Slalom Canoeist Calls it Quits
David
Hearn retires after 28 years of whitewater racing
by Mary Beth Vorwerk - USA Canoe/Kayak
Three Olympics and two World Championship titles later, David Hearn retires at age 42
BETHESDA, MD. - One of the greatest canoeists in the history of USA Canoe/Kayak (USACK) announced his retirement from international slalom competition Tuesday. Three-time Olympian and two-time World Champion, David Hearn has decided to direct his energy toward conveying whitewater knowledge and focusing on teaching and coaching those seeking excellence in slalom racing.
"I am going to miss the day-to-day training in the boat," said Hearn. "But I'm still going to paddle regularly with the kids I coach. I look at it as a way to stay involved with my sport and pass along my knowledge to a younger generation."
Working with young paddlers and assisting USACK National Slalom Head Coach, Silvan Poberaj, Hearn is currently leading the Bethesda Center of Excellence (BCE) coaching program in his hometown of Bethesda, Md.
"With the help and support of numerous individuals, I was able to achieve many of the goals I set for myself over 28 years in whitewater racing," said Hearn. "Now my goal is to guide paddlers to their own whitewater excellence, while helping to nurture the growth of whitewater slalom racing in the United States."
Over the course of his athletic career, Hearn brought home 14 World Championship medals - eight gold, five silver and one bronze. Since 1977, he was a member of 13 whitewater World Championship teams and participated in 14 World Cup seasons since the event first began in 1988. He competed in 64 World Cup events including 57 finals and won 23 World Cup medals- seven gold, eight silver and eight bronze. He finished second four times in overall World Cup standings and third place overall once.
Hearn also holds 28 National Championship titles - 19 in C-1 slalom. Seven of those were in C-2 slalom and one each in C-1 and C-2 wildwater. He was named a Top Ten SportsMan of the Year by the USOC in 1995.
"Davey's legacy to the sport of canoe racing speaks for itself," said USACK Executive Director Lisa Fish. He is simply one of the best ever in the U.S. He will be remembered not only for his outstanding accomplishments, but the drive, determination and leadership he brought to every team he was on."
One of Hearn's most outstanding accomplishments as well as memorable experiences was becoming a World Champion in 1985 after finishing second to training partner Jon Lugbill three times in a row. Hearn finished second behind Lugbill at two World Championships after that and won again in 1995 at age 36, 10 years after his first World Championship victory.
"Being elevated into the air, onto my teammate's shoulders while in my boat and carried back up the course upon winning (the 1995 World Championships) is one of the great memories of my racing career," said Hearn.
Being an Olympic Torch Bearer in June of 1996 is another memory that stands out in Hearn's mind. He was among 23 canoe/kayak athletes who participated in the nationwide Olympic Torch Relay. On its way to Atlanta for the Summer Olympic Games, Hearn was chosen to carry the torch into Washington, D.C.
"It was an incredible honor to be a torch bearer for the Olympics in my own state," said Hearn.
Success in whitewater racing runs in Hearn's family. His older sister Cathy is a two-time Olympian in women's kayak and in 1979 won an unprecedented three gold medals at the World Championships. A member of the 2001 World Championship Team, Cathy is currently on the Women's National "A" Team.
His father Carter, an expert canoeist, paddles whitewater regularly at age 69 and brother Bill was also a USACK National Team member. His mother Mary Alice is a fiber artist and holds a PhD. in Creative Process.
David's wife Jennifer was also a member of the USACK Women's National Slalom Team and served as David's paddling coach from 1996-2001. She started out as Assistant Slalom Team Manager at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona while she was still competing. In 1996, she decided to focus mainly on helping David's paddling career and became his full-time coach alongside Silvan Poberaj.
"I have to give her a lot of credit," said David. "She supported me in so many different ways throughout my career. She went to all of my races since 1987 and was one of the coaches for the Slalom Olympic Team in Sydney."
Jennifer and their three-year-old son Jesse Carter continue to support David as he coaches as well as runs his own business. Maximum Whitewater Performance (MWP) specializes in custom paddles, composite boats and accessories for whitewater racing and river running. David started up the company in 1987 to cater to racers and recreational paddlers who want high performance paddling equipment.
As David continues to keep busy with coaching and running MWP, the whitewater racing community will miss seeing him paddle competitively.
"Although he is retiring from the competition side of the sport," said Fish," we are truly thankful that he has chosen to pass along his knowledge and experience to the next generation of paddlers."
