By Peter Tranter
Photos: Peter & Nina Csonka
Peter and Nina Csonka are amongst the best white water and freestyle kayakers in the world, living for many months in their campervan with their son, Petko and two dogs. We asked them about the challenges of training, balanced with family commitments, especially through these trying times
An interview with… Peter and Nina Csonka
Before we start – just let our readers know a little about your family, background, etc.
Nina: Actually, I started kayaking quite late. I was 18, and my only paddling experience before was one year in women’s rafting team. But I was always quite a sportive person. I loved snowboarding and any other extreme sports. My father was very active and taught me to love outdoor and nature. Then I met Peter, and he showed me kayaking. We started to date and train together… and then we even went to University together:) We studied faculty of physical training and finished a master degree. I continued studying for a few more years and completed my Philosophiae doctor degree (PhD.) as well.
Peter: I started with the sport as a small kid. I was about four-five when I began to go to a skiing club, later I was swimming for a few years, and then I started my karate career. I was quite good and already Slovak junior representation when I decided to quit. I didn’t like the atmosphere there, you were all days long locked in dusty dark gyms. I was about 11 when my friend told me about his canoeing club. I quitted karate and the next day I was in a canoe. It was fun – great friends, adventures, all kind of sports and always in outdoor. After we get more skills on the water, we started with rafting and kayaking. And this is how I started.
So what got you hooked on WW kayaking?
Peter: It’s hard to say because it came step by step. First, you start with easy rivers, and you totally enjoy it – the beauty around you – nature, rivers, scenery and friends around you. You begin to enjoy small waves and want more. Then you just realize that you sit on some pretty big water and have the same feeling. It’s just unique. Go down with the water, surf waves, avoid big holes, falling down epic waterfalls…
Nina: I remember when I saw whitewater kayaking for the first time. My first thoughts were that these people have to be crazy and that I never try it. But then I met Peter, and he showed me his passion for kayaking and everything changed. I suddenly realized that kayaking is the best sport ever. In last 17 years, we made many kayaking trips, visited great countries, experienced so many things, met hundreds of friendly people and have millions of unforgettable memories, this is what it makes best about kayaking. It doesn’t matter if you paddle class II-III or V-VI, just being on the water with kayak makes you happy.
Which do you prefer: taking part in competitions or big water expeditions and why?
Peter: I don’t like competitions. I started to compete because it was the only way how to get sponsors at that time. In my 20+ years career, I experienced so many ups and downs that now it is hard to describe it. Competitions are great when you are on the podium… and it’s a great option to meet friends, get some new impulse for your motivation and even good reasons to visit new countries. Expeditions are something very different. When you have good friends and odds are in your favour, then nothing can beat it.
Nina: I am quite a competitive person. I remember the start of my competition career. I really enjoyed that feeling to be part of it. It was fun for me. As I get better and better, it became more stressful of course. But I still like to compete, it just depends on when, where and with who. Expeditions are like holidays for me, not physically but mentally but you found yourself in your own world, wild and free. You don’t need to care about your daily problems, you just ‘fight to survive’ and enjoy the moments.
Preparing for big competitions is a challenging task. Talk us through your pre-event routine and how you get into the zone for a big event.
Peter: I had some routines, but it has changed from year to year. Basically, I just need some time just for myself a few minutes before my start. I like to listen to good music, visualize my ride and focus on competition.
Nina: I tried a few things, and some were working good; some don’t. Now when we have a kid and two dogs, it’s much more challenging. I like to prepare everything before, so I don’t stress later, and that’s all. It’s not easy to get in the right zone, sometimes you try too much, and you end up over motivated sometimes you claim down too much. To find the right balance is something I am still learning.
What effect has Covid-19 had on you in 2020?
Peter: We were lucky enough to make Costa Rica trip in January just before all this mess. Then we were stuck at home for a few months, but at least we could go paddling at our whitewater course and biking close to our home. So, in the end, it wasn’t a bad season at all. We didn’t compete much this year, but we train and paddle a lot.
Nina: As Peter said, we were lucky to be able to paddle almost the whole time. We couldn’t travel, but at least we have an excellent artificial course close to our home.
What effect has being a parent had on your careers and paddling in general?
Nina: When I was thinking about to have a child, I knew I don’t want to change my lifestyle. Freestyle is a family-friendly sport. In the beginning, it was a bit hard to manage all the training, household chores, child, etc. but Peter helped me a lot. The only change was that everything took us much longer, and there was no time to be bored. We started to travel with Petko from his sixth week, and actually, it was straightforward. When he was one-year old, we went to Canada for Worlds. We slept for five weeks in the tent without power, toilet and water, and it was one of the best adventures ever.
