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The award recognizes practices and behaviors that best serve the interests and success of USA Canoe/Kayak by improving performance, creating efficiencies or enhancing quality within the sport.

Winners receive gifts, cash and a commemorative trophy, along with their picture on the Havens Leadership Award page of the USA C/K website.

USA Canoe/Kayak recently announced Karla Westcott of the Wausau Canoe/Kayak Corp. and Jim Ross of the Washington Canoe Club as inaugural recipients of the Havens Leadership Award.

USA C/K Recognition Committee members will individually rate nominations and finalists will be determined through a points system and then passed to USA C/K's Executive Leadership Team who will make the final selection.

There will be at least one winner per year and every effort will be made to ensure a diverse representation of canoe/kayak disciplines and locations. Nomination is open to all USA C/K members except board members; no self nominations are allowed.

To nominate, download and complete the nomination form and send completed nomination form via email to [mail address protected from spambots with javascript] . More info: teamusa.org

According to the USA C/K website, the award honors the achievements of the Havens family. Charles "Bud" Havens competed in canoe/kayak when it was a demonstration sport at the Paris 1924 Summer Olympic Games, winning four medals. Bill Havens Sr. was also invited to the 1924 Games, but relinquished his seat on the team.

Bill Havens Jr. was invited to the 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games before they were cancelled. Both Bill Havens Jr. and Frank Havens competed in the London 1948 Olympic Games, with Frank winning Silver in the C1 10,000m. Frank claimed Gold in the C1 10,000, at 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland before finishing fourth and eighth at the next two Olympic Games.

Frank's son, Dan Havens, served as a volunteer Board member for the Washington Canoe Club for more than 30 years. Bill's son, Keith Havens, started a canoe club in Michigan, while another son, Kirk Havens, has volunteered for the American Canoe Association for several years.

"Years ago during a discussion with a colleague from the world of Canoe Slalom, we spoke of the people involved in the sport who are in it for the sport as opposed to those who are there for the shirt - the t-shirt or polo shirt which is given to officials and volunteers at most events. As someone who has always been for the sport, I am overwhelmed and humbled at being chosen as one of the inaugural recipients of the Havens Award. The commitment shown by the Havens family's support and participation in the sport through multiple generations has truly been an inspiration to all of us. We can't thank the Haven family enough for their dedication to the sport," said this year's winner, Karla Westcott, Wausau Canoe/Kayak Corp.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, USA Canoe/Kayak is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Canoe Federation. It governs the Olympic disciplines of Flatwater Sprint, Whitewater Slalom, the Paralympic discipline of Paracanoe and sanctions Freestyle, Marathon, Outrigger, Wildwater, Stand Up Paddle Board, Kayak Polo, Dragon Boat and Canoe Sailing in the United States. For more information about USA Canoe/Kayak, please visit us on the web at www.usack.org on Twitter at @usacanoekayak and Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/USACanoeKayak.
 

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