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July, 2007
Paddler Profiles by Paula: Tim Hladky
Interview by Paula Lunt
Now that flat water season is upon us, there are several paddlers that show up we don’t see during the white water season, Tim Hladky is one of them.
Tim, how is it that it happens we see you during flat water season and not white water season?
Good question, PJ. Interesting thing is I used to kayak in really rough stuff in the open ocean before I raced, first in regular-performance, fast touring kayaks and then a surf ski.
Looking back, some dangerous things: I almost always paddled by myself, as no one else would do what I did. I used to paddle from South Portland’s Willard Beach to Cousins Island in Yarmouth, paddle all the time out in Casco Bay around all the islands. I would go out in extreme wind and paddle in big waves and 30 mph winds.
I used to go out and paddle for 5-6 hours on the ocean or longer and come back at nighttime. I paddled in the thick fog out in Casco Bay without being able to see anything...just hearing the sound of boats. I have been caught in lightning storms on the ocean with bolts of lightning hitting the water and me miles from shore.
Once I went out in Portland's Casco Bay in a full blown snow storm in February in 2001...just because I could and dared to! I look back now and think how foolhardy!
My oldest brother (me the youngest) said I was really living on the edge.
Then I got into racing in 2000 when I was 39 and starting training on rivers more and more.
With the tippier kayaks I started getting into, I got away from the open ocean.
And now think more safely and of the fragility of life.
I have heard of experienced people getting killed in whitewater, so even though I really crossed the safety line out there in the open ocean by myself, somehow the whitewater thing seemed too much.
Yes, I realize the stuff I used to do was more dangerous than whitewater, most likely, but lots of things are.....perceptions of each individual.
And I love my narrow racing boats so much, I just can't bring myself to paddle a fatter, slower boat if it meant I had to to do white water :)
Have you ever tried paddling white water or do you ever think you’ll give it a try?
Mmmmmmaaaaaybe.......
I know you love to race, how did you get your start in the sport?
In 1997 when I was 36, I was painting a historical old home in Portland (my company is Landmark Painting), and saw two Valley Skerry kayaks. I asked him about the boats, as I was admiring their sleekness. I had never ever been in a kayak and prior never thought about kayaking. I came from a competitive sprinting background as a runner.
My client at the time lived right on a river and he took me down and plopped me in one of the kayaks and we paddled. He gave me some pointers, and he said I took to it very quickly and naturally and I was hooked immediately.
I love everything about the sport...the nice people, embrace and thrive on the competition, technical aspects, working on technique, strategies, different boats and tinkering, you name it. Love being on the water and the fluid, graceful and powerful sensation and always striving to be better. The healing aspects of the water. Gosh I wish I had picked up kayaking years ago.
Your enthusiasm towards kayak racing is immense, have you ever competed in the Nationals or New England’s?
No, have not but everyone has been asking me. I feel ready this year and may be doing them.
I know you love to paddle, how often do you train and how do you find the time? What do you do for a living?
Usually 4 times a week. As the owner of Landmark Painting, I take the time when I want to train.
In addition to you paddling, you have also gotten your wife Eve in a boat, did she paddle before the two of you met or is it something you got her doing?
Eve was renting plastic boats and what not when she went camping before we met; she said she longingly looked at nice composite kayaks. I bought her a nice Isle Au Haute kayak, which she loves, and she also has paddled the old Thunderbolt.
Additional ramblings……………
I find the people of kayaking are a very nice caliber of people...it tends to attract a certain type of person with a nice view on life and tranquility, the rhythm of kayaking...the rhythm of life.
Email nick [at] noumbrella [dot] com with your questions, comments and concerns.
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