By MONIKA PLATEK
CTVOlympics.ca Staff
Mark Oldershaw was introduced to a paddle at a very young age. His earliest childhood memories are set in the back of his dad’s boat at the Burloak Canoe Club in Oakville; however his attachment to the sport of canoe/kayak runs much deeper.
Many years before the 28-year-old Oldershaw was born, his grandfather Bert paddled in pursuit of a medal at the London 1948 Olympic Games. It isn’t a coincidence that the younger Oldershaw will be paddling with the same aspirations in the very same city next summer.
“I grew up with the tradition surrounding me. It was a great atmosphere to grow up in. The seed was planted in me when I was young,” said Oldershaw, now one of Canada’s top sprint canoeists.
A memento of the Oldershaw Family legacy hangs on the wall in his room in Burlington, Ont., the very same paddle that Bert used to compete the last time the Games were held in London. It is inscribed with a personal message, along with the signatures of fellow participants from those Games. At more than 60 years old, the paddle has greater significance today than ever before with the London 2012 Olympic Games quickly approaching.
“It’s definitely a motivator. It’s just a really good feeling to see it and it brings my whole family together.”
Although Bert Oldershaw has since passed away, his love for the Olympic Games continues to live on through his grandson.
“(My grandfather) was always super proud to be an Olympian and I do remember that London was very special for him. One of his best memories was going to London for the Games.”
The Oldershaw’s family connection to Olympic canoe/kayak extends even further. Scott Oldershaw, Mark’s father and coach, as well as his two uncles Dean and Reed also competed at the Olympic level. This makes Mark the fifth member of his family to contend for a medal in canoe/kayak with the hopes of becoming the first Oldershaw ever to reach an Olympic podium.
“I want to win at the Olympics. Obviously I’ll be happy to get my best result and perform well but I don’t see the point in aiming any lower.”
There’s room for improvement since his last performance on the Olympic stage; Oldershaw failed to qualify for the final after placing fourth in the semifinal in the C-1 500 metres in Beijing 2008.
All that may change as earlier this month Oldershaw not only reached the podium but topped it, capturing gold at the London Canoe Sprint Invitational in the men’s C-
1 1000 metres. This is the same course that he’ll compete on next year in London 2012.
“Any time I go up against World Champions and Olympic Champions and beat them it’s a huge boost to my confidence. To know that I’m comfortable on that course is a great feeling. I’m super pumped to get back next year,” said Oldershaw, still beaming about the win. “All this year and next year I can picture myself doing the exact same thing and thinking, ‘Yes, I can win here, I can beat these guys.'”
Oldershaw did not have as much success at the 2011 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Szeged, Hungary in August with a fifth-place finish, although his performance did guarantee Canada a spot in the C-1 1000 metres at London 2012 next summer.
“Right after the race I was a little disappointed. It’s always frustrating when you don’t have your absolute best race. I didn’t get the luck that day but that’s how racing goes. Some days you get lucky and some days you don’t.”
Oldershaw will spend the rest of the summer recuperating and resting his body after a busy racing season.
“The last few weeks have been pretty hectic but at the same time that’s what I live for! Racing at the Worlds, the Nationals and the Pre-Olympic Regatta; that’s all I ever dreamed about as a kid.”
Oldershaw doesn’t have to go far to find inspiration in the months leading up to the Games; with one glance up at the wall in his room, he’ll remember what he’s paddling for.
