In what is a first for Varsity College, we now have an exciting kayaking program that is in it’s infancy. Over the last few weeks the College has been working closely with Olympic kayaking legend and Gold Coaster Ken Wallace to establish a relationship with QAS (Qld Academy of Sport) and Varsity College through our Clubs and Communities Kayak program.
Ken Wallace has been appointed by QAS to align a Talent ID project to a school (as a starting point) and we (Varsity College) have managed to be the ‘chosen one’ for this great program.
Ken and an exercise physiologist (Christie) will work closely with students to collect student data e.g measurements of students (arm span, waist to head, etc) along with measuring their aerobic capacity and assessing their progress in kayaks over the 6 week of clubs and communities. At the conclusion (and based on ability) of the program, three to four students will gain a QAS Talent ID scholarship, along with ‘free’ weekly training and coaching support to further enhance their paddling ability. From here, these students and others would then have the opportunity to represent Varsity College at the QLD Schools Kayaking Championships in 2021.
This program is in its infant stages and has moved pretty quickly over the last two weeks. With the Australian Institute of Sport and QAS Kayaking located only a few sheds up from our VC rowing shed at Varsity Sport House, along with the opportunity for an Olympian to work with our students, this is very exciting for the college and our students.
This is a great opportunity for the college and students with the program to expand within the college in 2021.
Exciting kayaking times ahead!
Mr Dowker
HOD Physical Education
