Majoring in Marine Biology at UW, Jonas Ecker is also a student-athlete who has recently qualified for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He will be competing as part of the US Olympic Team, in Men’s K2 500m with his partner Aaron Small, as well as Men’s K1 1000m. We caught up with Jonas about how this journey to the Olympics began, and what he’s most excited for this summer in Paris. The 2024 Olympics will be held from July 26 – August 11.

Tell us how it all began, your journey to qualifying for the Olympics

My parents first introduced me to the sport in 2013 by signing me up for the Bellingham Canoe and Kayak Sprint Team’s inaugural introductory summer camp. My mom had rowed crew while in college before transitioning to surfski paddling (similar to sprint kayaking but the boats are meant for more adverse or ocean conditions) and introducing me to the sport. I first paddled purely for the fun and the camaraderie that comes from being a part of a team, but once I started racing, I fell in love with that aspect too.

I first raced internationally in 2018 at the Olympic Hopes Regatta (essentially age-group world championships for U15, U16, and U17 athletes) where I, with no mincing of words, performed very poorly. Although I did not perform well at this competition, it both inspired me and gave me perspective into what I needed to do to succeed. In 2019, I again competed at the Olympic Hopes Regatta where I won bronze in the Men’s K1 500m, my first international success.

My paddling progression was a bit interrupted due to COVID-19 canceling most racing opportunities in 2020, however I continued paddling and I was able to race again at the U23 World Championships in 2021, and both the Senior and U23 World Championships in 2022. 2022 was definitely the breakout year for Aaron Small and I, where we raced together in a double kayak for the first time at the international level. At Senior Worlds we had a breakthrough performance, placing 7th overall in the Men’s K2 500m, which we followed up by a bronze medal at U23 Worlds, also in the Men’s K2 500m. The 2022 racing season showed us that we were able to perform against the best in the world and it kickstarted our Olympic journey.

In 2023 we put our primary focus on attempting to qualify for Paris in the Men’s K2 500m and although we did not qualify at the Senior World Championships that summer, we competed at the Continental Qualifiers in April 2024 (our last chance to secure an Olympic spot). To qualify through the Continental Qualifiers, Aaron and I had to win the Men’s K2 500m, which we did, securing our spots on the US 2024 Olympic Team. In addition to the K2, I also race the 1000m K1 where athletes had to place top to in order to secure an Olympic spot, which I also did successfully.

Heading into the 2024 international racing season, I am incredibly excited to be preparing for my first Olympic Games where I will be racing Men’s K2 500m with Aaron, as well as Men’s K1 1000m.

What would be your biggest piece of advice for other student athletes in juggling school, sport, and other pursuits?

I think my biggest piece of advice to other student athletes juggling school, sport, and other pursuits is to use a calendar to build out a routine you can stick to, while still being flexible. Having a daily plan and outline helps me fit everything I need to into a day, whether that may be class, multiple workouts, meeting friends, or even just sleeping.

Another important skill for juggling academics and athletics is the ability to set boundaries – we would all love if we could fit everything we wanted into our day, but in all reality, we usually can’t. By setting boundaries, a student-athlete can make sure that they are getting enough sleep, fueling well, and staying caught up in the classroom. It can be as simple as setting a hard-stop time to go to bed when working on homework or reducing distractions while completing a task. Setting boundaries has helped me stay healthy and energized through long weeks both on the water and in the classroom.

What are you most excited about for Paris Olympics 2024…apart from getting gold of course

When looking ahead towards the 2024 Olympics I keep having to pinch myself as a reminder that it’s all real. Competing at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine, like most athletes, since I was a kid and now that it’s on my competition schedule for this summer, I’m still in disbelief. I think I am most excited for the atmosphere – having the opportunity to be a part of a team with other athletes, and having the chance to compete against athletes that I grew up idolizing, is truly awe inspiring. Every single athlete in the Olympic Village is the best of the best in their sport, and being able to experience that environment will be so exciting.