Mike Stock is a Kailua Boy, born and raised. He grew up going to Punahou School, sneaking on base to surf Pyramid Rock and paddling, paddling anything and everything that moved. In the 7th and 8th grades he experimented with being what he refers to as a "derelict." In the 9th grade he got serious and paddling a kayak became his life. Trips to the mainland to train and compete confirmed that he had talent and a future. In his junior year he became obsessed with qualifying to become part of the Junior Olympic Training Program. It was during this time that Mike enrolled in my Sports Psychology Class at Punahou. Mike was a textbook student, a dream to have in class. He understood every concept we covered and sharing from his experience he gave important meaning to our group discussions. Mike made me look good and I have never enjoyed teaching more.

Then came a frantic call from Mike's mom. "Sounding very emotional she asked, "Did you know that Mike plans to leave Punahou and spend his senior year training on the mainland?" "No," I answered. "Well what do you think?" she continued. "Gee," I said stalling for time, "he's the most mature and committed young athlete I've ever known. If anyone can do it, Mike can." "No, she said, "do you think Punahou will give him a diploma?" Relieved, I said "That not my department, I thought you were concerned that he's leaving. "No," she said, "Mike has made up his mind. I just want him to get his diploma." "Wow," I said, "that's what you call support." Mike did leave Punahou; he spent his senior year training on the mainland and he did get his Punahou diploma.

Update 9/15/98
Mike and I met in Manoa to discuss the results of his training and his chances for success. Sitting across from him I was amazed at the transformation. It had been almost two years since I had seen him and only the blond hair and slippers remained. At 6 feet tall and 185 pounds he looks way bigger. He has the neck and shoulders of a linebacker and the back of a body builder. It occurred to me as he began to talk, that I was in the presence of something special about to happen. He was confident and crystal clear of his goals. From time to time he would glance at his leather organizer to check a date, a result or a reminder.

"Yates, my life is about doing what it takes to make the Olympic Team in 2000. Everything revolves around my training. There are four main parts to my focus." Quietly, I listened and took notes as if I was getting ready to testify on his behalf.
What follows are the results of our conversation and a list of his goals.

"One, I must keep the K4 in mind."
Translated:
In order for Stock to make the Olympic Team he must be in a boat that qualifies for the Olympics. His best chance is a four man Kayak referred to as a K4.

"Two, I need to be in the best possible shape."
Translated:
Stock has learned to think in a feeling sense and he has conditioned himself to "turn it on at will." He has the physical and emotional fitness to get in a boat anywhere, anytime, and anyplace and paddle hard and be competitive. The thoughts and feelings needed to relax and perform at his best under pressure are in place. Stock has arrived. He has conditioned himself to be aggressive, totally focused and committed every moment of every practice and race. Now the REAL work begins. He must increase the capacity of his maximum oxygen uptake; the ability of his cardio-respiratory system to meet his muscles increased demand for oxygen. To this end he will cross-train four months each winter on cross-country skies. A form of torture that involves pushing your limits in the cold, thin air. For Mike, being in the best possible shape involves a staggering amount of work designed to increase his explosive power and stamina.

"Three, I need to be loyal to the cause."
Translated:
"Loyal to the cause," speaks to the need to be the best that he can be and at the same time the best team player he can be. Much of his training and competition involves paddling in a one-man kayak against the people that are on his team. Stock is a very competitive athlete. He must remember to perform with the team's best interests in mind and not let his competitive nature be a distraction to the team. He must remember that the goal is to make the K4 go as fast as possible. Feelings of competition with other members of the team must be replaced with feelings of cooperation when the team is in the boat together.

"Four, I must keep training my first priority."
Translated:
Mike's ability to manage his downtime is crucial to his success. Effort spent on anything other than paddling must be carefully weighed. The short and long term effect of every decision he makes must be in line with his desire to be in the best possible shape. His studies, his social life and his recreational interests must all support his ability and his commitment to train hard. At this point Mike picked up on my concern for his future. "Yates, I have a plan. I will live at the Olympic Training Center through 2000. After the Olympics I will enroll at a college where I can continue my education and my training. I understand the importance of preparing for my life after paddling. I understand the importance of having a balanced life. I love to paddle, I love to train hard and I love the competition. I will continue training for the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. I will accept the result of my efforts. If I come short and do not make it to the Olympics, I will be OK. I will know I have given it my best shot. I will have no regrets. Yates, I have a life."

Update 4/20/00
Mike Stock is an exceptional young man; he has maintained his training and his focus. Mike has kept the K4 in mind; he has earned his place in the boat. Mike is in the best possible shape; he recently did 20 chin-ups with a 45-pound plate tied between his legs. Mike has been loyal to the cause; the team has bonded. Mike has kept training his first priority; and he continues to kayak for the right reasons… he loves it. On June 9th Mike and his crew will compete with one other crew to earn the right to represent the United States at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The fact that the other team finished 8th at The World Championships last year adds drama to the race and fuel for the fire. Stay tuned. This Kailua Boy may be headed Down Under with his teammates.

Update 8/23/00
On June 9th Mike Stock and his crew finished second, a 1/2-boat length away from going to the Olympics. Mike was far from discouraged. "Yates, we gave it our best shot. The other boat was simply faster. They deserve to go." As a result of his fine showing, Mike was picked to compete with the second crew in the K4 at the Duisburg World Cup in Germany. His crew finished 8th. The first crew won the race and the Gold Medal. Mike was then picked to compete with his crew in the Pan Am World Championships where they finished 3rd. Mike then went to the National Championships held on Lake Lanier in Georgia. Mike entered 7 races; he won 4 gold metals, 2 bronze and 1 silver. In the process he set 3 pr's. A strong finish to 4 years of training, "I'm stoked, my training is working and my best performance is yet to come. I feel very good about my future, I'm now ready to take on my biggest challenge yet, college."

College
Mike will enroll this fall Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida. A four-year program that will certify him as a commercial pilot, he will also be training on his own for the World Championships to be held in Poland in 2001. "Yates, my life is now about getting my college education and training on my own. There are three parts to this challenge."

"One, I must stay focused."
Translated:
Mike will be taking a full load of classes complete with a strenuous flight school and living and training on his own for the first time.
"Yates, I do my best when I'm stretched for time and energy."

"Two, I must provide my own push."
Translated:
Mike will train with out the aid of coaches and teammates to push him through the pain of all-out training sessions.
"Yates, I'm inspired to do it on my own, I will train at and through my threshold of pain."

"Three, I must follow-through."
Translated:
Mike has decided to perform at his very best in the areas of school, flight training and kayaking. It's now up to him to make the choices on a daily basis to actualize the will power and strength of character he needs to pull it off.
"Yates, I can do it. I'm now living and working on my parents dime. I plan to take full advantage of this opportunity. I will get every ounce of value out of the money they are investing in me."
Stay tuned. This Kailua Boy is headed to college, flight school and a LOT MORE TRAINING. "I still love to paddle, I still love to train hard and I still love the competition. Yates, I'm on track, I still have a life and it's getting better."