What is the signature part of Olympia Sports Camp? Is it the Norwegian-inspired main dining hall? Is it the Zip Line or the Big Tower? Is it the 5 basketball courts laid out with Oxbow Lake as a backdrop? For many, including Stand Up Paddling ( SUP) coach Ariel Amaral, it is the 1,500 feet of shoreline that captures the true beauty of life at Interlaken. The A Frame docking system that is the centre point of activity throughout the day and the many paddle boards, canoes, kayaks and sailboats make it an aspect of Olympia Sports camp that is the envy of most camps in Canada. And It's where Ariel shines.
It was the waterfront that attracted Ariel Amaral to Olympia in the first place. Never having come to Olympia as a camper, Ariel visited a friend who was a counsellor at the time, went for a quick swim, and that's all it took. Ariel has been coaching at Olympia coming up to ten years in the summer of 2025. She has never missed a year; not when her baby was born, not during Covid. What does Olympia mean to the Amaral household? To her the week at Olympia is as exciting as Christmas. In two wise words she calls Olympia "playful beauty."
The journey to Olympia and world level paddle boarding shows the quick learning and fitness, strength and athletic ability of Ariel Amaral. On a trip to Hawaii in 2008 at the age of 25, Ariel first tried SUP. By 2010 she bought her first board and then in 2011 she took up racing. By 2016 she was at her first World Championships.
Ariel's journey in SUP has taken her to Denmark, Peru, China and the U.S. The best part for Olympia is that every summer she shares her experiences with her campers. Her message deals with skill development as well as the important attributes of physical strength through committed training and the importance of the mental strength it takes to truly compete at your best.
Just a couple of weeks ago in Sarasota Florida both attributes were on display as Ariel competed in her first Master's category world championships, where she competed in the 100m sprints, 1000m technical and 11km ( 11km!?) distance race. With a jam-packed schedule Ariel finished a gut-wrenching fourth ( fourth in the world! ) in the sprint finals and then the next day she made the podium with a second place finish in the distance event. A world silver medalist! It was her first ever and she was overjoyed!
For those of us who have seen Ariel train on OxBow, her technique and power are impressive and the distance race is something we knew she'd be great at, and a silver at the worlds is something to be very proud of. Ariel, for sure, but also all those who work with Ariel at camp, where you instill the ideals of the hero's journey, and Ariel's journey is an example. We inspire each other. It's cool to know that her story about this year's I'm sure the journey will be one of Ariel's reflections to her campers in the summer of 2025.
Ariel loves the speed and power of sprint SUP, but there is proof that she also loves the challenge of distance Paddle Boarding. She loves the the challenges that the sport provides her in the numerous lakes across Ontario, including the beauty of nearby Kempenfelt Bay, and all the Great Lakes. She feels that there are some truly magical lakes in the north where the water is clear and the only distractions are wildlife . Her favourite moment in SUP was when she became the first woman to complete the 65km SUP4MS ( SUP for MS) charity event that took her across Lake Ontario.
Success has followed Ariel throughout her career. Starting her new pursuit at 25, SUP has been part of her life since 2008. She won a few SUP series races in 2013, and then in 2014 she earned the Woman's Series Overall Champion. She was the Women's Elite Champion in 2014, 2016, and 2017. In 2015 she used her success to organize the first Annual BLU WAVE PADDLE 4 THE CURE and they raised $15,000 in that first year.
Ariel's reflection on her journey says it all.
" I love to use SUP as a vehicle for adventure, speed, discovery, instruction, fitness, friends, and above all, family."
Ariel adds, " I gain significant motivation from Chris Bertish a South African author, surfer, and waterman. who is always pushing the boundaries of human possibilities. I hope to have Chris come speak at Olympia next summer. His message to the campers will be all about goal setting. Dream It, See It, Believe It, Achieve It."
The campers this summer are going to hear some great motivational messages with Coach Amaral. Sign up today! Congrats Ariel on the personal success and thanks for inspiring many others. And thanks for sharing.
