Top canoeing athlete shares experience with young kayakers

Top canoeing athlete Christopher Camilleri shared some winning tips and techniques with the children taking part in a kayaking session organized by KMS SkolaSport and sponsored by Kellogg’s.

A Sportiv tas-Sena 2010 finalist, Mr Camilleri is a well known name in the canoeing and kayaking circle. Mr Camilleri participated in various international races the latest being the Dubai Shamaal surfski race in 2010 in which he placed 45^th out of 170 athletes hailing from 26 countries around the world. As President of the Malta Canoeing Racing Club (MCRC), Mr Camilleri actively seeks to promote sports for all ages, as a way of life, and since MCRC partakes in the KMS SkolaSport activities, children’s events are seen as the way forward.

“Canoeing and kayaking are an ideal and safe way to introduce children to sea related sports,” said Mr Camilleri “it is true that you will have that odd dip every now and then, but that’s part of the fun!”

Canoeing and kayaking besides being a low impact activity, since paddling offers little friction, can also improve one’s aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. Specific health benefits include, improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, particularly in the back, arms, shoulders and chest, from moving the paddle, and increased torso and leg strength, as the strength to power a canoe or kayak comes mainly from rotating the torso and by applying pressure with the legs.

“Kayaking and canoeing can be peaceful and meditative, the rhythmic movement of the arms creates an almost hypnotic effect,” added Mr Camilleri, “the fact that one can enjoy and experience the beautiful sea spaces only helps in making the sport even more attractive.” 

KMS SkolaSport is organised by the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport and is sponsored by Kellogg’s, the world’s leading producer of breakfast cereal, for the twelfth consecutive year as part of its commitment to promote the benefits of a balanced diet, coupled with an active and healthy lifestyle.

For further information about canoeing, as well as any other sport discipline practiced at the KMS SkolaSport, kindly contact the Programmes Section at the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport Head Office either on tel. 21660658/9, via e-mail: programmes@sportsmalta.org.mt or visit the KMS website: www.sportsmalta.org.mt.