KAYAKING: An interview with Brazilian Marcio Franco extreme sports athlete

WATER SPORTS

Words: Ico Schutte | Photos: Ale Socci & Sickline | Video: sickline.planet-talk.net

Marcio Franco

An interview with Brazilian

extreme sports athlete

My recent travels took me to Voss, Norway, the kayak capital of the world. Here I

linked up with Marcio Franco, an extreme sports athlete and nature lover from Sao Paulo, Brazil. He was kind enough to lead us down some of the most remarkable, crystal clear, glacier-fed rivers of Norway. While cooking up a Brazilian-style barbeque, I asked some questions leading up to the Adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship, which he is taking part in.

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The event takes place on the famous Wellerbrückerapids, a legendary section of Austria’s glacier-fed Ötztaler Ache river.

This year marks the sixth Adidas Sickline event, taking place from 3 to 5 October 2013.

Q:

You just won the 'Honourable Citizen of Voss Award' at the EkstremsportVeko? What events did you do and win?

MF:

Yes, thank you. I won the Horgi-Ned, a Nordic triathlon that includes downhill ski, downhill mountain bike and white-water kayak, as well as the Slalom Raft Race, Amazing Adventure Raft Race, and Riverboarding event. I also got second in the Paragliding 'Precision Landing on Water' and sixth in the kayak team race.

Q:

Wow! How do you train for all the different disciplines, and which is your favorite?

MF:

Training happens by following the weather conditions. If it's raining, I kayak. If it is sunny and windy, I bike. And if it is sunny but no wind, I go paragliding. I’m also inspired by friends calling me to join them on what they are keen to do for training.

Q:

Living in Voss for four years now, as a Brazilian, why did you choose Voss? How does Voss help you prepare for Sickline?

MF:

Voss has a concentration of valleys and navigable rivers not seen elsewhere in the world. It offers 3 valleys and more than 24 possible kayak sections, options to fly my paraglider, and trails to ride my bike on in the hills behind my house.

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Photo credit: Tom Raynei

Photo credit: Njål Johansen

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MarCIO Franco

An interview with Brazilian

extreme sports athlete

Marcio at Ektremsportveko.

Photo credit: Per Finne

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Q: MF:

Describe yourself as a kayaker?

I'm paddling because it's fun, challenging, and I love to be surrounded by nature and hear the roar of rivers.

It is the perfect place to feel your soul interacting with the wild.

Q:

How long have you been kayaking?

MF:

I have been kayaking for 23 years now.

Q:

What do you think it takes to be competitive at Sickline?

MF:

For Sickline, you have to glide on top of the white water and to get this done, you need a very good technique.

Q:

Any advice for beginners that aim to compete at Sickline?

MF:

Enjoy everyday paddling and take part in local races to build experience. Sickline is not for beginners.

It is class V rapids, with very dangerous sections. You need to master these types of rapids, which are difficult in normal conditions and even more so when adding race pressure and a lack of oxygen in your lungs.

Q:

Has your training been leading up to Sickline?

MF:

I have been thinking of this race for 18 months now, with my training more focused on this event for the last 5 months. My average week workload is 4 river runs, 1 sprint training in flat water, 2 functional workouts in the gym, 1 mountain bike session and 1 mountain running session.

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Q:

No wonder you excel at these events!

What is the most challenging part of the race for you?

MF:

The 'TNT rapid' is the crux of the course.

It is vital to not make a mistake here, as it will cost you many seconds.

Q:

Have you competed at Sickline before and what is the vibe like at the event?

Thanks Marcio!

Looking forward to your performance at the race! All the best in YOUR final preparations! •

MF:

Yes, I competed in 2010. The atmosphere is electric, with kayakers from all around the world. It has the best race logistics and with an exceptional safety operational plan, you can feel comfortable while racing class V rapids.

Q:

I believe you are driving all the way there? Why Sickline? What makes it so special?

MF:

Yes, it's a long trip indeed. At the moment, the kayaking community says that I'm the guy that should be representing Brazil over there, and since no Brazilians have ever been there, I feel motivated to do that again. I hope to inspire my people back home and show them that tomorrow, they also can be there. It gets more and more competitive every year with the rivalry of sponsored teams, nationalities, and different group of friends.

And because it is the World Championship of extreme kayaking!

Q:

Truly inspiring! We wish you all the best!

Describe your perfect day in the kayak for us.

MF:

Sunshine, blue water, big rapids, and cool friends!

Q:

What support do you receive from sponsors, family, and friends?

MF:

I am sponsored by Double Dutch Paddles. Big thanks to them for keeping me on the water! Most of the energy comes from my heart, and the life experience where I lost my parents very early to cancer. I want to make the most of my time while I can. The love of sport and nature drives me to find out what is outside of the comfort zone of my house.

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What is a sick line?

A sick line is the perfect, smoothest, and fastest line downriver. Extreme kayakers travel around the world in search of sick lines.

What is extreme kayaking?

Extreme kayaking is the art of going down steep rivers, high waterfalls and mastering extreme white-water difficulties. Paddlers call that steep creeking. On their expeditions around the globe, extreme kayakers are often far from any civilisation and self-sustaining for days.

Their kayak is turned into a backpack in which they stow their food and gear for the wilderness. Often they walk a marathon just to get to the rivers they want to paddle.

About the Adidas Sickline There are no official federations and organisations within extreme kayaking. Many expedition kayakers don’t typically race, but they are very athletic and skilled, which is why there has been a strong desire amongst extreme kayakers to have a world championship. The Adidas Sickline tests the kayakers’ ability to not only get down one of the world’s most challenging rapids in one piece but to do it fast as well. At the same time, the Extreme Kayak World Championship attracts many of the best slalom and freestyle paddlers because they can combine their fitness with adrenaline.

For more information about the event, visit www.adidas-sickline.com and for a profile on Marcio Franco, visit www.marciofranco.com.br

MarCIO Franco

An interview with Brazilian

extreme sports athlete

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