Samcheok, Gangwon Province – In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, the canoe team from Geundeok Middle School, a rural institution in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, with a modest student body of just 23, has been making waves, garnering national attention for its consecutive victories in major competitions. This extraordinary achievement is being hailed as "the great miracle of a small school."

The spotlight shines brightly on the Geundeok Middle School canoe team, nestled in Geundeok-myeon, Samcheok City. According to the Samcheok Office of Education on July 2, the team recently dominated the 24th Hwacheon Paroho National Canoe Competition, held from June 27-29 at the Hwacheon Lake Canoe Racecourse in Hwacheon County. Their outstanding performance secured them the overall championship in the middle school division, with an impressive haul of six gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.

A standout performer was third-grader Kwon Yul, who demonstrated overwhelming skill by clinching first place in six events, including the C-1 200m and various two- and four-person races. His exceptional talent was a cornerstone of the team's success.

The Hwacheon Paroho National Canoe Competition held additional significance as it also served as the 2024 Canoe Sprint Youth National Team selection trial. This dual purpose brought double joy to the Geundeok Middle School canoe team, as Kwon Yul and Kim Dong-min (both third-graders), along with second-grader Lee Jae-hyeong, were selected to join the national youth team, officially becoming part of the country's elite paddling squad.

This recent triumph is not an isolated incident for the Geundeok Middle School canoe team. In May, they swept both the single and double canoe events in the middle school boys' division at the 54th National Youth Sports Festival, held in Gyeongsangnam-do. Kwon Yul secured a gold medal in the C-1 500m individual race and also emerged victorious in the C-2 event, competing alongside Kim Dong-min. These consistent wins underscore the team's relentless dedication and the effectiveness of their training.

Kwon Yul and Kim Dong-min, both classmates, are widely regarded as the driving forces behind the Geundeok Middle School canoe team's success. The school's small size is striking: with a total enrollment of just 23 students, there are five students in the first grade, thirteen in the second, and five in the third. In the third grade, excluding three female students, Kwon and Kim are the only two male students. This demographic highlights the remarkable feat of two individuals leading their small school to such national prominence.

Despite its relatively short history, having been founded in 2013, the Geundeok Middle School canoe team's achievements are nothing short of exceptional. In its nascent stages, the team faced significant challenges. All the athletes were beginners, and the school's resources were severely limited; they even had to borrow old, dilapidated canoes due to a lack of their own equipment. However, the fortunes of the team began to change dramatically with the arrival of Coach Lee Seung-woo, a legendary figure in Korean canoeing and an Asian Games medalist. His unparalleled leadership, combined with robust support from the education sector and the local community, led to a rapid and remarkable improvement in the athletes' skills.

The local government has played a crucial role in fostering the team's development. Samcheok City provided essential financial aid, including the purchase of new canoes, each costing approximately 10 million Korean Won (about $7,300 USD). This substantial investment in equipment was vital for the athletes' training and performance. Furthermore, the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education and the Samcheok Office of Education offered continuous support for training camps, ensuring the team had access to the best possible environments for skill development.

This unwavering support has consistently borne fruit. Geundeok Middle School first clinched a gold medal in the C-1 event at the 47th National Youth Sports Festival in 2018, and since then, they have consistently harvested medals at national competitions every year, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in youth canoeing.

A significant turning point came last year when the Provincial Office of Education and Samcheok City invested a substantial 900 million Korean Won (approximately $660,000 USD) to construct a state-of-the-art indoor training facility within the school premises. This purpose-built facility provides an optimal training environment, allowing the athletes to practice regardless of weather conditions, a crucial factor in maintaining consistent performance and preventing disruptions to their rigorous training regimen.

Kwon Yul, ecstatic about his selection to the national youth team, expressed his aspirations: "I'm delighted to be a national team member, and I now have bigger dreams. I will work hard with my coaches and teachers to compete in larger tournaments and achieve excellent results." His words reflect the deep commitment and ambition that drive these young athletes.

Principal Han Yeon-hee of Geundeok Middle School lauded the team's achievements, stating, "This competition has proven that the Geundeok Middle School canoe team's passion and effort for sports have truly come to fruition. We will continue to provide sustained support and attention to ensure that even more outstanding athletes can emerge in the future." The school's commitment to nurturing athletic talent, even in the face of limited resources, serves as an inspiring example for educational institutions nationwide.

The story of the Geundeok Middle School canoe team is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, exceptional coaching, and strong community support. Their "golden surge" on the water is not just about medals; it's about defying expectations and inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams, regardless of their starting point.