Dr. Seuss had it right when penning what has become a graduation standard: "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!"
One of the most quoted lines is "Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed. (98 and 3⁄4 percent guaranteed)."
It could have been written with Rachel Kincaid in mind. The Mid-Pacific senior graduates Saturday with her international baccalaureate diploma as well as hopes, dreams and big travel plans.
Among the places she’ll go within the next few months are Lake Placid, N.Y., (Olympic Training Center); Seattle (USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Championships); and San Diego (University of San Diego freshman). London (2012 Olympics) is not on the itinerary, but Brazil (2016 Olympics) is for Kincaid, named to the USACK’s junior national sprint kayak team earlier this month.
"The Olympics, that’s the goal," Kincaid said. "If not 2016, then 2020, wherever it will be held. I will be in the Olympics."
That attitude and drive is what has set her apart, Hawaii Canoe & Kayak Team coach Shelley Oates-Wilding said.
"Right from the time I started coaching her, she exuded championship qualities," Oates-Wilding said. "She got what I was trying to teach — not just the technique but the goal-setting, all the extra mental things that go with being a champion.
"She is very focused, mature beyond her years as an athlete. And she’s very good at time management, which is important when you’re trying to succeed in school and training at the national level. I feel she can and will go as far as she wants to go."
Kincaid’s journey has long been centered on the water. Her parents, Chris and Genie, are longtime paddlers for Outrigger Canoe Club, and it was the natural thing for Rachel to follow their strokes during regatta season.
Then kayaking found her right as she was starting her high school athletic career. Then-HCKT coach Robyn Singh suggested that Kincaid join the team that has produced a number of national- and international-caliber athletes from Hawaii.
"My mom thought it would help me with my canoe paddling and of course I said yes because I wanted to get better at paddling," Kincaid said. "Both of my parents were kayakers back in the day before everyone started paddling one-mans (OC-1s).
"There are a lot of similarities with outriggers and kayaks. The canoe is a lot more stable because of the ama (outrigger float). But I can still feel the same catch whatever blade I have."
What has helped Kincaid is her experience as a stroker. Setting the pace and adjusting to what is needed is key in racing.
"You need to know what makes the boat run," she said. "You have to be strong up there. Everyone is matching you and you have to be steady. You can’t do it by yourself.
"I get put in different seats but I do prefer ‘1′ (stroker). I guess it sounds commanding, but I like being in charge."
This summer, Kincaid will be racing K-1, K-2 and K-4. In the fall, she’ll be trying out for the USD women’s crew team as well as making the 25-mile drive down to Chula Vista, site of the ARCO Olympic Training Center, for kayak training.
"I’m lucky that I’ll be able to stay on the water," said Kincaid, who is leaning toward a biology major. "And the San Diego Canoe & Kayak Team on Mission Bay, which is near USD, has said I can train with them whenever I needed.
"I’m excited about it all. College, traveling, competing. This is what I want to do and I will keep working to do it."
