As a canoe slalom athlete and recent university graduate, Kaylen Bassett’s journey is proof that chasing sporting dreams doesn’t have to come at the expense of building a career off the water.

Before finishing high school, Kaylen’s canoe slalom journey began in an unconventional way. “I played mainstream sports throughout my juniors and it was only once my younger brother, Lachlan, was competing at Nationals and I was dragged along to spectate as a 16-year-old that I decided to give the sport a go,” he said.

It was that moment that set the wheels in motion for Kaylen. Soon enough, he was spending more time on the water, not for medals, but for the sheer joy of paddling.

“I’d find myself daydreaming about paddling in class, getting excited when it rained knowing the rapids would be better. It never felt like training – I was always just going for a paddle.”

That passion laid the foundation for what would become a more serious pursuit. The turning point came when he made the move from Melbourne’s flat rivers to the Olympic whitewater course in Penrith.

“That was a big step. Training on world-class whitewater daily, being around the national program and getting advice from Olympians like Warwick Draper really helped shape my direction.”

One piece of advice from Draper has always stuck with him: ‘Ask yourself if a choice is taking you closer or further from your goal.’

That mindset has helped Kaylen navigate not just his sporting pathway, but also the demanding juggle of study, training, and work. While building towards his Olympic dreams, he is also pursuing higher education and supporting himself with part-time work.

“I often worked late evenings after uni and training. There were many nights of reduced sleep and missed social events, but what kept me going was the joy I had in simply paddling and the support of my family and training environment.”

Through it all, he never lost sight of preparing for life beyond sport. After initially studying Civil Engineering, he transitioned into Construction Management at RMIT University, which better aligned with his interests and schedule.

“I spent the next eight years studying part-time, often completing assignments while away competing at World Cups.”

Balancing the student-athlete lifestyle has been challenging, but well worth it. Learning how to prioritise, juggle and sacrifice to get the most out of himself has been a key lesson Kaylen has learned along the way. Now, with a Bachelor Degree in hand and a new role at Capital Corporation, he is actively building a career off the water while pursuing his dream of competing at the LA 2028 Olympics.

“I think having an external passion outside of your sport is incredibly valuable. It gives you confidence and helps you feel less vulnerable to the ups and downs of sport. Since finishing my degree and entering the industry, I’ve felt a new sense of confidence in both my paddling and daily life,” he said.

‍