Walker Valley’s George Bennett Qualifies For World Championships in Kayaking

A Walker Valley high school student is on pace to make the Olympics in Kayaking.

News 12’s Brian Armstrong spoke to George Bennett about how he has been able to qualify for the World Championships in Poland at just 16 years old.

Said Bennett:”I knew I had trained hard for it so I was kind of expecting it. Not to brag or anything but just knowing how hard I trained for it I think I can do it.”

Bennett  spends his free time in the water in a kayak, but he the way he rides is different then the way most other do.

Bennett:”Talking to people are like oh yeah I’ve been kayaking. And I’m like yeah but not in the same way. Everyone’s been on the lake I do actual Rapids. Big drops, holes stuff that can really flip you and throw you off.”

Several years ago he has to beg his parents to get him a kayak.

Bennett:”I saw it online and seen it on the water and I was like this looks super cool will you guys please get me one. They’re like no. Two years go by and finally they got me one of the cheap $200 you can find at Walmart. Then I got that thing went paddling it a few times and I was already exceeding what it was capable of.”

Now after just 5 years George is going to Poland to race in the U18 world championship. He qualified through time trials in Oklahoma but due to race results being delays it took hours after his race to find out if he qualified or not.

Bennett:”So stressful because I don’t know what release the times immediately so you don’t know where you placed until a few hours after the race is over. With all of us standing there we were just like super stressed wondering if I won or not and then finally they announced it and it was just like I made it.”

At just 16 years old George is this years youngest U.S. qualifier.

Bennett:”Just so hard to believe just starting five years ago I never thought I would make it this far. It’s supposed to be a hobby and kind of something I do on the side never thought I’d be something I could actually go and do.”

Now if he finishes in the top sport at the world championships he will qualify for the Olympics.

Bennett:”The world championships is how you perform as what gets you to the Olympics so if I do really bad in the world championships there’s no way I’m making it to the Olympics. It’s not like more important but you need it to get to the Olympics. It’s definitely a very very important race.”