FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two Bellingham, Wash., Girls Set National Kayaking Record
BELLINGHAM, Wash., 5/30/2015 – Two 12-year-old athletes on the Bellingham Canoe & Kayak Sprint Team (BCKST) have set national kayaking records after completing the six-week-long Barton Bantams Challenge on Saturday, May 30, 2015.
Since 2007, the USA Canoe/Kayak’s National Sprint Development Program has offered this Challenge to all youth under 14 years old. Over six weeks, boys and girls paddle their boats as much as they can, and there are four levels of achievement: Bronze (200 km), Silver (300 km), Gold (400 km) and, introduced last year, Platinum (600 km).
Coached by Dan Baharav, Sierra Noskoff, 12, and Elena Wolgamot, 12, both set national records in the Platinum level – Sierra with 773 total kilometers paddled and Elena also with 773 total kilometers paddled.
The previous national kayak record was set in 2014 by Evan Truesdale (751 km ) for boys and Josie Ballard (651 km) for girls, both from San Diego, CA.
“The amount of commitment and dedication these girls have put forth is quite amazing,” says Chris Noskoff, father of Sierra. “On one day, they paddled more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) in just one session!”
Over six weeks, Sierra and Elena paddled six days a week, in addition to participating in regular team practices five days a week. They paddled before and after school on many days, and could be seen on the lake almost every day until 8 p.m. On average, they spent between three and five hours a day on their kayaks, often with only one break to refuel their bodies. “The BCKST club is producing some very talented kayak athletes,” says Noskoff. “I’m so proud of them.”
In July, Sierra and Elena, together with other BCKST athletes will compete at the USA Nationals Sprint C/K Championships at the USA Olympic facility in Chula Vista, CA.
For more information about this story, or to schedule an interview, contact Dan Baharav at 360.379.0551 or . Photos are available upon request.
About the Bellingham Canoe Kayak Sprint Team
The Bellingham Canoe & Kayak Sprint Team (BCKST) is a Youth Program that trains young athletes to compete in the sport of Olympic-style flat-water sprint canoe and kayak in a safe and positive environment. The program provides education and coaching to youth ages 9 through 18, at all levels, including youngsters with disabilities. The home of BCKST is Lake Padden, Bellingham, where all of its training and competitions take place. For more information Bellingham Canoe/Kayak.
About the USA Canoe/Kayak’s National Sprint Development Program
A member of the United States Olympic Committee, USA Canoe/Kayak is the national governing body for the Olympic sports of Canoe/Kayak Sprint and Canoe Slalom as well as the Paralympic sport of Paracanoe. USA Canoe/Kayak is also the U.S. member of the International Canoe Federation and the Pan American Canoe Federation. Other paddlesports sanctioned by USA Canoe/Kayak include: Dragon Boat, Freestyle, Marathon, Surfski, Wildwater, Outrigger, Canoe Polo, Canoe Sailing and Stand-Up Paddleboard.
Learn more at USA Canoe/Kayak. For more information about the Barton Bantams.
Todd Elsworth is one of the many “Mossy-haired lunatics roaming the dripping peninsulas”, described in “I’m Here for the Weather” by Tom Robbins. As executive director, he works to fulfill our mission to teach the health benefits of nature, promote outdoor recreation, and steward the places where we play.
