Name: Kevin Rempel
Sport: Sledge Hockey
Hometown: Vineland, ON
Nickname: Remps
Favourite Sports Memory: Watching Crosby score the winning goal in the Vancouver Olympics.
How you got involved in your sport: I was volunteering at a wheelchair basketball event when someone told me about the sport. I was instantly hooked.
The moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada: When I saw the Youtube video of the Sledge Hockey team winning gold in the 2006 Paralympics in Torino.
Favourite Quote: “Success is not to be measured by the position that one has reached in life, but as by the obstacles which one has had to overcome while trying to succeed.” -~ Booker T. Washington
CAN Fund Testimonial: CAN Fund is a fantastic organization which helps us athletes become the best we can. Thanks to CAN Fund I am able to pay for extra training expenses and not be focused on how to pay my bills, but how I can be the best I possibly can in my sport.
Best Result:
-Gold 2x at the World Sledge Hockey Challenge
-Bronze at the World Championships 2012
Share one valuable tool that you use on a daily basis that helps you to be the best athlete you can be. I plan my weeks on Sunday night, and I plan each day the night before when I go to bed. This helps me stay on track, with a plan before I wake up so I don’t have to think about it. Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Who is one person in your life that has impacted your career and what was it that they taught you: I don’t think of one person. I think of my teammates. I came from a sport where you were an individual and if you succeeded you get all the glory. Here it’s different. I’ve learned again what it’s like to count on others. And when they succeed, you succeed.
Have you read any articles or books or watched any videos or movies recently that really inspired you: The book The Alchemist. I read this year’s ago actually, but I find it very relevant to everyone’s struggles and decisions. It’s about taking the right path in life and “reading the signs” you see. Follow your heart and don’t stray from your path.
Fun Facts: I often tap my hands when I’m excited about something. Like I’ll tap the dash when I’m driving, my desk when I’m in the office, maybe my legs if I’m sitting. My buddy Derek will hear me in the other room and know that I’m excited just because of that now. haha
Website: www.kevinrempel.com