Stored in a shipping container on a beachfront in Trinidad are 10 glistening surfski boats ready to take to the crystal-clear Caribbean waters.
Trinidad and Tobago Canoeing and Rowing Federation (TTCRF) President Merryl See Tai and Secretary General James Robinson proudly show off the canoeing equipment sent to them by the International Canoe Federation as part of a long-term development project.
Opting to conduct the video call with the ICF on Williams Bay in Chaguaramas, Trinidad, See Tai and Robinson are keen to offer a glimpse into the perfect paddling conditions available for youngsters.
“These boats allow us an opportunity to build our talent pool by bringing in youngsters that struggle with the idea of a K1,” said See Tai.
“They can get out and paddle in these boats and develop good techniques while improving their balance and so on.”
The TTCRF was formed and registered as an ICF member in 2004, with See Tai becoming the National Federation’s first elected President in 2007.
Over the past two decades, paddlers have represented Trinidad and Tobago in the sport at the Central American and Caribbean Games, and the Pan American Games, and the nation is now looking for a new batch of talented athletes.
In 2023, Trinidad and Tobago worked on a long-term plan with the ICF to develop the activity, increasing participation among local youth, and ultimately have performance athletes competing at international events.
The use of 10 new surfskis and an ergometer have been a catalyst to start recruiting new paddle sports enthusiasts.
“All this equipment allows us to start with a fresh crop,” said Robinson.
“We launched the ‘Learn to Paddle’ programme which we were able to get students for a period of six to eight weeks.
“Since then, I have made myself available between 7am and 9am every Saturday and Sunday.
“I have opened it to them, saying if you guys want to come back, I am here.”
Throughout 2024 and in the first quarter of 2025, a total of 19 high schools from across Trinidad and Tobago have been visited as part of the “I Choose Sport” programme.
This initiative was used to create awareness of Canoe Sprint and Canoe Ocean Racing as avenues for athletes working towards their Olympic dream.
Robinson is also excited by a group of sea scouts who he works with every Friday and is determined to secure further equipment to ensure his paddlers are ready to compete in continental and global events.
“We are still in the early stages in terms of building athletes that can participate at competitions,” said Robinson.
“We are in the process of putting things in place where we can apply and raise some funds to get some K1s.
“All of the K1s that we have currently are 20 years old and they are not the highest quality to begin with.
“Right now, it’s about getting them accustomed to these surfski boats and giving them as much time on the water where I can help them.
“The more bodies we get to our competitions, the more exciting they can become.”
The TTCRF is committed to sending athletes to junior and senior international events over the coming years.
It is a goal which the TTCRF is eager to fulfill as it sets its sights on participation in ICF competitions and multi-sport events.
“I have been quite ambitious and I’m hoping that by the time we get to the next Pan American Games in 2027, I can encourage some more athletes to get involved,” added Robinson.
“Next year, we have the Central American and Caribbean Games where we hope to field two female athletes.
“With these boats from the ICF, they are an excellent start for us so I am hoping that within the next two years we could have male and female athletes competing in the CAC Games and Pan American Games.
“Once we get an upgrade of our K1s we will get more people competing internationally within the next five years.”
ICF Vice President Cecilia Farias said: “The project, conceived by the ICF in partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Canoeing and Rowing Federation, aims to maximise the available environmental opportunities through the use of Canoe Ocean Racing boats.
“We have many examples of world and Olympic champions who learned and developed their canoeing skills using ocean racing kayaks and then migrated to sprint canoe boats.
“As well as Trinidad and Tobago, paddle sports are taking place on islands throughout the Caribbean, including Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, Guadalupe and Jamaica.
“Some of them have sprint competitions and all of them have ocean racing.
“Races happen every weekend between islands, and I would like to invite paddlers from the world of paddle sports to enjoy the wonders of the Caribbean.”
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