Inspire Me Now: Quim Fontane

🌟 Inspire Me Now: Quim Fontane

Written by his coach, Jacko

From Salt to the Summit

Quim Fontane began kayaking at 8 years old in Salt, Catalonia. At first, it didn’t click — especially the soggy wetsuit part. But all that changed after seeing the 2004 European Championships in Sort. That moment lit a spark that never went out.

The First Steps of Greatness
At 13, Quim won the Spanish Junior Championship. He couldn’t yet compete at Worlds due to his age, but the trajectory was set. In 2009, our coaching relationship began — and everything started accelerating.

Achievements That Tell a Story

• 🥇 2010 Junior European Champion – Just one year in, his growth exploded during our training camps.

• 🥈 2011 Junior World Silver – Better communication, sharper thinking, and a silver medal to prove it.

• 🥇 2012 Senior European Champion – A seamless leap to senior competition, powered by belief and smart coaching.

• 🥈 2014 Senior European Silver – A deeper coaching connection led to another elite result.

• 🥇 2016 Senior European Champion – A near-perfect year, marked by ease, precision, and purpose.

• 🥇 2017 Senior World Champion – The crowning moment. He became what he’d always chased: the best in the world.

• 🥈 2019 World Silver – Juggling life beyond sport, still finishing on the podium.

• 🥈 2021 European Silver – Limited prep, lasting brilliance — bested only by another athlete on our roster.

Legacy Beyond Medals
What made Quim special wasn’t just the titles — it was the journey. He wasn’t afraid to ask questions, to reframe challenges, to stretch his thinking. His story is one of transformation, of passion guided by precision, of a quiet river boy who learned to fly.

To Any Athlete Reading This
Quim’s life in freestyle shows what’s possible when you stay open, stay curious, and trust the process. From the smallest club to the biggest stage — evolution is always possible.