Olympics: Kayaking

Local Slalomers

They have known and raced against each other since they were children. Considered among the fastest slalomers in the world, whitewater kayakers Scott Parsons, 25, and Brett Heyl, 22, finished first and second at the U.S. Olympic trials in South Bend, Ind. Both are training in the Washington area.

Olympic qualifiers Parsons and Heyl, both from Bethesda, Md., will join Post staff writer John Mullen online Wednesday, May 19 at 2 p.m. ET to answer your questions on kayaking and the upcoming Olympics.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Hi. We're here and happy to answer questions about slalom and the Olympics and pretty much anything else....

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Washington, D.C.: Hey guys, Congrats!!!
Hope you can help a novice...I'm just starting out with whitewater kayaking, and am wondering what kinds of workouts to do out of the water. Are there specific muscle groups to concentrate on or anything? Thanks!

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Hi. This is John. I have not paddled that long (compared to these guys, who've been at it for years) but one thing I've noticed is you need to have strong core muscles--the stomach and back. So, do as many types of situps as you can, as well as jogging for base endurance, with the goal being when you get in your boat you'll have good muscular coordination, strength and balance.....

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Washington, D.C.: Do you have security concerns in the back of your mind, or is this life long goal so big that you can put any concern behind you?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Brett: When I was in Athens I felt completely safe, and anything that might happen will happen whether you worry about it or not...

Scott: I feel exactly the same as Brett. The goal is so big that you just put everything else out of your mind to focus on the event.

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Brookmont Md.: Scott and Brett,

For the past ten years, the US men kayakers have paddled in the shadow of Scott Shipley. The C-boats had the same situation with Davey Hearn and Jon Lugbill for the past 25. How have things changed from your point of view, suddenly emerging at the top, rather than racing for second?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Scott: Honestly I haven't even really thought about it.....It just sort of happened. It's just sort of the natural progression of the way things work out. You keep training and working hard. ...If you keep working at it eventually it becomes your time.

Brett: Sometimes it feels like I still am racing for second. But hopefully my time will come....

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Bethesda, Md.: Hey Guys,

Scott & Brett: I've heard that the salt water on the Athens course is rough on your eyes... true?

Scott, Brett, & John: OK, competition-wise, are all you guys planning on attending Nationals in nearby Dickerson, MD this Fall?

See you on the Feeder,
Adam

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Scott: For me the first 20 minutes of almost every workout at Athens--the salt water definitely burns, but my eyes adjust to it. But it's pretty individual. For some people it doesn't bother as much. For some people it bothers more...

Brett: The sun compounds the problem because of the reflection off of the whitewater. Because of the salt in the water, all of the water is white, so it makes reading the water a lot more difficult.

John: Hey Adam, good to hear from you. As for nationals, we'll all be there. Are you going to do the attainment race at the Potomac Festival? That should be cool....

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Bethesda, Md.: When do you get to practice on the Athens Whitewater Course again?

Who would you like be there watching you compete in your first Olympic Games?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Brett: We will be back there in the end of June for a few weeks, and then off to the World Cups and back to Athens for a few weeks before the Games.

Scott: Lucky for me the people who I would like to be there to watch me compete will be there :)

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Arlington Heights, Ill.: How does the Athens course compare in difficulty to other World Cup venues?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Scott: HI! It is one of the more challenging courses on the circuit. The whitewater is very challenging, and it is conducive to great courses.

Brett: I agree. There might be harder sections on other courses, but the Athens course is difficult from top to bottom.

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washingtonpost.com: What sort of technological advances have there been in kayaking? I'm assuming your boats are now made of some sort of space-age material? What sort of restrictions are there as far as weight and so forth?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Brett: Yes, our boats are made of Carbon, Kevlar, and epoxy, with varying cores. There are restrictions on how long and wide a boat must be, as well as a minimum weight.

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washingtonpost.com: Will we get to watch you guys compete? Has NBC said whether it will televise any whitewater events?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: All: NBC will cover the event, but we do not know what times. We have had good coverage in the past, and have been told it will only be getting better this year. Check www.usack.org for more info closer to the event.

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Bellefonte, Pa.: Does the added buoyancy of salt-water affect the boat designs that will be used in Athens?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Scott: There is a noticable difference, but not enough to affect boat design. There is also not really enough time to test and get used to a new boat.

