“To me, CFR is like a second family”

Interview with Mr. Constantin Carstoi, coach of the Locomotiva CFR Kayak Canoe Section

 

Railway Journal: Coach, in the beginning we would like you to make for us a succinct presentation of yourself and of the kayak canoe section you lead.
Constantin Carstoi: Both as a sportsmen and as a coach belong to the kayak canoe section of the Rapid Club where I led all my sportive activity, except for two years that I spent at the Steaua Club in order to satisfy my military stage. I returned to the railway club and after a few lucky breaks I qualified for the national team. I have been a coach for 21 years and since 1995, as a result of my achievements I received the title of coach honoured.
About my section, I can tell you that initially it was called Locomotiva CFR and then it received the appellation Rapid. Since 1982 it returned to its initial name Locomotiva CFR. The nautical base is set on the Baneasa Lake at the CFR grounds. For almost 50 years sportsmen of these two disciplines - kayak and canoe have been using this base. Although not always in the spotlights, the kayak canoe section has had some good results. We have received 23 titles of national champions and many silver and bronze medals.
RJ: Currently, how many sportsmen do you have?
CC: Only 15. I cannot afford a larger team because during training, each man deserves the same degree of attention, whether a beginner or an advanced. Although it seems like a recreational sport, it is in essence a rough game. It requires many hours on the water and in the training hall. The water training starts as soon as the lake defrosts because May is the month of the championship and it requires at least 500 hours on water. When we are unable to make use of the lake we train indoors. I have to say that the effort is not different inside, regardless of the season. During wintertime we train a lot on the dry boat. The dry boat is a metal canoe fixed inside a pool. The moment we hit the water we do very little strategy, as we have to train hard of resistance.
RJ: Can you enumerate a few notable performances of the kayak canoe section?
CC: In 1981, Dorina Alexe managed to be elected amongst the few chosen for the World Championship in Poland. In 1985, Alexandru Popa received two medals at the Junior World Championship in Italy and in 1992 he was among the first six at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. In 1989, Marian Zamfir won the semi-final at the World Championship in Canada and chose the path of freedom - he defeated. Aside from the great results we scored during the world championships, we must also mention the gold and silver medals we won at international junior regattas. I cannot fail to mention Iulian Ionica, the one obtained last year two medals at the Kayak Canoe National Championship. Right now I have some promising young men that were nominated at the Romanian Kayak Canoe Olympic Centre for Juniors Federation. I am talking about the Junior 2, Kayak 4 team - Cristian Voican, Razvan Dumitrescu, Sorin Radu and Ionut Lupu. Last year they were counted among the first four places on the country final. They have good chances be part of the lot that will represent Romania at the world championships of 2002. I must also mention that Iulian Ionica made it to the selection for those who will participate to the Brazil World Championship in 2001.
RJ: Please tell us what do you think pushes young men to take up this kind of sport?
CC: Many are fascinated with water. At first they do not realise what this sport really implies. They just think they get on a boat and row. I already told you this is a rough game and this determines many to quit. Only those who really connect with the beauty of this sport remain. A junior who participates to the national championship is required to have rowed at least 3000 km per year. And I am not exaggerating. A championship is a raucous fight - we have 40 clubs in Romania and to become a champ is no small achievement.
RJ: Do the young come to you or do you choose them?
CC: Aside from the selections I make in schools I also pick some of my students in the street or on buses. Sergiu Nita, the one who was three times a national champion, I met on a bus and I “culled” him.
RJ: What qualities must a young man have to be elected?
CC: It is a good thing if he or she is tall or “sturdy” as I call it. It is a tough sport and you need good muscles but that can be developed later. We mould them on the water on indoors. Aside form daily practice we also have training camps where it’s double the fun - double the work. It scares them silly sometimes but those who persevere attain great results. It is hard these days to convince young people to take up a sport. It’s all in the explaining.
RJ: Tell us of your wishes for the new year.
CC: I only wish for two things: I want Iulian Ionica to win a medal at the Brazil World Championship and at least two of the members of the kayak 4 team to be elected for the European championships.

Oana Bran reporting