There’s no question that the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club has bragging rights. For the 13th time, the club has captured a national championship title, beating out the next-placing team by more than 200 points. They brought home the coveted Yonkers Trophy that represents the best team in the nation.

Dozens of Lake Lanier athletes traveled to Bethel, Ohio for the late July/early August championship and recorded a record-breaking 143 official medal-winning finishes across individual and team competitions. Participants ranged in age from 8 to over 70 years old.

LCKC Head Coach Erika Medveczky, an Olympian and eight-time World Champion, said she was especially proud of how completely the athletes committed themselves to the competition.

“I’m so proud of our athletes. They gave everything they had, and they truly deserved this win,” Medveczky said. “My hope is that we continue to grow – bigger and better – while becoming even more professional and proficient in our sport. This championship is something they worked incredibly hard for, and I’m very proud of what they accomplished.”

Kim Martin, LCKC executive director, said the championship reflects not only the dedication of LCKC’s athletes, but also the caliber of coaching available to paddlers in the Gainesville community.

“The elite-level coaching we have at LCKC brings so much to our organization and gives athletes at every level an opportunity to learn, grow and reach their potential,” Martin said. “I also want to invite our community to come out, tour the boathouse and try paddling. This is such a unique lifelong sport, and we are incredibly fortunate to have it available right here in our community. Whether you’re 7 or 97, you don’t need Olympic aspirations to get on the water. There is a place for everyone at LCKC.”

The victory marks LCKC’s 13th national championship and adds another chapter to a paddling legacy that began at Lake Lanier more than three decades ago. LCKC’s national championship years are 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017, 2024 and 2026.

For information about LCKC programs, sponsorship opportunities or ways to support athletes, visit LCKC.org.

Photos: by Geary Bush