Latest Postings

Vero Beach Boat Show Nov. 21st & 22nd ( Vero Marine Center )
IRFCU Celebrates 50th Anniversary ( Marc Camelleri )
Sebastian Soccer - October 24th ( Alana Brigham )
In the Style of "The Highwaymen" ( Ron Thomas )
Cellists Prepare a Pops Fiesta ( Judy Orcutt )

share a story | more postings »

YourHub.com \\ Sebastian \\ Stories \\ Sports \\ Athletes of the Week

Beck Takes Gold at Florida Sunshine Games

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

NEXT › ‹ PREVIOUS

Contributed by: Kristen Beck on 6/17/2009

Saturday and Sunday were golden days for Mike Beck, as he swept the Sunshine State Games kayak races.

Mr. Beck started kayaking at age 11 and won the city championship in Cologne Germany at age 16. "Kayaking has been very good for me. I have seen the world racing in Europe, all 48 contiguous states, New Zealand and Thailand. It is a great sport and teaches self confidence and discipline." Mr. Beck lives in Micco and owns Kayaks Etc with his wife Kristen, whom he met on a 22 day river trip on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

At age 43, Beck hasn't raced since the World Championships in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic in 2006. Beck raced on the USA National Wildwater Kayaking Team for over 16 years in almost all disciplines from Wildwater, Sprint, Slalom and Dragon Boat. He is also a certified international kayak and canoe coach.

Saturday's races consisted of 500 meter sprint in Surfski, Downriver Kayak and Single Outrigger Canoe, the 200 meter in Surfski, and Sunday he raced marathon in Surfski. Mike finished not only first in his age group but first over all in all five races.

The Sunshine State Games celebrated its 30 years of amateur sports. It is Florida's Olympic-style sports festival with over 4000 athletes. The races were held in Polk County and offer affordable competition for all of Florida's amateur athletes.

On the rush of his winning streak, Mike has caught the competitive bug again and will start training for next year's games- he also noticed the lack of young competitors in the kayak divisions and was bothered by this lack of competitors. Being an internationally certified kayak/ canoe coach, Beck is working on starting a race team for Indian River youth. Beck is willing to volunteer his time and equipment to work with any children interested in kayaking. Look for a training schedule to begin with the school year.

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story