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Giddens, Rebecca
- Two-time Olympian (2000, 2004)
- 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the K1
- 1999 U.S World Championship Team - Silver Medal
- A member of the World team
- Favorite Book: Harry Potter
- Hobbies: Collecting coins from every country she has been to.
- Favorite Movie: Goonies
- Favorite Vacation Spot: North Carolina Cashiers
- Most Admires: My husband (U.S. Kayaker Eric Giddens) and my sister
- ESPN Student of the Month - 1994
- Was the subject of a documentary produced by Wisconsin Public Television
- Other sports: Surfboarding, rock climbing, mountain biking volleyball, basketball
- Motto: Remind yourself why you got into the sport- For the love of the game!
- Favorite Food: Mexican
- Greatest Kayaking moment: 2002 Gold medal World Championship & 2000 Olympics
Giddens was 10-years-old when she became interested in kayaking. It was at a local camp and her whole family was involved. The instructor of the camp was also a slalom racer and spent time with her family. After the camp, he continued to travel with them and encouraged Giddens to compete both nationally and internationally. After high school, Giddens moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State specifically for the training opportunities and to become acquainted with the other national team members. She stopped going to school in 1999 to focus on training for the 2000 Olympics, which she recalls as one of her greatest kayaking and personal life moments. After living in Atlanta for about five and a half years, she moved to San Diego and lives approximately 30 minutes from the ARCO training center. She and her husband, Eric Giddens, also a kayker on the National Team, consistently train through weightlifting, long and short distance water work outs, and flatwater paddling. They also do a variety of cross training with roller blading, hiking, biking, and surfing. In November, they host a white water training camp in Atlanta, while in February they travel to France for workouts. In March and April, they travel four hours every weekend to Bakersfield, Calif. to battle the Current River. Giddens feels the greatest experience she can have is being able to share her passion and kayaking experiences with someone she loves. It is a passion both Rebecca and Eric possess and he does nothing but encourage her and vice versa.
Related Links:
Q&A: Kayker Rebecca Giddens on her 2003 World title
"I always try to go back and remind myself why I got into the sport- before I have a run,
I have to remember that I do this because I love it."
"I am a strong believer in living each day to the fullest and not taking things for granted.
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Height: 5'7
Born: 9/19/1977
Hometown: Greenbay, Wis.
Resides: San Diego, Calif.
Sport: Canoe/Kayak
Event: K1 Flat Kayak- Slalom
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