Stroke by stroke to Rio 2016

Hello!

My name is Sam Roworth and I am a Canadian sprint kayak athlete pursuing my goal of competing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  

I train out of the Balmy Beach Canoe Club in Toronto - the same place I watched my siblings compete as a kid, and where I fell in love with the sport.  

Since the age of 6, I have loved being out on the water. In 2012 I found my stride in the sport after training abroad with the Hungarian National Team.  I was able to balance my university studies while I trained full time with some of the best athletes in the world.  This gave me the boost I needed and helped get me to the next level.  In 2012 I made the Canadian National Team for the first time.   

The 2013 season was phenomenal!  I proudly represented Canada at my first World Cup tour in Europe and came back with a bronze medal in the K4 1000m, the only medal for Canada in this event since 2006. Unfortunately, in the post season, an injury required me to have surgery to repair a hernia.  In spite of a green light to resume paddling, injury persisted and the setbacks in my training led to a poor showing in 2014.

Now healthy, I am back on track to achieving my goal, and am at my peak performance level to date.  I finished off this season with 6 medals at the Canadian National Championships, including a bronze medal in the Senior K1 1000m (the highest level).

I currently train 24 hours a week on top of working part time to help supplement my funding to cover training expenses.  Having the tools to help me achieve my goals is integral to my chances of success and that's where I need your help.  I need a new boat.  One that properly accommodates my frame.  Unfortunately boats aren't cheap and I need to raise $5,600.

This has been my ultimate goal in sport to push myself to reach my potential, and I need your help to do it.  I greatly appreciate your support in giving me the best possible shot at representing Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games.

I would not have made it this far with out the support of my friends and family, and cannot thank them enough.  Thank you for considering my campaign towards Rio.  Each and everyone of you is part of my journey to the Olympic Games.

Thank you!

Sam