Karl Magda (L), and Mike Dillon win gold in the 5000m K2 event.
Mike Dillon, who will be 64 in September, is an engineer and president of Spurlock & Associates, Inc. as well as an active member of the Masters kayak group at Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club (LCKC).
Mike first came to Lake Lanier in 2003. After a knee injury took him out of competitive running, he began looking for an alternative workout option. After several years of paddling around the lake by his home, he found LCKC in 2017. When he first joined the club, he practiced in a stable recreational boat. As his skills progressed, he moved up to a slightly “tippier” boat and after falling into the water more than he would like to admit, he realized he needed work on his balance and paddling skills. “Equipment matters,” said Dillon, after a teammate shared a different paddle that suited him better. He stopped tipping over and began to truly enjoy the sport.
His hard work over the years has paid off. This year at the 2024 ACA Nationals, he was part of five team events that medaled. But his shining moment was winning the gold medal in the 5000m K2 with friend and teammate Karoli “Karl” Magda, 69, who was a previous National Champion in Hungary.
This year, points earned by LCKC Masters paddlers accounted for almost half the points that led LCKC to win the entire 2024 ACA National Championships.
Mike said the Masters group, (30+ years old) is more than just a paddling group. The comradery, superior coaching, excellent facilities, great workout and beauty of nature on Lake Lanier keep him interested and motivated in the sport and competition each year. Dillon said he wished he had found the club earlier when his children were young because “the sport is such a great teacher of respect for yourself and others and working as a team.”
LCKC Masters Group
That spirit creates a longevity and loyalty with the club and its members. LCKC Masters Coach Walker Peck came up through the club as a kid, continues to paddle in competitions and has grown the LCKC Masters group. Peck won awards in this year’s Nationals as well.
Peck and Andrew Surles (Southeast Paddle Sports) won the Beachem & Van Dyke Trophy for Senior Men’s 1000m K2.
Morgan House, Aaron Mullican, Walker Peck, Zsolt Szadovszki – all of LCKC – won the Eric Feicht Memorial Award for Senior Men 1000m K4.
Community sponsors also contribute to the success of the club. This year, Mike’s employer, Spurlock & Associates, donated two tents sporting the LCKC logo for team athletes, coaches and volunteers to use during competitions. For information about LCKC paddling programs visit: exploregainesville.org.
Click here for the complete list of medal winners, provided by LCKC.
Story photos: by Julianna Magda, Cover photo of Dillon: by Kim Martin
