Posted on: Friday, May 28, 2004

Kailua kayaker going to Athens

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

You can add another Hawai'i paddler to the list of Olympic athletes.

Andy Bussey of Kailua received the surprising news this week that he was selected to represent the United States in the men's flat-water kayak competition at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

"I was shocked," said Bussey, a 1997 graduate of Punahou School. "I thought the team was set, so I had all but moved on. I was actually on the way to the airport getting ready to leave for another trip when the coach called me and said I had to come back to start training because I was on the Olympic team."

Only three spots were available for this year's USA men's Olympic kayaking team. After the qualifying events, Bussey was fourth — essentially the first alternate.

However, one member of the team declined his spot for personal reasons, opening the way for Bussey.

"I made a lot of improvement this year," Bussey said. "That's why when I didn't make the team at first, I wasn't let down with my performance. I knew I trained well and was going as fast as I had ever gone. Now, I just have to focus on improving even more."

Jeff Smoke of Michigan and Rami Zur of California are the only other members of the team. Bussey will practice with them at the Olympic Training Center in San Diego for the next few weeks.

They will then compete in several events in Europe in June, then return to California in July for a final training session before the August Olympics.

Bussey said he is not sure which races he will paddle during the Olympics.

"I'm not even thinking about that yet," he said. "I don't think it's even hit me yet that I'm going to be in the Olympics."

The scenario seemed unlikely only a year ago. Chris Ball, president of the Hawai'i Canoe & Kayak Team, said Bussey "didn't seem motivated" at the 2003 United States Championships.

"I paddled with him at nationals, and it seemed like he was interested in going back to school," Ball said. "But he made up his mind to train instead, and it paid off for him."

Bussey said he took a year off from his studies at UC Irvine to train for a spot on the Olympic team.

"I got my butt kicked a lot over the years," he said. "But that made me realize the commitment it took to make it on this level."

Bussey will be one of three Hawai'i paddlers at the 2004 Olympics. Kathy Colin of Kailua and Lauren Spalding of Maui are on the women's team.

"So many kids grow up in the ocean in Hawai'i," Bussey said. "There's just so much talent when it comes to the water sports. It'll be an honor for me to represent Hawai'i as well as my country."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.