Meet RHKYC Outrigger Paddlers

Elena Kuckerenko

he RHKYC outrigger community is made up of pretty great people. Check out these interviews guided by Martina Redaelli for some insight into their world.

It’s going to be another awesome season together!

Name and years of paddling experience. Elena Kucherenko

Started dragon boat paddling in 2016. Started outrigger canoe paddling in 2017. Joined RHKYC DB and OC sections in 2018.

Keith Lau

1st year paddling

Pietro Scognamiglio

Just 1 year of paddling. I am a rookie!

Adam Cowperthwaite

1 year of paddling and 20 years as a RHKYC member. I am still trying to work out how it took me so long to pick up a paddle!

Amy De Vera

9/10 months (started the development programme since June 2021)

What are the three reasons you like being part of the RHKYC OC section?

Elena. For me, the initial reason to join RHKYC OC section was very practical: I wanted to have my dragon boat and outrigger canoe training sessions at the same place. It was only after I joined that I realised what an amazing group of people our OC section is. It is a truly committed group of individuals who make up a strong team together, and who are open to help out and share their knowledge and experience with newer paddlers. I can’t help but be grateful for the support I received from my fellow paddlers, the captains, and the coaches of the OC section.

Keith. It’s so well organised! From the training schedule, workout plans, to the race logistics – the captains are putting in an enormous effort into

CONTACTS

Rowing Manager rowingmanager@rhkyc.org.hk Coastal Rowing coastalrowing@rhkyc.org.hk Shatin Men’s Racing shatinrowingmen@rhkyc.org. hk Shatin Women’s Racing shatinrowingladies@rhkyc.org.hk

Adam Cowperthwaite

making everyone a stronger, fitter, better paddler at every chance possible.

I love the teamwork and the camaraderie – there’s no better feeling than being on an OC6 catching the bump, with the whole team’s timing spot on. Hut! It’s an incredible experience!

The spirit of competition also runs strongly in all of us. Watching the top paddlers compete at such a high standard inspires all of us to push ourselves a little harder off and on the water.

Pietro. It’s a great community of like-minded individuals that they share the amazing value of these sports, everyone is friendly and welcoming to new guys and building some nice friendships was spontaneous.

RHKYC has great facilities and unmatched location in Middle Island

Great Captains and Coaches, always available and helpful.

Adam. The section makes new members feel very welcome; the coaches and experienced paddlers put a lot of effort into helping new paddlers to learn the sport.

Tuesday and Thursday morning practice sessions are a great way to start the day with a workout, some time with friends and the sunrise over the water.

We train to race, so races allow you to test yourself and the training that you have done together with your team; and the race camaraderie is fantastic.

Amy. Diversity, Community and Respect – I admire how the team’s culture supports each other in many ways other than doing together the sport that we all love. There are a lot of great and strong paddlers in RHKYC OC yet they are all so down-to-earth and it is absolutely commendable.

What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete?

Elena. I focus on the crew, on our boat, and on the person in front of me. If I’m in seat one and there’s no one in front of me, I still keep my focus on the energy of the boat, but I also try and keep the rhythm in my head to set the pace for the boat.

Keith. Focus on your boat and block out the noise – everything is down to you, your blade, and the ocean.

Pietro. Butterflies? What butterflies? Seriously speaking, as always before a competition I need to find some solo time to get in the zone, look inside myself and try to isolate from all the external world. Trust the training that I put into during the season and just focus on giving my 1000% following the advice of the coaches and the captain.

Adam. I picture the finish line and remind myself that the end of the race will always arrive sooner than I think, so once the hooter goes, there’s no time to relax.

Pietro Scognamiglio

on my full body mobility and breathing, this helps me relax and get my head in the game. And while waiting for the race to start, all I have to do is close my eyes, think of my Mom and focus again with my breathing. Trust the team and the training, it’s going to be an amazing race no matter what!

What’s your main goal for the 2022 upcoming (hopefully) season?

Elena. My goal for the 2022 season is learning to read the water on my OC1 to catch, surf, and connect more waves.

Keith. As many races as I can get my hands on – including the ATIR!

Pietro. Well, considering the situation, my first wish is that we will be able to have a season. Then, my main goal is to attend as many races as possible and improve myself to give the best contribution to the Club.

Adam. I want to gain more experience as a steersman. Relatively few OC6 paddlers choose to steer but I enjoy the challenge of controlling the boat while also paddling hard. In small boats I am concentrating on surf-ski this season – it’s not a core sport for the Club, but most of the race events have both OC and surf-ski categories.

Amy. My main goal for 2022 is to continuously learn and improve in an OC1 and OC6, beat all my personal records from last year, race and volunteer more. Hopefully later on, gain some confidence to explore how to steer an OC6.

What one word describes you and what’s your superpower?

Elena. Perseverance.

Keith. Determined. My family is my superpower – they are always there for me at the finish line.

Pietro. Never, never, never give up!

Adam. Repairs. I love building and fixing things – it’s not a superpower, but it’s certainly super-useful in a sport where the boats and equipment need constant maintenance.

Amy. “Enthusiastic”, and then use that enthusiasm as my superpower to captivate energy and share it.