John Wood -- Reprinted from Larry Cain's Blog

Reprinted from Larry Cain's Blog John Wood (1950 – 2013)

TUESDAY, 29 JANUARY 2013

The other day I got the sad news that a great inspiration and role model John Wood, had passed away suddenly. Shocked, stunned, shattered…any of those words could describe the way I felt upon hearing the news. When you have a childhood hero he’s larger than life, and you just assume he’ll be there forever. The last few days I can’t stop thinking of the gaping hole his family must be facing, and the loss that so many others are feeling – from the entire Canadian paddling and Olympic communities to his many business associates and many, many friends. John was a guy who I always found was easy to talk to and quick to have a laugh. Obviously his accomplishments in canoeing made a huge impression on me, but the depth of his knowledge on a wide variety of things and the opinions he’d form from that knowledge always made an impression as well. I’m sure he made a similar impression on everyone in his life. To say he’ll be missed seems like such a pathetic understatement.

John Wood

1976 Olympic Silver Medallist in C1

John put Canadian canoe/kayak on his back in the 1970’s and pulled it out of a 24-year medal shutout at the Olympics when he reached the podium in the C1 500m at the 1976 Games in Montreal. I can clearly remember being a young paddler and watching that race on TV with my parents, then turning to them and saying,“that’s what I want to do.” The cool thing was that after he retired with a silver medal in the C2 500m at the 1977 World Championships with Gregg Smith, he settled in Oakville and paddled at our club. He was around regularly and always willing to offer his wisdom and experience to an eager young paddler totally consumed with the idea of following in his footsteps. I had great coaching from first Bill Collins and then Jim Reardon, and great role models and training partners like Brian Bliss who all played their part and, thankfully, were there as steadying influences after my dad died when I was 16. But it was John that was the inspiration. He’d shown what was possible. He’d reached the pinnacle and done what Canadian paddlers hadn’t been able to do for an entire generation. And he was a regular guy who just enjoyed paddling on the river for the sake of paddling itself. That was so cool.

I had to race against a lot of other great paddlers from all parts of the country to make it to the Junior Worlds and later the World Championships and Olympics. How fortunate was I to have John in my corner? With no exaggeration I can say that if I hadn’t had the relationship I developed with guys like Bill, Jim and John I wouldn’t have realized my own Olympic dreams and, if you want to take it a step further, wouldn’t have found dragon boat, outrigger and stand up paddling and all the unbelievable experiences and friendships paddling has given, and continues to give me.

2012 Olympic Send-OffJohn, me, Steve Giles 

John Wood Inspired Generations Of Paddlers

Reprinted from Canadian Sport Institute

January 29th, 2013

John Wood never hesitated to help a fellow paddler.

“He’d talk to anyone,” said Jim Reardon, who knew Wood since they teenagers and trained with him at McMaster University leading up to the 1972 Olympics in Munich. “If John was paddling by, he’d offer tips or words of encouragement, and he’d do that for anybody.”

But you would have to get up pretty early in the morning to benefit from the advice of the Olympic silver medallist. The Oakville resident would arrive at the Burloak Canoe Club, paddle for as many as 10-kilometres and be hauling his canoe out of the water as many of the athletes — most of them half his age — were arriving for their early-morning workouts. Then it was off to work for Wood, who built a successful career as a stockbroker and was the president of the 20/20 Group.

Wood died by suicide last Wednesday. The family said that by acknowledging the cause of death of the 62-year-old, they hope it might encourage others suffering from mental illness to seek help.

“We’re all very devastated,” said Reardon, the past commodore of Burloak, where Wood had served as a director. “John was a cheerful, upbeat kind of guy. This was a shock to us all.”

Wood competed at three Olympics, winning his silver in the C-1 500-metre (canoe single) in Montreal in 1976, a medal Reardon said he earned “by dogged determination.”

Dean Oldershaw also trained alongside Wood prior to the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, though as a kayaker, he said he fortunately never had to race against him.

“I thought I was a hard worker but when we would train I'd see his back most of the time when we were running or cross-country skiing,” Oldershaw said. “He was an inspiration to be around and I know he made me train harder.”

