PEOPLE | CULTURE | HAPPENINGS | TRENDS beach bites Challenging Surf to Sound “The word has gotten out about Wrightsville Beach SUP,” says Larry Cain, decorated canoe and SUP athlete, coach, speaker and Olympic medalist. “There’s not a better race in the world than the Carolina Cup, and no location anywhere in the world better than Wrightsville Beach. … It is an absolutely remarkable place.” Cain began his athletic career at the Burloak Canoe Club in Oakville, Ontario, at the age of 11. “What attracted me to the water then is what still attracts me now,” Cain explains. “I get away from everything that exists in life on land. It’s just me, my paddle and my boat or my board on the water. It’s a place of independence that I could and still can discover and challenge myself.” The Elite By THOMAS VAN ARSDALE In 1967, Cain watched John Wood win the silver medal for Canada in the 500 meter single canoe during the Montreal Summer Olympics. His life goal was solidified, and eight years later, at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, 21-year-old Cain won the gold in the 500 meter single canoe and silver medal in the 1000 meter single canoe. He competed in three Olympic games and ten world champion-ships during his 17 years on the national Canadian sprint canoe team, and was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. After 13 years coaching canoe in Canada, Cain was introduced to standup paddleboarding in 2010 and found another passion. “The whole experience felt very natural to me … and even liberating Defending North Carolina Surf to Sound Challenge champion and former Canadian Olympic Gold Medal sprint canoeist, Larry Cain, strokes his way to another victory November 17, 2012, in Banks Channel. WBM FILE PHOTO 13 www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
2014-11
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