K1W (women's whitewater slalom kayak)
Rebecca Giddens 2002 Whitewater Slalom World Champion
Date of Birth: September 19, 1977
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 140
Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Current Residence: San Diego, California
Parents: Tom Bennett; Mary Joyce Knowles
Spouse, Coach, Training Partner: Eric Giddens
Siblings: Lindsey Bennett; Todd Bennett
High School: Notre Dame Academy, 1996
College: Georgia State University
Rebecca Giddens is a veteran whitewater slalom kayaker with her sights set on an Olympic medal during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, August 17-20. When home, Rebecca employs a brutal cross training schedule working out at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista and Rio Bravo, and training on the Miracle Hot Springs on the Kern River east of Bakersfield, California.
Rebecca is a four-time US Canoe Kayak athlete of the year with an impressive number of world-class results. Rebecca won the 2002 Whitewater Slalom World Championships and won a Bronze Medal in the 2003 World Championships. Rebecca also won the 2000 World Cup series and placed 7th in the 2000 Olympic Games.
Rebecca is married to Eric Giddens, her coach and 1996 Olympian, who placed 5th in the 2004 US Olympic Team Trials. "That's the best part of paddling and continuing to paddle and getting to the level I've gotten to," said Giddens. "I've got my best friend by my side."
Competition Results:
2004
Named to 2004 Olympic Team
6th World Cup #1 Athens, Greece
2003
Bronze Medal World Championships, Augsburg, Germany
2002
World Champion, Bourg St. Maurice, France
National Whitewater Slalom Champion
2001
Double National Whitewater Slalom Champion in K1 and C2 with Sarah Leith
2000
7th Olympic Games, Penrith Whitewater Stadium, Australia
National Whitewater Slalom Champion
1999
Silver Medal Team Event, World Championships, La Seu d'Urgell, Spain
with Sarah Leith and Mary Marshall Seaver
National Whitewater Slalom Champion
Winner of four Gold World Cup Medals, one Silver and one Bronze.
Rebecca also enjoys surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, cross country skiing, home improvements, and landscaping. She is working on her certification as a personal trainer and in message therapy.
Rebecca Giddens paddling toward an Olympic medal her whole life ~ Photos
Source: USA Canoe & Kayak April 2-4, 2004 Olympic Team Trials