Peter: I agree with Nina. Of course, you have to make compromises, but we adapted pretty soon and had no problem to continue in our careers. Whitewater kayaking is a bit problematic because you have to switch and can’t paddle together if you don’t have babysitting, but when you have good friends, then it works as well.
Apart from extreme kayaking – are there any other areas of paddling you would like to explore?
Peter: I have experiences with almost every white water discipline, now I train my son canoe slalom.
Nina: I think we tried everything, but freestyle and extreme kayaking are what makes us happy.
Are you completely over your spinal problems now Nina, or do they persist?
Actually no. It is pretty serious and remains so, but I learn how to work with it. I am limited and can’t train that much as I did before, but I can still go kayaking and do other sports. Unfortunately, it will never be as before, and I have to accept it. Sometimes it’s good other times bad, but if I can still do what I love, I am happy.
We’ve seen you quite a lot on a SUP board lately nina, what is it about SUP you like?
SUP is an excellent additional sport. You can take it everywhere and have fun on it. You can try paddling whitewater on it which is pretty fun but coursing around the coast is perfect as well. And if there are waves, it makes it ideal balance training as well.
Peter, you’ve been runner up in the Freestyle Worlds three times. Just how close have you been to becoming world champ and is it still an aim of yours?
I was at my first Worlds in 2003 in Graz. Since then, I took part every time. I was three times silver medalist, and every time it was very close. I think once it was just six points. I really wanted gold for sure, but freestyle is a challenging sport. Sometimes you even can’t affect some conditions. I am delighted I had these chances to fight in the final for the medals and to be on the podium with great competitors.
How do you juggle family time and competitions with a child and two dogs?
Nina: It’s fun, and we are very excited when we hid the road. Of course, we have to pack the whole day, and it’s not easy to squeeze everything into our camper, but I love our travels. Actually, the most tricky thing is to travel with a big dog. I adopted her two years ago, and she should stay home when we are abroad but no – she is very social and has to be with us. We were in Spain for the Worlds for a month with a child and two dogs, and it was fine, so no big deal for us.
Peter: Yes, the kid is OK. Dogs are little problem 😀 You can’t take them everywhere, but either can’t keep them in the car the whole day. But we enjoy their company and use to travel all together. Our son always wants to take them everywhere.
If you could capture just one ‘feel good’ moment in your kayaking expeditions/competitions – which would it be and why?
Nina: There are so many great moments, but one very special for me was during my final at European Championships in Cunovo. My son was only 2.5 months old. I had to still carry him around on my chest, breastfeed, change diapers than I jump into my kayak with no time to mentally prepare at all and pull my ride. I finished second, and everyone was cheering for me. I run out of my kayak, breastfeed him again and cheer for Peter from the side. He won it at that time.
Is there anywhere in the world that’s got you hooked? Somewhere you want to keep going back to again and again?
Nina: I think there are many places where we would love to come back. One of these is Costa Rica. It is the perfect combination of rivers, ocean and jungle. But the place where we flew most was Uganda. We have been there nine times and have fantastic memories.
Peter: Last year we made a kayaking trip to Georgia (Asia), and it was just perfect, one of the best I ever did. This year we had already plane tickets, but this Covid-19 thing has changed our plans, so I hope for some next time.
Quickies…
If you could paddle with anyone in the world dead or alive, who would it be?
Peter: I am looking forward to paddle with my son.
What’s the one river you haven’t paddled that would be on your bucket list?
Nina: I would love to go to Grand Canyon, that’s still on my bucket list
Any fellow paddler you would like to interview and why?
Nina: Some other great moms out there, Claire, Emily, Valerie, Mariann etc.
Are you a bathroom/shower singer and if so, what do you sing?
Nina and Pete: Not at all, we shower very fast and can’t sing.
What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?
Nina: Luxury? Why?
Peter: Camera and tons of batteries.
If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
Nina: Peter would probably make a grill, and I can host you with some of our traditional meal – Bryndzove halusky.
What’s in your fridge right now?
Nina: Nothing.
Peter: She is right
Do you believe in love at first sight?
Peter: Sure I do.
Nina: That’s how I met Peter.
What’s your favourite animal?
Dogs of course
Favourite sport’s team?
Erm… Do you mean kayaking team? We are not big fans of football, hockey or so…
Who are your kayaking buddies?
Nina, Peter and Petko:)
What’s the most boring question you are often asked?
Nina: Are you planning a second child? No, we have two dogs.
Any final shout outs to friends, supporters and sponsors?
We want to thanks to all our great friends and sponsors without who we wouldn’t be able to live our dream life. We were fortunate to meet great people who helped us a lot. Some of them even don’t realize how they changed our lives, and we are very thankful for that.