Wood was a member of the Mississauga Canoe Club during his competitive career but joined the Burloak Canoe Club after settling in Oakville. Oldershaw, credited Wood with being a role model for younger athletes who helped pave the way for other Canadian Olympians such as Larry Cain and Steve Giles. (Wood was doing colour commentary for CBC when Cain won gold and silver at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984).

Forty years after he first competed at the Olympics, Wood’s influence was still being felt. Adam van Koeverden, a four-time Olympic medallist in kayak who, like Wood, has competed at three Summer Games, called Wood “a builder of Canadian sport” who not only accomplished a lot as an athlete but also was willing to share his time, expertise and stories with young competitors.

“John was so much more than just a guy who went to the Olympics and got a medal,” van Koeverden said. “He was a guy who embraced that lifestyle and that eagerness to be on the water regardless of the weather. He had a lifetime commitment to sport and health and fitness.”

At an Olympics where Canada was shut out in gold, Wood delivered the top finish by the host country, one of the five silvers earned by Canadian athletes in Montreal. It was also the first Olympic medal for a Canadian canoeist in 24 years.

“It taught the athletes in canoe and kayak in North America that it was possible to win an Olympic medal against the Soviets and the other Eastern Bloc countries,” said Mac Hickox, Wood’s coach from 1973 through 1976. “It was a breakthrough moment.”

The Canadian Olympic Committee called Wood “a trailblazer in the sport of canoeing. John’s passion as a paddler not only fuelled his own success, but also led him to serve as an example to others in his sport.”

Wood, a member of both the Mississauga and Oakville Sports Hall of Fame, finished seventh in the C-2 in Montreal and the following year won a silver medal in the same event with Greg Smith at the world championships.

Though he retired from paddling shortly after, Wood found himself climbing atop the podium again after earning a bronze medal in sailing at the Pan American Games in Puerto Rico in 1979.

“He was a very talented athlete,” Reardon said. “He was a good runner, a good swimmer. I think he would have excelled at whatever he did.”

Hickox, who maintained a lifelong friendship, said Wood’s tremendous work ethic extended from his canoeing days into other walks of life, including golf, sailing, business and a multitude of other pursuits.

“That was such a characteristic of John,” Hickox said. “He had such a sense of determination, almost to the point of being able to block everything out.”

"It was my honour to have known him and not just on race day," said Oldershaw.

“He was a down-to-earth guy,” Reardon said. “He was a friend to everybody.”

Wood is survived by his wife Debbie, sons Jason, Michael and Alan and daughter Jenny.

A celebration of Wood’s life will be held Saturday at the Mississauga Canoe Club from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

John Wood Captured Silver Medal In Canoeing Singles At 1976 Montreal Olympics

DICK LOEK / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

John Wood proudly shows off his silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. The Canadian canoeing great died on Jan. 23 at age 62.

Reprinted from the Toronto Star

By: Daniel Girard Sports reporter, Published on Mon Jan 28 2013

John Wood did more than win a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

By finishing just 34/100ths of a second behind Alexandre Rogov of the Soviet Union in the 500-metre canoeing singles, he offered hope to paddlers across the continent that the dominance of the Eastern Bloc could be challenged.

“It taught the athletes in canoe and kayak in North America that it was possible to win an Olympic medal against the Soviets and the other Eastern Bloc countries,” Mac Hickox, his coach from 1973 through 1976, said in an interview Monday.

“It was a breakthrough moment.”

Wood, who paddled out of the Mississauga Canoe Club, won the first canoe medal for Canada since 1952. He also captured another silver in the two-man 500 metres with partner Greg Smith at the 1977 world championships.

Wood’s was one of five silver medals and six bronze Canada won at the Montreal Games.

In 1979, Wood won a bronze medal in sailing at the Pan Am Games.

Wood, who continued to paddle even after retiring from competition and went on to have a successful business career, died by suicide last week.

The family said that by acknowledging the cause of death of the 62-year-old, they hope it might encourage others suffering from mental illness to seek help.

Adam van Koeverden, a four-time Olympic medallist in kayak who, like Wood, has competed at three Summer Games, called Wood “a builder of Canadian sport” who not only accomplished a lot as an athlete but also was willing to share his time, expertise and stories with young competitors.

