Creating future Olympians is the philosophy driving Coach Janusz Zebracki as he moves to Oklahoma City to create a new competitive kayaking program at RIVERSPORT in the Boathouse District. But his first job is introducing kids to the sport.
A native of Krakow, Poland, Zebracki has been a coach in the Olympic sport of Canoe Slalom in Poland for over 20 years, first serving as the Junior Head Coach, U-23 Head Coach and later the Head Coach of the Senior Canoe Slalom Olympic teams. Zebracki has coached the Poland Senior Team at three Olympic Games and numerous World Championships. Before becoming a coach, Zebracki was a member of the Polish National Team in Canoe Slalom.
“We are introducing children to the water in a safe and entertaining way. Students may not know which discipline they would like to pursue, so we want them to try everything” Zebracki said. “We have a world-class river for flatwater paddling and a world-class whitewater kayaking facility right in the heart of Oklahoma City, and there is no better place for young kayakers to train.”
A 20-year coaching veteran in the sport of canoe/kayak in Poland, Zebracki has coached at all levels of the sport from kids just getting on the water to Olympians competing at the Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012) Olympic Games.