The Great Lakes Canoe Club started pre-season training with a coaching session led by Olympian, Thomas Schmidt from Germany.
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The young canoeists felt honoured to paddle at Forster Marina, listen to the tips and watch the tricks of the world-class athlete.
Thomas won the Sydney Olympic gold medal in men’s K1 kayak slalom in 2000 and continued his successful paddling career, winning team gold in the 2002 European and World Championships.
He fell in love not only with the Australian waterways but the country and its people, and has stayed connected with the kayaking families from the Great Lakes Canoe Club since that time.
The club is lucky and appreciative that he made time to come and inspire the paddlers with his coaching expertise on one of his regular visits back to Australia.
His wife and two children were thrilled to see three dolphins join the training session, frolicking under and around the kayaks.
A perfect finish to his holiday in the Great Lakes.