Donate Calendar
Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka makes her Olympic debut in Women’s Kayak 4 (K-4) 500m this summer in Paris. Photo via canoeicf.com.

613 in Paris: Ottawa kayaker, Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka, “honoured to represent our community in Paris”

By Kiefer Uuksulainen on August 5, 2024

“613 in Paris” is our nine-part series profiling Olympic athletes representing Ottawa-Gatineau at Paris 2024. These written interviews, conducted before the competition, delve into each athlete’s experience with pandemic-era training, inspiration and community support, competition-day routines and rituals, and key elements to watch for in their respective sports.

Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka paddles into Paris as the youngest of the Canadian Women’s Kayak 4 (K-4) team, all making their Olympic debuts. She shares the boat with Manotick’s Natalie Davison in the Women’s K-4 500m event.

Toshka Besharah-Hrebacka makes her Olympic debut in Women’s Kayak 4 (K-4) 500m this summer in Paris. Photo via canoeicf.com.

Apt613 connected with the 21-year-old kayaker in Ottawa for a written interview before she crossed the pond to Paris. In the interview, Besharah-Hrebacka extends “heartfelt gratitude” to her supporters, emphasizes the “unique significance” of Ottawa’s waterways, and invites readers inside the pre-race team huddle.

Responses have been edited for clarity and length.

Besharah-Hrebacka in a Rideau Canoe Club singlet. The club fuelled her earliest Olympic aspirations. Photo by Dana Benadova via danabenadova_photography on Instagram (used with permission).

Besharah-Hrebacka’s journey to the Olympics began as a ripple on the Rideau River. She first got her feet wet at Rideau Canoe Club’s introductory summer camps and committed to their summer-long program at eight years old.

“I owe much of my journey to the Rideau Canoe Club,” says Besharah-Hrebacka. “It was here that I first believed in my potential to become an Olympian. It has been around for over 120 years and is the home to many Olympians, World Champion medalists, and passionate young athletes on the path to reaching their dreams.”

Besharah-Hrebacka presents to fellow Rideau Canoe Club members in 2023. Photo via Toshka Besharah/LinkedIn.

Besharah-Hrebacka made waves in her international debut on the senior circuit, winning bronze in the Women’s K-2 200m at the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships followed by gold one week later in the Women’s K-2 500m at the 2022 Pan American Canoe Sprint Championships, both with teammate Andréanne Langlois.

Besharah-Hrebacka celebrates her third-place finish in the Women’s K-2 200m at the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Photo via canoe_2022/Instagram.

The 21-year-old kayaker is motivated by “the chance to represent my country on the world stage, alongside my teammates who share the same passion and drive, fuels my determination. It’s about striving for perfection, embracing challenges, and inspiring others through the power of sport.”

No stranger to choppy waters, Besharah-Hrebacka says that Covid-era training “forced me to adapt in ways I never thought possible. Setting up home gyms, utilizing virtual coaching, and finding creative methods to maintain fitness have made me more resilient and resourceful.”

View post on imgur.com

The paddler enters Paris 2024 with palpable enthusiasm now that spectators can fill the stands: “I’m incredibly excited for the fans to return to the [Olympic] Games! I can’t wait to experience the energy from the Team Canada cheering section, filled with family and friends who can share these moments with us. Their energy and enthusiasm bring so much to the atmosphere, and it’s truly inspiring to feel their support and pride.”

Besharah-Hrebacka is happy to show support right back. “I extend heartfelt gratitude to all the coaches, volunteers, parents, and fellow athletes who have supported me on this journey, providing motivation, leading training sessions, and organizing competitions that have brought me to this monumental moment.”

Besharah-Hrebacka (right) celebrates with her Paris-bound teammates and coach after clinching an Olympic berth at the 2023 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. Photo via tosshkaa/Instagram.

The kayaker emphasizes the importance of her community and teammates. “While I am honoured to represent our community in Paris, I am just one of many athletes who have competed internationally over the past [few] years. Training alongside these dedicated individuals is an immense source of motivation for me. My journey to the [Olympic] team would not have been possible without their daily presence at the [Rideau Canoe] Club to push and inspire me.”

For Besharah-Hrebacka, training on the water goes beyond competition. “Our waterways hold a unique significance,” says Besharah-Hrebacka. “The Rideau River is pretty incredible, [it’s been] a historic transportation route for over a millennium. Our sport began right here in Canada, in our own backyard, where we’ve been paddling these waters for a thousand years. It’s quite remarkable. We are privileged to compete in kayaks and canoes, connecting us to our Indigenous ancestors and heritage.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toshka Besharah (@tosshkaa)

Besharah-Hrebacka shares that “coordination and power are key to achieving the best performance” in Canoe/Kayak Sprint events. Individual (K-1), doubles (K-2), or fours (K-4) competitions take place on a straight water course over set distances. “Success in K-4 relies on perfect synchronization, teamwork, and efficient technique,” says Besharah-Hrebacka. “We always focus on timing our paddle entries precisely in sync with one another to maximize speed and minimize drag. Team dynamics, trust, and communication are crucial, as even minor misalignments can affect the boat’s speed and direction.”

Besharah-Hrebacka brings readers inside the quartet’s secret to success on competition days. “Before every race, we gather in a circle for a moment of collective calm. Together, we take three deep breaths, exhaling the last one with a powerful release, often resulting in a cheer-like exhale. This routine helps us release nervous energy, focus our minds, and approach the race with a positive mindset.”

Besharah-Hrebacka dips into the Olympic competition in the Women’s Kayak 4 (K-4) 500m competition, set for August 6 (with the Semifinals and Final on August 8).

Keep an eye out for all athletes representing Ottawa-Gatineau in Paris—those marked with an asterisk (*) have been covered as part of our local Olympian series: