Kathy Manizza Profile

Kathy Manizza	Bolton, CT
Surfski(s) currently paddle:	Huki S1-R
Paddles you use:	Until August of last summer, I’d only tried an Epic mid. I now have a Max 3 and so far, I love it- it is a smaller blade, and a very narrow shaft. About the same weight as my epic
How long have you been paddling?	I started paddling marathon canoes in 1994 or 1995. I had a running injury and was looking for another sport. I found that I loved it, and instead of cross training for running, I now run to cross train for paddling (plus running is my job)
Primary Paddling Location:	Ken and I live on Bolton Lake, so we train there a lot. It’s a nice pond, but way too many laps! On longer training days we go to the CT or Farmington River, or to the Ocean. Try to paddle w/ friends whenever possible.
Favorite Surfski Race, Why?	I loved the Mayor’s Cup. And the Blackburn. I like long races- the longer the better. I’m actually much more comfortable on flatwater and particularly in shallow river races. The Run of the Charles and New England Championships are my favorite local races. The AuSable and Classique are my favorite all time races.
Main Training Partner if any:	My husband- Ken Larson
Racing Accomplishments	96 - won C-2 nationals w/ Tricia Heed, 2nd in c-1 and in mixed. 97- named USCA “paddler of the year”, won mixed Classique in Canada w/ Bill Gardner 98 - won c-2 nationals w/ Lynne Capen, 2nd in mixed Won the AuSable marathon (120 miles) with Joe Shaw, and Classique w/ Joe Shaw 99 - raced General Clinton w/ Joe Shaw, AuSable, and Classique. I think we won the AuSable but were 2nd in the others. 2000 - raced General Clinton with Joe Glickman—getting him down that river may have been my biggest paddling accomplishment ever. It’s definitely provided the longest lasting stories and friendship. 2002 - USCA Nationals- 2nd in women’s, 4th in mixed, 3rd in c-1 2004 - won mixed nationals w/ Bill Torongo, 3rd in women’s, 2nd in C-1 Started OC-1 paddling. Started kayaking after the canoe nationals. Did Holyoke cup in a TBolt and won. 2005 - switched to kayak entirely. Won racing class of Blackburn and Jay Challenge in TBolt- vowed to get a ski K-1—1st at Run of the Charles, New Englands, several other NECKRA races, 2nd at USACK team trials. 2006 - started surfski paddling 1st at Blackburn, on short course K-1 – 1st in NECKRA point series 2007- 1st in Mayor’s Cup, did lots of surf ski races Lots of flatwater races too 2008- 2nd in USACK team trials in K-1 and in K-2 w/ Alex McClain 2nd to Alex in most surfski races, won a few flatwater races
Other Significant Athletic Accomplishments:	Well- I really WAS on the rodeo team in college, and the equestrian team. I grew up in Hawaii and was fortunate enough to go to a school with mandatory sports for all students. Paddling is now one of their sports, although it wasn’t when I was there. Swimming and horseback riding were my sports. I went to college specifically to continue with my equestrian goals. 1983- started racing in triathlons and bike races. Won a few, had a goal of the Ironman but a biking injury switched me to running. 1993- ran first marathon. Have run 5 more including Boston Also two 50K XC ski races- not very fast, but tons of fun My best races haven’t necessarily been wins, although winning is always fun. But having a great race with another person (in a C-2 or K-2) can be such a feeling of accomplishment. Teamwork, getting through the low points, or in the case of paddling w/ Joe Glickman- staying in the boat! Ken and I still run a lot, almost every day. And being a track coach, I run a bit with my team although I can’t keep up with them very often. That’s a good thing- it means my team is getting better!
What you like about surfskis, surfski racing, paddling:	I love being on the water. I like the fact that on the water there are no gender boundaries- if I can get on a good draft, I can race head to head with many of the men, and that is a lot of fun for me. At this point, I enjoy the social aspect the most. I don’t have any more goals of winning big races, but I love being able to train hard on a regular basis and in the ski particularly, the ability to continue to improve my skills. Kayak and surfski racing has been great fun. I’ve met a lot of new friends and been able to maintain old friendships with canoe racers. Sometimes they even let me draft them.