Lynne Stokes, 55
Outrigger, Dragon Boat, mountain biker, weight trainer, soccer and flag football. Medalist in multiple World Police and Fire games in mountain biking, indoor rowing, arm wrestling and bench press.
Teams: FGPC competitive outrigger, Canadian National Women’s 50 Outrigger team in Tahiti 2017, IVF World Distance race.
“I am most looking forward to racing and training with the FGPC competitive crew again. As the saying goes, six bodies, one mind, one spirit.”
Lynne Stokes is a stream leader with Fairway Gorge’s competitive outrigger program. She’s known for her athleticism and her unwaveringly positive attitude.
Q: What inspires you most about paddling?/What do you enjoy most about paddling?
A: What I enjoy the most about paddling is the physical challenge, being in nature on the water and sharing the experience with like-minded people. It’s a perfect trilogy.
Q: How would you describe how paddling and the paddling community has affected your life?
A: Paddling has taken the place of team competitive sports for me, specifically soccer and football. As an aging athlete, it has provided a competitive team experience whereby we’re working together to achieve a common goal.
Q: How active were you before COVID-19 hit? What are you doing now?
A: Pre-COVID I was very active in mountain biking, paddling and weight training. The only change since COVID is lack of team training. I’m still doing a similar level of physical activity.
Q: Have you learned anything positive about yourself or your community as a result of the crisis?
A: Since this crisis I have been so amazed at the number of people that have gotten into OC1 paddling. It is awesome. I have also been impressed with everyone’s resiliency in getting out on their own and staying motivated.
Q: When it comes to paddling, is there a person, event or team that has a special memory for you?
A: I have loved racing with our competitive womens’ crew at FGPC. I have also loved doing some Hawaiian races with our FGPC team.
Q: Is there a coach or mentor you’d like to recognize, and why?
A: I would like to acknowledge the incredible job the staff and management at FGPC have done in the midst of this pandemic. The programs and services that FGPC staff have created or modified to accommodate existing paddlers but also encouraging new paddlers to join the sport have been incredible.
Q: When this crisis passes, in terms of paddling, what are you looking forward to the most when normalcy returns?
I am most looking forward to racing and training with the FGPC competitive crew again. As the saying goes, six bodies, one mind, one spirit.
