The Journey

By Ruth Gordon

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, The Joy is in the Journey. Finally after two days of recovery I’m able to look back and appreciate the lead up to one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.

I’m now a World Champion. Feels weird to even write it. Feels weird to even say it.

Over a year ago I quit my 9-5 job (a good job some wouldn’t agree falls into the category of work) so that I could kayak full time. Already in my mind I knew I wanted to win the worlds, but it seemed so far away. I’d already been to 3 worlds previously but the thought of surfing a big wave in my back yard seemed all too appropriate.

Last year I spent traveling and competing. Competition is a tough game and I needed all the experience I could get. I gained a lot of knowledge and became the Canadian Champion securing myself a spot on the Canadian team.

Training over the winter months was crucial. The Canadian winter is harsh so I avoided the lull in paddling by spending time in TN with the Jackson and paddling in Uganda.

The best thing I could have done was go to Uganda. I had been plateauing on the right blunt for years and finally I learned some new tricks: the flashback and the clean blunt. Joining EJ, Emily, Nick, Dane, Stephen and Billy I not only paddled my brains out, I had a blast.

The final weeks leading up to the event I had the pleasure of paddling with some of my competitors; Tanya Shuman, Tanya Faux and Mariann Saether. This was a time of bonding, paddling like girls and pushing each other.

There are so many things that come into play to make you a World Champion; people, places, practice, lessons. All these energies collide and the next thing you know you’re having the ride of your life. Being a World Champion is awesome but the Joy was certainly in the Journey.

Highlights from the Worlds:
paddling with the girls
paddling like a girl
sunny, blue skies
a BIG wave
and yes, winning

The coolest thing about all this is knowing that I set my mind to something and accomplished it. That gives one the impression that they are capable of almost anything.

Your World Champion
Ruth Gordon

Small clean