Lord of the Loop

Wright, right, with Kincaid, left, and EJ after the trio secured a 1-2-3 Team Jackson victory at the 2005 Reno River Festival.

CK: You, EJ, and Jay Kincaid consistently excel in competition, finishing top three at Reno and at Teva. Why is Team Jackson so successful?
SW: We all take competition seriously and enjoy it. We’re driven by the talents of each other, and push each other to paddle as hard as we can. We probably train harder than anyone else, too.

CK: Well that just takes me right into my next question. You’re doing a great job of leading me into my questions.
SW: I rule…I don’t really rule. I don’t know why I said that. [Laughs]

CK: So how do you train?
SW: I just kayak because it’s always fun and you’re always improving. It doesn’t feel like training. Other guys do other cardio stuff and lift, but I’m too lazy for that.

CK: What do you focus on when you do train?
SW: I learned from playing the trumpet that if you practice the easier, fundamental stuff it pays off in the more advanced moves. We [usually EJ, Jay, Clay, and Nick Troutman] will go out and play games, like HORSE. One of us will call a move and if someone tries it and misses it, they get a letter.

CK: Who usually wins?
SW: It varies. I don’t win very often.

CK: Do you have any other hobbies or interests?
SW: My 8-month-old black lab puppy.

CK: What’s her name?
SW: Black Dog.

CK: That’s a good one.
SW: It just came to me. It was better than my other idea, which was Yellow Dog. [Laughs] That way if she gets lost and people are looking for her and they say hey, black dog, she’ll come right up. [In the background, to the dog] That’s right, I’m talking about you.

CK: Do you have any pre-competition rituals?
SW: Not really. I just practice the fundamentals. But I try to eat a really big breakfast. Usually a lot of bacon.

CK: Are you a big bacon fan?
SW: I love bacon. Bacon and chocolate. It works great – I’ve gotta maintain my girly figure.

CK: Do you eat chocolate for breakfast?
SW: Only sometimes.