Lauren Austin

Hometown : Seattle, WA
Birthdate : 01/29/1986
Height : 5’7”
Weight : 145lbs
Workout Song : Anything by Michael Jackson

As a child, Lauren Austin had aspirations of Olympic gold as a swimmer. That dream took a different turn just after the summer of 1999 while Austin was kayaking on Green Lake in Seattle, Washington. Austin has spent the last three years in Chula Vista, California training and preparing for a shot at the Olympics.

Austin made the Junior World Team in 2002. In 2005, Austin competed in her first Senior World Championships in the K-2 500m, 1000m and 2000m. In 2006 and 2007, she earned a spot on the World Cup Team and finished 7th in both the K-2 500m and the K-4 500m in the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

What sets Austin apart in kayaking is her sense of rhythm and teamwork. She said, “In racing, especially the team boats, a good rhythm is important for consistency and makes it a lot easier for other people in the boat to follow the stroke.” This rhythm has made her a natural competitor as well as a popular teammate.

Austin will return to college after the Olympics to finish her degree in Geology and Environmental Science. She enjoys any outdoor activity including hiking, snowboarding and surfing.