Team Canada, Liam O'Brien

Hello, my name is Liam O'Brien and I am a member of the Canadian National Team for the sport of Canoe Kayak. I am a 17 year old twelfth grade student at Dartmouth High School. I kayak out of the Banook Canoe Club in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This past summer I had the privilege to represent Canada at the Junior World Championships in Welland, Ontario. It was an unbelievable experience of which I will never forget. I raced in the K4 1000m where my crew finished 8th and K2 200m where we finished 10th in the WORLD!

Fortunately for me I have been selected to race for Canada one more time this year at the Pan American Championships in Ponce City, Puerto Rico. This will be my fourth competition representing Canada and hopefully not my last! The intense competition I have faced as a member of Team Canada has opened my eyes and prepared me to aspire for a medal in Puerto Rico. Pan Ams are taking place from October 18th-20th of this year and I need some assistance getting there.


Unfortunately funding for Junior athletes in my sport is quite low. Canoe Kayak Canada partially funds these trips but a great chunk of it comes out of the athletes pockets. The cost of my trip will be upwards towards $2000. I currently have a part time job, but my hours are little to none and it is quite hard to balance work, school and being a full time athlete! ANY donations will go a long way and help me greatly in pursuing my dreams of continuing to race for Canada this fall and in the future! I have overcome many challenges in my short career but the greatest obstacle for an amateur athlete is the financial barrier.



Thank you in advance for all of your support!
Liam O'Brien