“John was so much more than just a guy who went to the Olympics and got a medal,” van Koeverden said in an interview. “He was a guy who embraced that lifestyle and that eagerness to be on the water regardless of the weather.

“He had a lifetime commitment to sport and health and fitness,” said van Koeverden, recalling him as an early-morning 10-kilometre paddler at the Burloak Canoe Club in Oakville, where Wood lived.

Dean Oldershaw, who competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics in kayak, said he trained with Wood as often as he could in those years.

“I saw his back a lot,” he joked. “Fortunately, I didn’t have to race him.

“He worked harder than anyone I ever trained with or anyone I’ve ever coached. John was just such a competitor and he was like that on race day too, but it was hard work that got him there.”

Hickox, who maintained a lifelong friendship with Wood, said that tremendous work ethic extended from his canoeing days into other walks of life, including golf, sailing, business and a multitude of other pursuits.

“That was such a characteristic of John,” Hickox said. “He had such a sense of determination, almost to the point of being able to block everything out.”

A celebration of Wood’s life will be held Saturday at the Mississauga Canoe Club from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Mississauga News: Nobody Worked Harder Than John Wood

Reprinted from The Mississauga News article by cclay@mississauga.net

Mississauga News Photo by Fred Loek

Not many will forget John Wood's performance at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

Wood, a long-time member of the Mississauga Canoe Club, rose to international prominence after winning a silver medal in canoeing. It marked the first time in 24 years, since the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, that Canada had received a medal in canoe. 

He just missed out on gold in the C-1 500 metre individual race, finishing 34/100th of a second behind first place finisher Alexandre Rogov of the Soviet Union.

Wood died suddenly on Wednesday. He was 62.

Dean Oldershaw, a kayaker who's currently a coach at the Mississauga Canoe Club, trained with Wood prior to the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. He can't forget just how hard Wood worked to get his body ready for competition with the best in the world.

"He wasn't a natural athlete but he was the hardest worker I've ever seen," said Oldershaw. "I thought I was a hard worker but when we would train I'd see his back most of the time when we were running or cross-country skiing." 

"He was an inspiration to be around and I know he made me train harder," he continued.

Despite all his athletic success, Wood wasn't the type of guy to let it go to his head. Judy Tutty, a long-time member of the Mississauga Canoe Club, said Wood always had time to chat with younger athletes and acted as a mentor to many of them.

Tutty said he was a legend in the sport. Even when his competitive paddling days were over, he gave back to the sport in a variety of ways including serving as director of the Burloak Canoe Club as well as investment committee chair for both Canadian Olympic Foundation and Canadian Olympic Association.

Tutty, who joined the canoe club in 1972, said she is saddened by his loss. 

"He was far, far too young," said Tutty. "The whole canoeing community is in shock right now. I was just beside myself when I heard."

Oldershaw, meanwhile, credited Wood with being a role model for other Canadian Olympics canoeists such as Larry Cain and Steve Giles.

Wood also competed in the two-men race at the Montreal Olympics, finishing seventh. He represented Canada three times at the Olympics, including Mexico City in 1968 and Munich in 1972.

Wood won another silver medal in the two-men 500 metres with partner Greg Smith at the 1977 World Championships and retired from canoeing soon after. However, he wasn't done with sport and won a bronze medal in sailing at the 1979 Pan American Games in Puerto Rico.

He also served as a canoe commentator on the CBC and covered the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

He's a member of both the Mississauga and Oakville Sports Halls of Fame.

Once his athletic days were over, he went on to enjoy a successful career as a stockbroker and served as president of the 20/20 Group. He's also chairman and founder of Bellwether Investment Management.

Wood, who had been living in Oakville, is survived by his wife Debbie, three sons and daughter.

"It was my honour to have known him and not just on race day," said Oldershaw.

A celebration of Woods' life will take place at the Mississauga Canoe Club on Sat. Feb. 2 from 2-5pm.

cclay@mississauga.net

CanoeKayak Canada Sadly Announces Passing Of A Great Athlete And Friend

Reprinted from the CKC Website

OTTAWA, ON – CanoeKayak Canada sadly announces the passing of a great athlete and friend. John Wood of Oakville, ON has died suddenly at the age of 62.

