Andrew Willows
Andrew Willows has played a large role in maintaining Canada among the international powerhouses in paddling for the past several seasons. Now ultimately vying for a medal in his third Olympic appearance in 2012, Willows says he also has an important role to play as a veteran on the Canadian national team.
“I think the veterans are a key to a team maintaining success,” said Willows. “It’s important that the younger paddlers see that we are good enough to race against the best in the world. I hope it is that belief the next generation can take in order to bring Canada more international success.”
It’s not surprising so many of the young paddlers today cite Willows as a major influence and inspiration. He delivered strong results
for Canada in his two Olympic appearances so far. In 2004 he helped Canada to a ninth place finish in the K-4 1,000, its best
ever Olympic result in the event. In 2008, he was in the K-2 500
with Richard Dober Jr., and they took sixth spot.
After both Games he pondered retirement. Back in 2004, he believed he had reached his goal by just competing at the Olympics. However once there and living through the experience, he realized that a medal was his ultimate dream. In 2008, a back injury prevented him from paddling to the utmost of ability. With Halifax hosting the 2009 the worlds, he continued another year, gained more confidence and is now driven to contend again in 2012.
Dober and Willows were one of three Canadian medallists at last year’s world championships in Halifax with bronze in the K-2 200.
At the 2006 worlds, they took silver in the K-2 500.
Willows grew up in Gananoque, Ont., where he learned to paddle
at age six. He moved to Carleton Place, Ont., at age 15 where he was coached by Graham Barton, currently the sprint director for CanoeKayak Canada and trained alongside long-time national team member Ryan Cuthbert.
He has one more semester remaining in his architectural technician studies at Algonquin College and plans to pursue a career in house building. He built his current home in Carleton Place where he resides with his wife Valerie.
Contact Lorraine Lafreniere at CKC to add your name to the growing list llafreniere@canoekayak.ca
