The Girls in the Boat - Going for Gold in Hungary

We are the Girls in the Boat!

You'll see us on the water in Gig Harbor every day in our bright yellow jerseys representing our record-setting local team. Now, we'll be wearing the red, white, and blue, representing team USA at the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Hungary!

Support our journey, be part of our story, we need your help. From Gig Harbor to Hungary... and hopefully to Los Angeles in 2028!

My name is Kate Powell. When I moved to Gig Harbor from Hong Kong in 2020, you probably remember, things were a little strange in the world. I had no friends in my new town, I was a new kid in a new school and that school was entirely online. Nothing was open, there was little to do.

My mom saw a road sign advertising a local canoe and kayak camp for kids happening in our nearby harbor. I think she was desperate to get me out of the house and to help me find something to do - so she signed me up. I could choose one of the two disciplines, either canoe or kayak and something about the canoe seemed more appealing, so I went with that.

Most people picture a big silver metal camp canoe when I tell them I compete in this sport. You'll have to trust me, it's a little different. I found out the hard way, and the quick way, that these boats are not the kind you just jump in for a leisurely paddle. They are incredibly unstable and I spent most of that week of camp and my first whole year, not on the water, but IN the water.

I quickly found my balance and along with it I found a community and a passion.

I have the privilege of training almost every day with a great team and some girls who have become some of my best friends.

Recently, we each qualified individually to represent the United States in an international competition in Hungary that will take place in mid-September and I am so excited. All of us train in single canoes (C1), in doubles (C2), and in a four-person boat (C4). We weren't sure how the US coaches would configure the team boats for the Olympic Hopes races, but it turned out that the fastest grouping was the four of us Gig Harbor girls. We are officially the Girls in the Boat!

Thank you for considering supporting my journey to Hungary and beyond. It's a big deal to travel for sport internationally and my parents have convinced me of the value of inviting others to support and follow our story. I look forward to keeping you updated on how we do against 40 other countries and as we try to raise the profile of this fun sport in the US and represent our country abroad.

Go Team USA!