DICK LOEK / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

John Wood proudly shows off his silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. 

The Canadian canoeing great died on Jan. 23 at age 62.

Wood won a silver medal for Canada in the C1 500 metre event at the 1976 Montréal Olympic Games. In addition to the excitement of medalling on home water, his podium finish put an end to Canada’s twenty-four year medal drought in CanoeKayak events at the Olympic Games. Wood also competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games in singles and the tandem events with his partner, Scott Lee. At the 1977 World Championships, he won a Silver medal in the C2 500 metre event with his partner, Greg Smith.

Last July, Wood joined past medalists Larry Cain, Alwyn Morris and Steve Giles at a send-off event for CKC’s Olympic athletes and offered words of inspiration to the team. Wood was Patron of CanoeKayak Canada and has been a supporter of several canoe clubs and charities.

He will be remembered fondly by the paddling community and all those who knew him.

Paddles Up! -- Reprinted from Steve Giles' Blog

Reprinted from Steve Giles' Blog

Paddles Up!

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Steve

John Wood has died.

I was four years old when John Wood stood on the podium at the Montreal Olympics and accepted his silver medal for the C-1 500m.  I did not watch the race, I do not remember the race.  In fact, I don’t recall ever seeing John Wood race a canoe.  However, he is a legend in our sport and he was an inspiration to me at every stage of my athletic career.

When I was 8 or 9 years old I was introduced to canoeing through this video.  Watch it.

This video influenced my entire outlook on sport.  The words that I tried to live by my whole life were the first words I heard John speak:

“The thing that I like most about paddling in a race is winning…but that’s not necessarily what I enjoyed most about paddling”

Throughout my early racing career there were lots of role models and heroes for me to follow.  Larry Cain, came to Orenda in 1984 and inspired us with his medals from Los Angeles.  Tony Hall inspired us as  young athletes to strive to be the best.  Renn Crichlow showed me that Canadians can indeed be the best in the world in canoe (or kayak).  But through it all was the legend of John Wood.  He who had almost beaten the mighty Eastern Bloc, who had come within inches of claiming Gold for Canada at home.  I had never met him, never seen him race and so he was even more of a legend than all of the others.

The first time I actually saw John Wood he was standing with Larry Cain on the top of the hill at Rideau.  I was 13 or 14 and I remember thinking how cool it was that two Olympic medalists were standing there together.  I wouldn’t get a chance to meet John for almost two decades, and only briefly at a barbecue in Florida.  I had a medal of my own, but was still in awe of John and I could not bring myself to tell him what an inspiration he had been for me.

Another decade went by before I met John again.  It was last summer at a special gathering to send off our team to London.  I did tell him then what an inspiration he had been to me, and how I still watched him in Paddles Up! and I still got goose bumps.  

I heard him speak of his race that day, and was again inspired.  He was still passionate about the sport, seemed to really enjoy sharing that passion with today’s crop of elite canoers.  I took a souvenir that day that I will always cherish:

John Wood, Larry Cain, Steve Giles

I wish that I had known John better.  I am sure that he was a special man.  I am also sure that there was much more to him than an Olympic silver medal.  But to me he will always be the legend, and in the sport of canoeing he will be missed.

John Wood -- Reprinted From Tom Hall's Blog

Reprinted From Tom Hall's Blog

John Wood

Posted on January 25, 2013 by tomhall

A member of the Canadian sprint canoe kayak family died yesterday. I didn’t know John Wood very well, but he was kind and encouraging to a younger me, and sincere is his congratulations after Beijing. I wrote a piece about legacies after Mark Oldershaw won his Olympic medal, and John will always be an important part of the canoe legacy in Canada.

Another important part of that legacy is Steve Giles; who had a profound influence on my generation of canoers and kayakers. Steve wrote this blog about John, I encourage you to read it and watch the video.

Young paddlers racing this year, whether for world championship titles or peewee glory, are building on what has happened before. We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, each adding something to the community.

John inspired generations of paddlers and his legend will continue to inspire for years to come.