Joe Jacobi

United States Olympic Gold Medalist & Network Television Sports Analyst

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So You Want To Be A Kayak Instructor

July 2nd, 2009 · Uncategorized

Since retiring from competitive canoeing five years ago, one of my most interesting journeys has been the path to becoming a better kayak instructor. No superlatives here – just a commitment to constantly getting better. One such opportunity is coming your way July 29-August 2, 2009 in the Washington, DC area on the Potomac River as Kent Ford leads an American Canoe Association Instructor Certification Clinic. Sunny Pitcher and I will be joining Kent and hope you will too. Space is limited so sign up today!

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Finding Purpose Beyond The Paddle

June 23rd, 2009 · Uncategorized

We all know that kayaking is a cool sport, full of great people and takes us to amazing destinations. But paddlers creating and finding purpose in kayaking is my new favorite part of the sport.  Think Brad Ludden or Joe Mornini. Now add fellow kayak instructor, father, and friend Bill Hester to that list as “Paddling For a Purpose” takes him on a 1,000 mile journey from Bryson City, North Carolina to Mobile, Alabama raising scholarship dollars in his father’s memory. A week into his trip, Bill reflects on the “nuts and bolts” of turning your a favorite activity into something more purposeful:

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A Game Changer for Whitewater Kayaking

June 3rd, 2009 · Uncategorized

My 1992 Olympic Teammate Eric Jackson created a revolutionary kayak. Thanks to his boat, you have a revolutionary opportunity to try the sport of whitewater kayaking on America’s Olympic River.

OAC Kayaking does have size restrictions for its Dynamic Duo program so please check with us to see if this is the right adventure for you!

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A Special Kayaking Opportunity in Wausau, Wisconsin

May 31st, 2009 · Uncategorized

Need to tune up your whitewater skills for the mid-western kayking season? Is improving mobility and agility through a rapid something you’ve been wanting to work on? Join me for the Ray McLain Memorial Training Camp in Wausau, Wisconsin this June as we re-focus elements of slalom racing to improve your overall whitewater skills while honoring one of the legends of whitewater.

I’ll be organzing and coaching workouts at the Wausau Whitewater Course June 24-26, coaching at the open slalom race on June 27th, and coaching at the “Dash for Cash” and Slalom Survior on June 28th. For more information, check WausauWhitewater.org or contact Julie Walraven at (715) 574-5263 or email Julie at wkcc@dwave.net.

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Ocoee #3 Lake Kayaking with Ocoee Adventure Center

May 30th, 2009 · Uncategorized

oac-logo1Check out the ease and beauty of paddling your own kayak on Ocoee #3 Lake with professional guides from Ocoee Adventure Center.

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Do Performance Cuts Really Help Us Perform?

May 20th, 2009 · Uncategorized

Thoughts and questions following USA Canoe/Kayak Slalom Trials about how we win:

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How To Challenge The Status Quo

May 11th, 2009 · Uncategorized

Energy and motivation to achieve something significant can come from a variety of places. No matter where you are in your process, checking in with Seth Godin can never hurt. As an unashamed fan, it’s a daily occurrence for me. Here’s an easy and entertaining 17 minutes of Seth at this year’s TED conference.

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Whitewater Competition For The Rest Of Us

May 1st, 2009 · Uncategorized

gmc-logoLast fall, our friends at World Kayak welcomed Gold Medal Connections’ Slalom Survivor into their line-up of whitewater events for the “rest of us.” While we’ve never been so happy to see all the elite athletes of canoe/kayak pushing their personal limits, we did see a widening gap between kayak racing and kayaking. Many folks that just want to have fun competing with their boats. Which is what makes the Gold Medal Connections partnership with World Kayak so natural. Take a look at this short video that showcases Slalom Survivor as it was played the 2009 Gold Medal Camp on the Kern River in Kernville, California. And then go to WorldKayak.com and find a place to play this summer!

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My Career Renegade Podcast

April 30th, 2009 · Uncategorized

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Jonathan Fields, author of “Career Renegade: How To Make A Great Living Doing What You Love,” recently chose me for a Career Renegade podcast for his blog, CareerRenegade.com. During the one hour conversation, we discuss funding an Olympic pursuit, the role of family, life lessons from the river, broadcasting and more. Definitely the most revealing and in-depth interview I’ve done since retiring from competitive canoe racing. Check it out – free on iTunes:

http://www.careerrenegade.com/renegade-profile-olympic-gold-medalist-joe-jacobi/

I’ll be reviewing Jonathan’s book here soon but here’s an early tip. Read it!

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Talking Kids Kayak programs with Olympian Chris Barlow

April 25th, 2009 · Uncategorized

The idea behind any National Team Trials is that the best athletes come to one place and the race for the priveledge of representing the United States in international competition. Yet Team Trials facilitates a lot of conversation about the next generation of kayakers in the pipeline. Here in San Diego, 1992 Olympian, Chris Barlow, runs one of the best kids programs you’ll find and took a few minutes to talk about the San Diego Canoe & Kayak Team.

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