Over the years, pulling together a team of slalom paddlers has not been an easy task for Hungary.
Sara Timea Seprenyi often felt like a lone warrior as a female athlete navigating international slalom courses.
But now Seprenyi is in Krakow, Poland with a six-strong squad competing at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
Such was the lack of female paddlers representing Hungary back in 2017, Seprenyi was allowed to compete in the men’s kayak teams event at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Pau.
“I always wanted to have a team as I was mostly alone as a female athlete,” said Seprenyi.
“Once in Pau in 2017, myself, Marcel Potocny and Koppany Racz raced in the men’s teams, when it was still allowed so I could just feel the team spirit, but we never had a junior or U23 team.”
This week has seen Daniel Bartok, Simon Guiot, Gergely Neszmelyi, Sara Nyari, Adelin Petrik and Sara Szijjarto-Szabo represent Hungary in Krakow.
It was an historic moment for Hungary as Szijjarto-Szabo, Nyari and Petrik competed in the women’s U23 kayak teams and Gout, Neszmelyi and Bartok featured in the men’s junior kayak teams.
“I am so happy that we have enough kids for this event and they are not just fighting for themselves,” said Seprenyi.
“I think this event helps to improve them and see other obstacles. They have to take care of their lines and don’t miss their lines because others are counting on them.
“It’s a long process but more fun than just one K1 event.”
Seprenyi insists the progress has been huge, but she is still determined to take Hungarian slalom to new heights.
“I’m super proud that my kids are paddling on harder courses with stoppers already in such a short time,” said Seprenyi.
“Last year they still swam in Solkan during the Europeans but now they able to come down in Krakow with the boys not missing any gates.
“For the future, we definitely need to improve on the speed and race without mistakes.
“That is the next step.
“And for the kids at home, they just need to paddle as much as possible.”
Seprenyi was put in charge of launching Hungary’s first-ever Canoe Slalom programme at the start of 2025.
Since then, participation has picked up and Hungary recently opened its first whitewater venue with Dunaremete hosting the ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Cup last month.
“In the past year, the programme has grown quite big,” said Seprenyi.
“The course was done last May and since then there has been a big change. Not just in the level of athletes but also the way people see slalom in Hungary.
“They have started to believe that we can also have a whitewater sport.
“We had an international kids race last September and then a Wildwater Canoeing World Cup in June.
“We have many youngsters who have started paddling. In the last championships we had 82 starts and this August I believe we will have more.
“The programme is so big that I’m a bit drowning in work.
“We need way more help in coaching but also in logistics and for future plans and programmes.”
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