WHAT A GREAT COACH AND MENTOR CAN MEAN 

by Guillermo Meire
    

                                                                                                                                                   

It was a summer morning like all others. i got up early because I had to catch a flight at noon Montreal bound. I was very nervous because I was 12 years old as it was my first time travelling alone. Needless to say it was my first time in Canada too. To make things worse my English was poor and I could not communicate much.

It went all pretty ok even if I had to endure the 8 hours plus flight.

When I arrived I was picked up by a very nice man that drove me up to the camp at Keeners.

When I arrived I just got a lot more nervous, all my team mates had already arrived and I was the last one to make it there. I think I am more the kind of shy person by definition and I could not understand much, let alone speak much English. This is the reason it took me a while to settle in and mix even if everybody was so nice and kind to me.

The day after i met a teacher i have not seen the first day. I did not pay much attention to him but later on he came see me and started to talk to me. He spoke Spanish. From the on I became his "shade". I was following him all around. He helped me with my communication and also with my kayaking: how to pick the right line while in the rapids, how to do tricks I was learning and more.

He always had a smile for me! He made that summer the best of my live. I was learning a lot from one of the best kayakers in the world. But he was also approachable and always worked on building my confidence. I learnt kayak, English and a lot of other things about live from him. That is well rooted in my heart and I will never forget.

Now it is summer of 2017 and here I am again. It is all a lot better for me!! My English is better, I communicate better, I am leaving my shy side behind, my kayaking is better too but ... he is not here this year, I am missing him a lot, on the water and outside the water. I am sure I will get the chance to see him again. Don't know where or when but I know deep inside that we will get to paddle together again. I will be very happy then! I will be able to show off a bit and show him all what I have learnt thanks to him, one of the best kayakers in the world and in my eyes the best friend, coach and mentor in the world.

Gracias Matthieu and see you soon