Mike Dawson makes an art form out of twisting and turning his way through white water rapids – and that’s exactly the way he treats it.
Out on the canoe slalom course, he tries to be instinctive and dynamic in the choices he makes and the way he reacts to situations.
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Dawson explains there are two approaches athletes take in kayaking: To be incredibly planned and know every move you’re going to make out on the course; or just “let go” and allow instinct and experience to take hold, adjusting to situations as they arise.
Accuracy, is of course, vital. And heading to his second Olympic Games in Rio, the K1 paddler believes experience is everything.
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“To achieve accuracy through instinct you have to have learnt the technique and done a lot of work. If you’re not instinctive out on the course, you can become a lot slower in your processes,” says Dawson, who started in extreme kayaking and moved to canoe slalom.
“You need to learn the technique, and be consistent enough that you know where to use the technique and when “In many ways, it becomes second nature - like driving a car.”
There are so many variables out on the slalom course that demand precision. It’s crucial to know where to put the boat, and factor in the gradient of the platform and the differentiating currents.
That’s where Dawson’s mental state is also hugely important. “In canoe slalom most of the athletes have the same physical ability. The difference between the athletes comes from the mental state of the individual, and their ability to deliver what they’re capable of,” he says.
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“Things become especially difficult when the course doesn’t suit you. You have to work to make the course suit your style … this becomes easier with training and experience.”
Dawson, who was 15th in London 2012, has a strong relationship with his coach, Campbell Walsh. He is an analytical coach who likes to plan - providing some counterbalance to Dawson’s more “free” approach. “It makes us a great team.”
A physically demanding sport, canoe slalom can take a huge toll on a kayaker’s body. It can be difficult to stay accurate when you’re fatigued – especially when you’re relying on your instincts. “Your body is telling you to stop or give up but your mind has to make the decisions,” Dawson says.
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At the end of the course Dawson has to keep pushing and remain consistent. He achieves this by doing as much training as possible – the harder training sessions help push him through on race day. “You get used to being tired and still retain the ability to function instinctively at a high level. You effectively have to teach your body how to cope.”
Dawson says it’s inspiring to wear the silver fern, and be part of a close-knit Kiwi team. It’s his goal to inspire New Zealand kids to get into sport. “That’s the real meaning of success – not the medals.”