I am Mike Dostal, lucky enough to be father to two beautiful children Luke and Eva and to be married to Meg a lovely and truly supportive wife. I have also been selected to represent the USA at the 2017 Kayak Marathon World Championships in South Africa. So here is my campaign to get to South Africa and have the opportunity to compete against the world's best (before my wife realizes this is not normal behavior)!
Marathon Kayak racing is fun; but not in the traditional sense of the word. The race is about 20 miles which is the fun part but then you typically also have 7 portages included in that distance. This means you have to get out of the kayak and sprint with it before getting back in to continue.
The funds I am able to raise will go toward air fare, boat rental, accommodation, race entries, and all the things that enable me to get to South Africa to race. Unfortunately, the funding for kayaking in the USA is not enough to cover these costs and so athletes are largely self funded.
To be selected to represent the USA at the World Championships you have to place 1st or 2nd at the National Team Trials. This year the trials were held in Sugarland, Texas at the end of April. I travelled down a couple of days before the race and was able to win the trials race by about 5 mins. For a great race write up and results take a look at the link below: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Canoe-Kayak/Features/2017/June/16/2017-Marathon-Team-Trials
I hope to be able to make it to the World Championships in South Africa and am training and preparing as such. A huge thanks to all that have already helped me especially my wife Meg, Dave and Ed at Stellar Kayaks for the awesome boats, Michael at Braca for the paddles and the Weba Ergometer, Sue at Lenox Fit (the best gym in the Berkshires) and the guys I get to paddle with each week.
Updates
Comments
Name | Comment |
---|---|
Edward Boyajian | Good luck Mike. |
Joe Dorant | Good Luck Mike !!! |
PAUL HERMANSKI | BEST OF LUCK, MIKE. YOU ARE THE ONLY OLYMPIAN I KNOW. GO FOR IT! |
Meat Night Crew! | Steve says you are the sleeper! Good luck! Race strong! Stay in the boat! |
Scott Winters | Wish you the best Mike. |
Ed Lausier | Good luck Mike!!!!!! Go USA |
Russell Duval | Go Mike |
Amer Raza | Wish You Good Luck Mike.... |
ginny akabane | Have fun!! Go fast! |
Anonymous | Good Luck! |
Emmanuel Andrade | Here's a small contribution from an architect at DCAMM. Good luck in South Africa, buddy! |
Scott Leisey | Good luck Mike!!! |
Janet M. Vitiello | GO FOR YOUR DREAM, GOOD LUCK! |
Roger Wykes | Good Luck Mike |
Matt Drayer | I'd wish you luck, but you don't need it -- you are having a great year! Stay on target, race hard, and don't forget to enjoy the experience :) |
Michael Sholock | Mike, Good luck we are rooting for you !!! |
Steve and Anna | Best of luck! |
Jim & Emily | Traitor!!! |
Anonymous | Go get 'em Mike! |
Dave and Marianne Hall | Go Mike! |
Alex Skelton | Good luck, Dostal. Unleash the fury. |
Ali Walton | Good luck, Mike! |
Michael Blair | Thanks for making yourself available during the clinics - great information. Good luck! |
FastPaddler.com | Good Luck Mike!! |
The Kurko Family | Congrats! We know you will do great!! |
Gary Williams | Good luck Mike. |
Toddy | Amazing - inspiring stuff! |
Erin Milne | Go, Mike, go! |
Henry | Good luck Mike - get after it. |
Joe White | Kick ass! |
Boosters
Name | Comment | |
---|---|---|
![]() |
Edward Boyajian
|
Good luck Mike.
|
![]() |
Joe Dorant
|
Good Luck Mike !!!
|
![]() |
PAUL HERMANSKI
|
BEST OF LUCK, MIKE. YOU ARE THE ONLY OLYMPIAN I KNOW. GO FOR IT!
|
![]() |
Anonymous
|
|
![]() |
BEN PIGOTT
|
|
![]() |
Meat Night Crew!
|
Steve says you are the sleeper!
Good luck! Race strong! Stay in the boat!
|
![]() |
Mark Griffin
|
|
![]() |
Scott Winters
|
Wish you the best Mike.
|
![]() |
Ed Lausier
|
Good luck Mike!!!!!! Go USA
|
![]() |
Russell Duval
|
Go Mike
|
![]() |
Amer Raza
|
Wish You Good Luck Mike....
|
![]() |
ginny akabane
|
Have fun!! Go fast!
|
![]() |
Anonymous
|
Good Luck!
|
![]() |
Emmanuel Andrade
|
Here's a small contribution from an architect at DCAMM. Good luck in South Africa, buddy!
|
![]() |
Paul Kirk
|
|
![]() |
Timothy Paris
|
|
![]() |
Scott Leisey
|
Good luck Mike!!!
|
![]() |
Janet M. Vitiello
|
GO FOR YOUR DREAM, GOOD LUCK!
|
![]() |
Anonymous
|
|
![]() |
Roger Wykes
|
Good Luck Mike
|
![]() |
Matt Drayer
|
I'd wish you luck, but you don't need it -- you are having a great year! Stay on target, race hard, and don't forget to enjoy the experience :)
|
![]() |
Charlie Najimy
|
|
![]() |
Anonymous
|
|
![]() |
Michael Sholock
|
Mike, Good luck we are rooting for you !!!
|
![]() |
Mike & Anne Bastoni
|
|
![]() |
Steve and Anna
|
Best of luck!
|
![]() |
MOSES Member
|
|
![]() |
Jim & Emily
|
Traitor!!!
|
![]() |
Anonymous
|
Go get 'em Mike!
|
![]() |
Dave and Marianne Hall
|
Go Mike!
|