Olympic kayaker shares keys to success with students

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

World champion paddler Karen Furneaux brought the Olympic spirit - and a message of determination and motivation - to students at Berwick school October 16.

The elite Nova Scotia athlete, a kayaker since the age of 12, has been a member of Canada's national team since 1994. She is a two-time world champion and a three-time Olympic participant, having attended games in Sydney, Athens and, most recently, in Beijing; where she finished eighth overall in the K1 class.

"She is recognized as one of the very best in the sport of kayaking in the world," said principal Andre Tessier in his introduction.

Furneaux had no trouble engaging students through two asssemblies.

"One of my favorite things to do is to share my experiences about the Olympic games and my sport," said Furneaux, explaining kayaking has not been the only sport she has pursued in her lifetime. She began with gymnastics, and had the students in stitches as she recalled her "first disastrous competitive event."

When the flame for the 1988 Calgary Olympic games passed through her home community of Waverley, Furneaux had a chance to hold it. That experience crystalized a dream of competing in the Olympics.

"From that moment, I knew I wanted to get there."

That ambition, followed by years of training and sacrificing to be among the best in kayaking, has strengthened Furneaux's belief each person has what it takes to achieve his or her goals.

"It is totally within your control to achieve anything you want. It is all inside you."

Drawing on the word “dream,” Furneaux explained determination, role models, expectations, attitude and motivation are the keys to finding success. She remembered how, despite having her hands "literally freezing to her paddle," she pursued one of her first goals: competing at the Canada Games. While that didn't happen, she achieved something even greater, qualifying to participate at the Junior Worlds Championship in Europe when she was just 16.

"It taught me that sometimes plans don't always work out the way you want them to. But, if you work hard, you can achieve something even greater than you planned for."

Furneaux's visit was organized by the Fillmore family, owners and operators of Berwick's Willowdale Farms. Just over a year ago, Diane Fillmore met the paddler at Dalhousie University.

"Karen has such an enthusiastic personality," noted Fillmore, "and she has a wonderful message to bring to these kids." She said Furneaux, who now feels like "one of the family," is now being featured in a healthy living and eating campaign being rolled out by Nova Scotia chicken producers.

"Her lifestyle, achievements and attitude make her an ideal spokesperson."

Furneaux wrapped up her presentation encouraging students to be passionate about a dream "and to follow that dream with everything you have.

"If you believe in something, in yourself and have a positive attitude, anything is possible."