Noah Hicks

Growing up, I have always been on or near the water at Lake Lanier.

My parents have always been very supportive of any after-school activity I’ve done. They believed I should always be doing something with my afternoons, but that it didn’t matter what that activity was. I’ve played most sports on some level, though it may not have been organized, throughout most of my life. My first water-related sport was swimming, which I started in the 6th grade. Although I had to stop swimming due to my sensitivity to repeated exposure to chlorine, swimming has always been something I truly enjoy.

The next water sport that I landed on is high kneel sprint canoe at the Olympic venue in Gainesville, Georgia. This was a truly unique opportunity since not many places in the USA have a national-level canoe and kayak club. I had the pleasure of competing in many national events and winning gold, silver, and bronze in different categories over the years. At the same time, I was introduced to Dragon Boating and fell in love with the team camaraderie. Traveling with the team to many places, such as North Carolina and Florida. Unfortunately, my experiences got cut short by the start of COVID-19. I would have possibly been on the USA Worlds Junior Dragon Boat team that went across the pond to compete.

Every summer since I was 10, I have been involved with the sailing program at the University Yacht Club in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Starting as a camper, I always appreciated the opportunity to be able to control the boat that I was given to sail in. From the rigging of the boat to the condition I left it in, I wanted to leave it better than I found it and help others when possible. This contributed to how I developed, not only in the program, but in life. Eventually, when I was old enough, I was given the opportunity to become a coach and to be able to pour into kids the way that my coaches poured into me.

I hope to continue to spend my days on and near the water for as long as possible, whether fishing or sailing, or coaching.