Off Interstate 35, a small house owned by David and Debbie Powers has quietly played the part of paddling training ground the past three years to anyone ranging from casual bird watchers to members of the U. S. Kayak/Canoe team.

Now, the Olympic Outdoor Center in San Marcos houses Red River Racing, a nonprofit organization named after the surrounding region. Red River Racing provides instruction for children and seasoned veterans alike, and its members would like to take the word "quietly" out of the equation.

"We really want to make kayaking available to anyone so they can get out on the water and just enjoy it," said U. S. Kayak/Canoe team member Michelle Kvanli. "It's a lot of fun, and there's something for everyone."

Kvanli, a Texas State alumna who competed at the Olympic trials for whitewater kayaking in April, works as an instructor at the center, where people can rent tubes or take kayak and canoe lessons in white water, flat water, swift water and rescue.

"We go out to lakes and rivers, and our races are anywhere between 15 and 26 miles long," Kvanli said of the
U.S. marathon team of which she is a part.

Kvanli said that this year's Summer Olympics in Athens have contributed to a growing interest in her sport.

"It's kind of interesting," Kvlani said. "Business hasn't really picked up because of the beginning of school, but at the hospital I work (at) in Austin, people are like, 'Whoa, I saw kayaking on TV. Is that what you do? Cool!' "

The center plays host to many of the top paddlers in the nation, who frequent the San Marcos River to train or provide volunteer instruction for children and Junior Olympic hopefuls. In February, some of the men from the U. S. canoe team held lessons for children at the center

"We had four or five of the top C1ers and C2ers (doubles canoes) come down this winter and do a camp," M.Kvanli said. "It's great training here. We get people from all over the country, which is why it's great to have this center here."

Michelle Kvanli verified that all trainers at the center are American Canoe Association certified, and the staff includes current U.S. team members and former Olympic athletes such as Michelle Kvanli's husband, Ben Kvanli, who competed in the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.

"He was pretty excited about that," Michelle Kvanli said. "The kayaking was actually done just across the border in Tennessee, and the river over there is really awesome."

Kvanli graduated in May, also from Texas State, with a degree in marketing, and his goals are to run the center and bring kayaking into the mainstream of sports, according to Michelle Kvanli

The center provides lessons on the weekends with options for half-, full- or three-day courses, and will work with people who call in to find the best times for them. As an added bonus, students taking a weekend class can call at a later date and take the same class as a refresher course for free.

"The lessons are fabulous, and I'm always impressed by how patient Ben and Michelle and anyone who works here are with the kayakers," said Dallas native Melanie Barry, who was kayaking here in San Marcos for the third time this summer.

"I would say I'm a beginner, maybe hedging on intermediate, but I'm definitely comfortable on the water," she said.

When asked how often she comes to the river, Barry replied "not nearly enough," perhaps a testament to the quality of instruction one receives from the OOC.

Other activities include The Texas Water Safari, a marathon, which starts at Aquarena Springs, goes through the Guadalupe River and finishes at the coast.

Among the more original events are open rodeo competitions, nicknamed "Sladeos," generally held twice a year during the months of February/March and November.

"Those are a lot of fun," Kvanli said. "You get points for cartwheels and different tricks you do in your kayak. It's great to watch to see what kind of crazy stunts people will do."

Another interesting activity is kayak polo. Kvanli is a member of the national team of this international sport.

"I'm playing with the women's team in Austin, and they're headed to team trials in October," she said. "It's kind of like soccer in kayaks."

With all the competition in which the center is involved, one may be hesitant to try out the sport, but Kvanli insists the center and the fun that comes with it are open to anyone.

"Some people just want to go tubing and enjoy the afternoon or just need a user-friendly boat to go fishing in, and that's cool too. We're all about people having a good time," Kvanli said. "We don't want people thinking they can't get involved and that we're super intense."

"I love the wildlife . and just being out on the water and getting wet is exciting," said Jess McDonald, who was accompanying Barry for the day.

Those wishing to take advantage of that environment, a consistently comfortable water temperature and the facilities at the POC can call 512. 203.0093 or visit the Web site at KayakInstruction.org.

Red River Racing finds Home at Olympic Outdoor Center
By Christopher Boehm, Sports Reporter - University Star

www.UniversityStar.com