Zach “Bug” Lokken, a U.S. Canoe Slalom Olympian, has spent much of his life charging through whitewater gates at the highest level. But today, you’re just as likely to find him coaxing a nervous eight-year-old into a kayak or celebrating a beginner’s first roll. As a coach at Piedmont Paddlesports, a youth paddling club in North Carolina, Lokken has embraced the role of mentor and teacher with the same intensity and heart he brings to his own elite training.
A Lifelong Paddler Paying It Forward
Lokken began kayaking at the age of four or five, inspired by his older brothers and a visiting U.S. National Team paddler, Ryan Bahn. He quickly found his way into slalom—first in the bow of a C2, then in a C1 of his own. Growing up in Durango, Colorado, he trained with the Durango Whitewater club and eventually earned a place on the U.S. National Team. His longtime coach, Rafal Smolen, has been a constant presence since he was 11.
“Rafal didn’t just teach me technique—he challenged me to be the best version of myself,” Lokken says. “He coached me both on and off the water.”
That kind of holistic coaching is now central to Lokken’s own approach, as he leads a new generation of paddlers—many of them just beginning—in their first strokes toward the sport.
Balancing Coaching and Olympic Ambitions
While Lokken has embraced his coaching role with heart and humility, his own athletic journey is far from over. He continues to race internationally on the World Cup circuit and is training with his sights firmly set on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“I’m still chasing my own goals on the water,” Lokken says. “But coaching these kids reminds me why I started paddling in the first place. It keeps me grounded and motivated.”
Balancing elite-level competition with beginner instruction isn’t easy, but for Lokken, it’s a meaningful way to give back while staying connected to the heart of the sport.
A Chance Encounter, a New Chapter
Lokken’s transition into coaching wasn’t planned. It began with a lost GoPro and a conversation with Piedmont Paddlesports founder Tory Thompson.
“Rafal found Tory’s GoPro and returned it,” Lokken recalls. “She mentioned they needed a coach. I said I’d give it a shot.”
Though he had experience coaching older and more advanced athletes, working with complete beginners—especially young kids—was something new. “I had to learn how to teach someone who had never even been in a kayak,” he says. “As the kids improved, I improved too. We’re learning together.
More Than a Coach
For Thompson, whose four children all paddle with Piedmont, Bug’s impact goes far beyond instruction.
“Bug saved my son’s life,” she says. During a practice run at the Glacier Breaker competition, her eight-year-old, Eli, became trapped in a hydraulic. With few people on site and the situation unfolding quickly, Lokken—already off the water—immediately recognized the danger, ran back to the river, dove in, and rescued Eli without hesitation.
“His quick thinking and bravery were nothing short of heroic,” she says.
But it’s not just about split-second action. Lokken, she adds, is a calm, encouraging presence who helps young athletes grow emotionally and mentally. When her older son, Logan, grew frustrated during a recent club outing, Lokken pulled him aside and helped him calmly process his emotions—turning a difficult moment into a learning one.
“Bug is not just a coach—he’s a mentor, a role model, and a leader,” says Thompson. “Even my four-year-old daughter, Lilly, adores him. She wants to paddle because Bug makes it look magical.”
Fun, Safety, and Confidence
Lokken’s coaching philosophy blends skill development with joy and emotional growth. “Kayaking is scary at first,” he says. “But when kids challenge themselves, conquer fear, and come out smiling—it’s magic.”
A major highlight of his coaching so far was bringing the kids to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for their first real river experience. “We’d only trained in a pool until then,” Lokken says. “Seeing them apply their skills in moving water, bounce back from swims, and still be excited to keep paddling—it showed me how tough and passionate these kids really are.”
Lokken is also quick to credit his learning curve to mentors like ACA Instructor Trainer Chris Wing, with whom he recently co-led a National Safe Boating Week clinic. “Chris emphasized making kids feel comfortable, safe, and most importantly—making it fun,” Lokken says. “Not every session needs to be drills and rolls. Games, laughter, and confidence-building matter just as much.”
Looking Ahead
Now deeply embedded in the Piedmont paddling community, Lokken is helping build something lasting. “Youth clubs like this are vital,” he says. “They create a space where kids feel challenged, supported, and seen.”
And for other athletes thinking about making the leap to coaching?
“Trust yourself. Be patient. Have fun,” he says. “If you’re enjoying it, the kids will too. My goal? That some of these kids get so good they beat me at Team Trials and force me into retirement. That’s what great coaching should do—lift the next generation higher than we ever went.”
