paddler, and I’ll race the odd 500m and flat water/ river marathon. For me K1 represents your true ability so it seems slightly more prestigious to win in a K1 which is appealing. On the other hand it is very enjoyable to race with team mates in a K2 and K4 as you share the experience, the highs and lows in training, results at events, etc. Coming from canoe polo, I find the comradery of team sport and touring together really enjoyable.
How do you manage race day nerves?
I’m a calm person so I don’t jump around and get hyper active like some other guys, I prefer to be focused and relaxed. Nerves will always build until you start the race and then they are gone. I guess I get comfort in the fact that the training is done and you can only do what you can do, and its the same for everyone. In essence the result is already decided, you just need to go and make it official.
Your goals for this year? To win SA champs, K1 and K2 200m, and to make the team to go to sprint world champs in Portugal.