Watch Video7-year-old girl a kayaking phenom
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
Published Fri May 09, 2008, 10:20 AM MDT
Updated Fri May 09, 2008, 02:20 PM MDT
This weekend, dozens of competitive kayakers will put their skills to the test on the Truckee River in Reno, Nevada’s River Races.
One of those competitors, believe it or not, is only seven years old. Sage Donnelly surfs the rapids and practices rolling her kayak. She's pumped for the upcoming competition. "Now I have a roll, and I’m much more comfortable, so I think I might get first place, hopefully, this time," Sage Donnelly said.
Donnelly scouts the Truckee River looking for the perfect route to run for the freestyle event. She's aggressive and skilled as she makes her way through the rapids. This is her third year competing in the Reno River Races. "Last year I was scared because I flipped over twice and I didn't have my "roll" down," Donnelly said.
But now she's hoping to come in first. She puts in hours of practice, spending at least five days a week on the river. She says she owes most of her success to her parents who put her in a tandem kayak as a baby and had her paddling her own boat at age five.
"Getting children started earlier and earlier, hopefully inspires others to get out on the river," said Sage’s dad Matthew Donnelly. Sage is also a diabetic who's learned just how far she can push her limits.
"She's very aware of how she feels, so I think it's made her stronger and more mature to actually be able to handle the river even more," Matthew Donnelly said.
She's friends with kayaking professionals. World champion Eric Jackson even designed her boat. "We're friends, they cheer me on. They say, "Yeah Sage!" and stuff like that," Donnelly said.
So while Sage has her eyes set on a more challenging class of rapids she's certainly in a class of her own right now.
