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< July/August 2002
	Paddle People
Dancing With Water An Interview With Karen Knight Kent Ford

Karen Knight is the reigning National Champion of freestyle canoeing, a title she has held since 1996. For those who haven’t seen freestyle, and particularly Knight, imagine an ice skating or gymnastics routine—in a canoe. Done to music, the competitions are frequently at night, and are the cutting edge of flatwater canoe technique. Not only is Knight a champion paddler, she is an instructor and ambassador of paddlesports, holding certifications to teach freestyle, coastal kayaking and whitewater canoeing with the ACA. She travels frequently, teaching, competing and giving demonstrations aimed at spreading the pastime she is passionate about. We caught up with her between time spent on the dance floor.

Paddler: Your paddling is phenomenal. How did you develop the artistic ability?

Knight: I was never a physically gifted athlete, but I’ve always had a lot of heart, determination and the drive to practice even the most basic skills to make myself become the best I could be. I’ve approached athletic activities with the philosophy advocated by German poet Johann C. Schiller: "Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly ever acquire the skill to do difficult things easily."

What I lack in power, I’ve replaced by using good technique ("doing more with less"), attuning myself to the flow of the environment and having "the patience to do simple things perfectly." Early on I laid a good foundation for future successes in paddling. From ages 5 through 10, I took lessons in ballet, tap dancing, baton twirling and gymnastics. Nine years ago I watched my first freestyle canoeing demonstration—it moved me to tears. Freestyle combined everything that I loved: graceful, fluid and efficient movements, artistic expression, water, paddling and the chance to entertain. As I watched, my inner voice spoke so clearly to me: "I could be really good at this, and with my gymnastics and dance background I could take this form of canoeing to a new level."

Paddler: What sorts of routines are you working on now?

Knight: I’m working to develop a kayaking equivalent to freestyle canoeing. Kayaks and canoes are not just modes of transportation; they can be your partner in dancing on the water and "quietwater playboating." People often ask what I do for training. I spend as much time on the water as I can, stretch, do a lot of balance exercises and seek alternative activities to enhance my paddling. I’ve taken belly dancing, Tai Chi, yoga, ballet, etc. I’ve been asked if I ever get bored with this sport. How can I? My mind has so many ideas for future moves. The trick is training my body to do them.

Paddler: Have you seen the freestyle parody in The Legend of Team C?

Knight: No, I haven’t, but I’d love to. People have told me it’s pretty funny and I love a good laugh, even if I’m laughing at myself. Freestyle canoeing has been the butt of several jokes, some deservedly so. Many people think it looks so easy...until they get in the boat and then end up in the water. It has a lot in common with Tai Chi. Both are like water: graceful and fluid with subtle power, and when done correctly they look deceivingly simple. Both require attention, both inwardly focused and directed outward to the world. Balance and coordination, relaxation of the body, awareness and concentration, posture and slow, continuous movements are a few other common characteristics.

Paddler: Who might enjoy freestyle paddling?

Knight: The youngest student I ever taught was a 5-year-old girl from the Netherlands. She didn’t speak English and I don’t speak Dutch, but we communicated just fine and had a marvelous time. The oldest paddler I’ve worked with is in her mid-80s, and is smaller than I am. Currently, I’m coaching a woman in her 60s who has a disability. She has such a strong desire to compete in the Nationals and refuses to let her disability be a barrier. Freestyle is a sport for all ages, shapes and sizes. You don’t have to be a gymnast, dancer, or gifted athlete to enjoy it.

Paddler: What’s the state of freestyle paddling?

Knight: Although freestyle has been around for a while now, many paddlers still don’t know much about it. Growth is slow in the U.S., but I’m optimistic. I’ve been over to Europe three times to teach clinics and give demonstrations. The response has been positive. The folks in the Netherlands loved it and held their first competition last year. They have lots of canals and flat water, so freestyle is a perfect match. In September 2000 I went to Japan to promote paddlesports and

in particular, freestyle. It was well received and there’s a good chance I’ll be going back.

Paddler: What’s your style and philosophy?

Knight: I’ve taken out the seat and thwarts in my canoe. Except for my pad, it’s an empty shell. By taking these away, I’m able to explore how my body must move to maintain balance and a quiet boat; plus, it gives me total freedom to move around in the canoe. No longer do I stay in the middle of the boat, but go to the bow or stern deck, to create quietwater canoeing’s equivalent to an ender.

I strive to have presence on the water. I want to engage my audience, whether it’s spectators or students. I want them to share in my love of canoeing. When I do a routine, I don’t just paddle with music in the background, I try to interpret the music with my body movements, facial expressions, eye contact with the audience, my boat, my paddle, my costumes, my attitude...everything. Even changing my attitude creates style. Many freestylers focus on what their boat and paddle do, but they don’t study the body. I focus on the body in detail. I don’t want to make just my boat dance, but I want to dance with my boat.

—Author Kent Ford is host and writer for several instructional materials including Breakthru! and The Kayaker’s Playbook. Find tips at www.performancevideo.com.