The first time I ever spoke openly with Francisco Pandolfi Jimenez, we were on the banks of the Ottawa River. It had just rained, leaving a knee-high mist across the valley floor. It was remarkably humid, feeling more like Panama than Eastern Canada in autumn. As we unloaded kayaks and wet gear, Francisco began telling me about his intro into the sport in his home country of Argentina. Raised by a hard working single-mother and inspired by the competitive culture of Argentine slalom racing, Francisco’s story left an impression upon me. It was a tale that was raw, honest, and full of emotion, something I was not expecting out of a 16-year-old. Francisco’s path to arrive on the Ottawa River came despite adversity, with sacrifice, hard work, competitiveness, and passion.…
You're reading a preview of
Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Summer 2019