Eric Abbott

Hometown : Honolulu, HI
Birthdate : 06/22/1987
Height : 6’0”
Weight : 180lbs
Workout Song : 1 Rebel, O-shen

Eric Abbott is a true Hawaiian Waterman. Growing up on the island of Oahu, Abbot grew up in the ocean surfing, paddling canoes and surfskiing. In 2006, he made his inaugural Molokai Channel Race, the classic and dangerous 32 mile open-water competition. He has completed the race eight times since then.

Although Abbott had experience in kayaking, he didn’t start racing competitively until 2005. That year, he qualified for the Junior World Team and took a bronze in the Pan American Championships in the K-4 1000m. In 2007, Abbott made the Pan American Team and placed 5th in the K-4 1000m.

Paddling through choppy water for 10 to 20 miles, Abbott has established a base training for long distance kayaking. He attributes this success in the 1000 meter distances to his training base. But he’s honing his skills at the short distances in the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. He said, “I have a unique mental attitude coming from a different background, and it gives me a different appreciation for the sport. My goal is to excel not just in kayaking, but in all water sports.”

Abbott also competes in surfski and paddleboarding and enjoys volleyball and surfing. He plans to graduate in 2012 from the University of San Diego with a degree in Media Studies.