Brown earns silver at ICF Paracanoe World Cup in Montreal

Greenwood resident Ben Brown earned a career milestone by finishing second at the ICF Paracanoe World Cup July 10 in Montreal.

Ben Brown accomplished a lifelong goal July 10 in Montreal. The Greenwood resident earned a silver medal at the ICF Paracanoe World Cup. “I just about broke down and cried in happiness,” Brown said, acknowledging the ups and downs he’s been through during the last couple of years.

It has included missing the time standard by a fraction of a second to qualify for international races in 2024 and losing most of last year’s season after a pressure sore became infected. Related Brown to paddle at World Cup, Pan American championship in Montreal THE NEED FOR SPEED: Brown looking to lower his times as he prepares for world trials Cambridge, N.S., resident Ben Brown fourth at first world paracanoe championships Brown finished second in the VL1 200-metre race in Montreal.

Australian Ben Sainsbury won the three-boat field in 1:03:97. Brown was second in 1:19:44 while India’s Yash Kumar placed third in 1:31:91. Brown, a Weston native who paddles out of the Pisiquid Canoe Club in Windsor, said he would have liked to have had heats or a full field behind the starting gate in the final, but it didn’t take away from his excitement.

“I still had to put in the work to, not just get onto that podium, but to (qualify) for the race itself,” Brown said, referring to the national team trials in Montreal in mid-June. “To represent my country and to do it in Canada was an amazing feeling.” It was the country’s first medal at the competition.

Brown said conditions were difficult, leading to many paddlers turning in slower-than-normal times. “It was a very stiff headwind,” he explained. “It took a bit to get the boats going fast.

Once I got going, I was fine.” Brown, 38, was paralyzed from the chest down following an ATV motocross accident in 2006. He transitioned from wheelchair racing to parapaddling in 2021.

Brown won medals at international wheelchair racing events, but not at world competitions. Brown said he appreciated all the support he received following his second-place finish on July 10. “To get all the feedback I have from home, from friends, family, my club, it’s a huge thing,” he said, adding he was also grateful for the encouragement of his national team teammates and coaches.

Pan American Brown will also be competing at the COPAC Pan American Paracanoe Championships in Montreal before returning to the Annapolis Valley. The events are key evaluating tools for Brown heading into the world championships, Aug. 24-30 in Poland. “My start definitely needs work,” Brown acknowledged on July 12.

“When Mark Granger, my national team coach, and I were looking at my paddle profile yesterday, it showed my first 50 metres definitely was less than desired, but after that I was definitely motoring right along.” He was looking forward to the rest of his time in Montreal and continuing to improve. “Soak in the experience and keep building for Poland,” he said, of his goals.

Brown also talked with his Pisiqiuid coach, Jeff Houser, about getting ready for the world championships. “We know what we need to do for the next six weeks.” Special treat Along with his silver medal, Brown received a maple-leaf-shaped bottle of maple syrup.

He said he enjoys waffles more than pancakes or French toast. “I am saving it for a special occasion,” he said of the syrup. “I am saving it for my next big batch of waffles, whenever that may be.”