Brett: I agree. Some people are using boats with smaller sterns, but neither of us will change.

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Toledo, Ohio: John,
You are a writer/paddler, a perspective that most writers don't have.
I've felt that US Slalom Athletes have not been given the respect they deserve in a very physically/mentally demanding sport.
What are your thoughts on Whitewater Slalom and what it takes for these guy's to get to this level.

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: John: Whitewater slalom is the most difficult sport, physically and mentally, that I have ever taken part in. I have only paddled for two years and am just now learning how a boat moves on the water, instead of thrashing around. As for Scott and Brett they are at an entirely different level, which I might understand intellectually, but I am still light-years away from paddling at their technical level.

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Bethesda, Md.: Scottie and Bretty, who has influenced you in reaching your goal of becoming Olympians? -Mindy

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Brett: Hi class! I have had some great friends along the way who have helped me more than I could ever describe. My parents were also very, very supportive. I would have to give David Mitchell credit for lighting the flame within to want to be the best, and it is still burning to this day.

Scott: Hi Mindy! Past Olympians such as Richie Weiss and Eric Giddens. These guys inspried me to be the type of Olympianc that they both were. They did it for the right reasons. Also family and friends were huge influences. Especially my partner Lauren Bixby and our Cat, Hank.

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Embarrassed, USA: I know this is dumb, but what exactly is whitewater slalom? I've never heard of it before I read the article this morning, and it seemed to assume that the readers would know what it is. Is it like skiing slalom in that you try to make the fastest time through the course while avoiding the most gates?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Brett: You are more right than you might think. I was a skier before this, and they are very similar.

John: It is very much like slalom skiing, except imagine that you are skiing on top of an avalanche, while trying to go around gates. Everything is in constant movement, big holes, waves and currents and you have to know exactly where you are going.

All: Go to www.usack.org for a good explanation

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Bryson City: Guys,

With the average kayaker paddling a boat under 8 feet long, do you think the 2005 ICF rule on minimum boat length goes far enough to help slalom regain support from non-racing paddlers.

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: All: The new rules did a good job stiking a compromise between keeping slalom kayaking the same sport, and accomodating the pressures to make the boats shorter. A larger issue might be the construction of the boats. Plastic boats are much more appealing to the everyday boater, so seeing slalom boats manufactured in plastic might accomplish the goal. Plastic is more durable and forgiving than composites. You can drop it off your car and not worry!

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Bethesda, Md.: I was wondering you guys are getting any endorsment deals out of this or does kayaking pay pretty well?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Brett and Scott: Everyone who races in Whitewater slalom is doing it for the love of the sport. There is pretty much no financial support, and certainly not enough to make a living. Most Olympic Kayakers will retire in Debt.

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Bethesda, Md.: My son is interested in getting into kayaking and I was wondering where a good place to start would be, examples being summer camps or something like that?

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: All: There are a bunch of great paddling schools around. Liquid Adventures, Valley Mill, and Calleva offer comprehensive programs for all levels, from beginners to those interested in racing. You can find their websites online.

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Bethesda, MD: Hi Guys, I was just wondering, how has
the sport changed from 5 to 10 years ago
for all of us who used to throw down with
you?
Local Retiree Josh

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Scott and Brett: The biggest change has been the length of courses, how much shorter they have gotten. This has forced athletes to change their training to be more explosive, and taking the fastest line. Pretty much how you used to train! Are you ready to un-retire?

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Atlanta, Ga.: Hey guys, it's Matt. I've got a class full of kids who are curious about the Olympics, paddling, etc. One question they have for you: how old were you when you started paddling? And just for you, Scotty: is Hank a fat, skinny or muscular cat? See you tomorrow. -Matt

Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Scott: Hey kids! (That includes you Matt!) I started having fun in my family's boats when I was about 6 or 7. I started to get more serious when I was about 11 or 12. As for Hank... He is a skinny Fat Cat who likes to talk a lot.

Brett: Hi Class! I started to paddle about the same time that I started slalom. I was 9 when I first got in the boat, and by age 10 I was racing at the Junior Nationals. It is never too soon to start kayaking. Some people start as early as 2 yrs old! It makes for a great photo!

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Scott Parsons and Brett Heyl and John Mullen: Thank you all for your great questions. We are sorry that we couldn't answer all of them, but our hour is up...

See you in Athens!

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