Genevieve Orton
Persistence and dedication have paid off for Genevieve Orton one
of Canada’s top international paddlers. Orton is a member of Canada’s K-4 500 world championship crew with Emilie Fournel, Mylanie Barré and Kristin Gauthier. The foursome made a giant step last season reaching the final at the world championships in Halifax and placing eighth. This year they plan to gain more ground on the international field.
Orton switched to paddling from gymnastics at age 16. It was a long road to earning a berth on the national team but seven years later at age 23 she was sporting her Team Canada uniform. ‘’Getting that berth on the national team was probably the toughest challenge I’ve ever faced,’’ said Orton. ‘’It took me a lot of years to work my way up but I always knew I could do it.’’
Before paddling, Orton had already been toughened up athletically as one of Canada’s top young gymnasts. She qualified for two national championships, won two provincial championships and competed at the 1999 Canada Games for Nova Scotia. Her two sisters are Canada Games alumni in paddling.
Orton is currently in her undergrad studies at Dalhousie University and plans to pursue a degree in medicine.
Contact Lorraine Lafreniere at CKC to add your name to the growing list llafreniere@canoekayak.ca
