Emily Vinson

Hometown : Gainesville, GA
Birthdate : 06/04/1989
Height : 5’5”
Weight : 130lbs
Workout Song : Party Up, DMX

Emily Vinson was the youngest paddler on the U.S. Team in the Senior World Championships in Duisberg, Germany. She had just turned 17. Emily fell in love with kayaking in the fifth grade. She was living in Georgia, and her dad was her coach. Vinson realized she had a natural talent in the boat and quickly began traveling to competitions all over the world.

Vinson is an all-American athlete, and not just because she was born on the Fourth of July. In her first year as a junior, Vinson placed 7th in the K-1 500m at the 2006 Bochum International Regatta. Because of that performance, she was invited for a two week evaluation at the Olympic Headquarters in Chula Vista, CA. In 2007, things just got better. Vinson earned a spot on the Junior National Team that summer. She placed 9th in the world at the World Championships and filled a spot on the Senior Team, eventually getting to the finals and placing 9th there as well.

Through her success, Vinson is quick to attribute her talents to hard work and optimism. She said, “If you believe in yourself and train hard, you can take your talents around the world. It’s important for me to give thanks to God for the talents He’s given me.”

Vinson plans to return to Georgia after the Olympics to attend North Georgia College and earn a degree in Nursing. Out of the boat, Vinson enjoys Scrabble and is an avid NASCAR fan.