Marlena Ahrens (’09) is a passionate World Champion Kayaker and Physiotherapist.
Her passion for kayaking started in Year 9 at Strathcona. The appeal of being part of
a team competing in a five day race was the start of her paddling success.
Marlena has since gone on to compete in the World Canoe Marathon Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark (2009) and World Canoe Marathon Championships in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Denmark, United States of America, Hungry and South Africa (2009–2017).
In September Marlena will represent Australia in The Australian Canoe Marathon Team competing at the World Canoe Marathon Championships in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in both Open Women’s singles (K1) and doubles (K2) events. Each race is a 26km course with six portages (a section of the course where you need to get out of your boat and run with it for about 200m).
“Being part of such a supportive community makes kayaking a sport that you can take part in throughout life,” says Marlena.
It is part of the reason Marlena continues to rise early and train. “I keep paddling because I love it! It is such an amazing sport.” A typical training regime consists of waking at 4.45am with the aim of completing on average 80-110km a week in the boat plus two to three gym sessions and two running sessions.
After leaving Strathcona and between training Marlena completed a Bachelor of Science; Major in Human Anatomy and Doctor of Physiotherapy from The University of Melbourne. She now works fulltime as a Physiotherapist on top of her heavy training schedule.
Marlena specialises in working with people who have had spinal cord injuries who have become para- or quadriplegics. She enjoys working with clients to help them achieve their desired lifestyle. Whether this be everyday activities or elite sport, Marlena strives to work with her clients to reach these goals. Being an elite athlete herself Marlena understands the demands required to train and compete. She also has a keen eye for technique, and incorporates this into both clinic and kayak-based treatments/ sessions.
Marlena has also gained valuable experience working in a tertiary hospital with patients after orthopaedic surgeries, neurological conditions and spinal cord injuries. Marlena continues to train and is preparing for the 2019 World Canoe Marathon Championships and facing her biggest challenge which “is forgetting which bend of the Yarra has that hidden log underwater when I’m training in the mornings and it’s still pitch-black … Good to say though that I haven’t had any surprise swims along the way yet.”
#unstoppablewomen