Red River Racing Team

Olympic Development Program

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
- Baron Pierre de Coubertin,
the founder of the modern Olympic Games

History of the Red River Racing Team Olympic Development Program/ Red River Racing Today/

Leading the Way-The Coaches/ History of the Junior Olympics/ Goals of the Junior Olympic Program/

Where We've Been-Past Championships/ Home Sweet Home/ Red River Racing Athletes

/ Looking Toward the Future

Learn More about Canoe and Kayak Slalom Here!!

History of the Red River Racing Team Olympic Development Program

The Red River Racing Team Began after the 1996 Olympics, which helped bring paddling into the mainstream of business and recreation.
In 1996, the central area U.S. development was handed down to Patty Clements, and renamed the Red River Division. Patty started a Junior Olympic program under the guidelines of USA Canoe and Kayak, and Mark Poindexter fielded the first Red River team in the first ever Junior Olympics held in Wausau, WI. This first Red River Racing Team included Michelle Clements a future Team coach.
In 1997, Patty Clements and Mary Beth Kvanli organized training camps along the racing circuit in Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina. Ben Kvanli became the official head coach of the Junior Olympic Program, and fielded a team of 3 athletes in the Junior Olympics in Charlotte, NC. For the first time athletes were recruited in the fall and winter with the addition of camps and clinics on the warm, spring fed San Marcos and Comal Rivers. Pool sessions at the Texin's club in Dallas, Texas helped kids as young as 7 to take up kayaking in the extra small gear that the team provided.
In 1998, a group of parents added to Patty and Mary Beth's organizing efforts to put on several training camps again in Texas, Colorado, and North Carolina. As a result, team members qualified for additional USA Junior Development camps in Virginia, and Indiana where the Junior Olympics and the National Championships were held. The first US Pool Slalom National Championships were held at the TI Pool sessions in Dallas. These pool slaloms are still used to have fun and initiate kids into racing!
In 1999, Don Walls hosted a Junior Olympic Qualifier in Arkansas. Along with Olympians Wayne Dickert, and Horace Holden, Ben Kvanli helped to recruit, transport, and coach more young people. Ben Kvanli and Michelle Clements coached 13 young people who trained all summer for the Junior Olympics and the Nationals. Ben, with the help of many others, set up Red River as an official non- profit. David Lamb also offered his equipment and knowledge for Kayak marathon, sprint, and Polo, adding more opportunities for the team.
In 2000, The Red River Racing Team hosted an Olympic Team Trials Qualifier at the Six Flags Over Texas park in Arlington, Texas. Red River Racing then hosted the 2000 Junior Olympics at Six Flags again later that summer. The team got to compete on home ground for the first time! The team then made trips to Colorado for the Eddie Bauer Whitewater Series and to Tennessee for the World Cup.
In 2001, David and Debbie Power purchased land for a training center in February 2001. The Power Olympic Outdoor Center opened officially in March after nearly 24 hour a day renovations done by the Powers, Carey Newton, Michelle and Ben. The summer brought the enjoyment of the center for clinics and training camps, and a whole new generation of team members represented this area at the US Junior Olympics in North Carolina

Red River Racing Today

Today the Red River Racing Team is a non-profit racing organization dedicated to helping athletes around the country to achieve their Canoe and Kayak racing dreams!

Our gear, trips, and camps are mostly funded through donations and classes taught through the Power Olympic Outdoor Center in San Marcos, Texas.

The Olympic Development Program seeks to introduce kids to Olympic ideals and help them to become healthy, happy, confident athletes.

Leading the Way- The Coaches

Ben Kvanli is a 1996 Olympian in Whitewater Slalom Men's kayak. He has competed in numerous world cup, and World Championship competitions. Ben has participated in the Kayak Sprint World Championships, Marathon Team Trials, and Kayak Polo Nationals. He is the head coach of the Red River Racing Team, and the founder of the Power Olympic Outdoor Center. Ben is currently competing for the U.S. in Men's Double canoe and shooting for a spot on the U. S. Olympic Team for the Beijing games in 2008. Read more about Ben here!!

Michelle Clements has been competing in kayak races for over 12 years. She is a three time Junior Olympian, placing 4 th in 1998. Michelle is a 3 time member of the U.S. Kayak Marathon Team, and has won second at the Kayak Polo National Championships. Michelle is a head coach for the Red River Racing Team Junior Olympic program, and is the manager, and a head instructor for the Power Olympic Outdoor Center, in San Marcos Texas. Michelle is currently in the top 10 of U.S. Women whitewater racers, and is working on making the U.S. National Whitewater Team. Michelle is working to compete n in the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Read more about Michelle here!!

History of the Junior Olympics

The Junior Olympics themselves were started in 1996 by Olympian Wayne Dickert as a US Development Team tool. Today, this event is a multi-paddlesport Junior Olympics that attracts international competition. The Junior Olympics is working to be a sanctioned international event.

The Junior Olympics seeks to inspire and develop athletes that will one day compete on the United States Canoe and Kayak Team. All Juniors must qualify to race at a JO qualifier to be able to compete at the Junior Olympics. The Red River Racing Team hosts a Junior Olympic Qualifier as a part of our Summer Kid's Camp! Contact us for Details!

Goals of the Junior Olympic Program

We seek to inspire kids to reach for their dreams so that they will succeed in their goals in sport, coaching, and Life! n We seek to continue to support the Junior Olympic movement here in the US by working with the American Slalom Excellence Program to develop athletes for the larger Olympic Movement. n We wish to educate kids on the river environment and water safety.

Where We've Been: Past Junior Olympic Championships

Wausau, Wisconsin
Charlotte, North Carolina
Richmond, Virginia
Golden, Colorado
Wesser, North Carolina
Arlington, Texas
Southbend, Indiana
This year's Junior Olympics will be held in Chilliwack, British Columbia

Home Sweet Home- The Power Olympic Outdoor Center!!

The Power Olympic Outdoor Center in San Marcos, Texas!!! The pristine San Marcos River provides warm water training and the chance to educate kids on the river environment. The POC allows us to share our love of the river with people from around the world and to help fund the Red River Racing Team programs.