[Nomination by Patrick Camblin]

Dane has had a huge year.  Still only 17, he has been dominating the competition scene and has quickly solidified himself as a true force across all disciplines.  He won the Freestyle World Championships in 3 different categories, K1 junior, C1, Squirt (his K1 scores were higher than the K1 men), he became the inaugural Whitewater Grand Prix Champion in the challenging 6-stage, multi-discipline event, and he has racked up a series of other impressive finishes.  Aside from the competition dominance Dane also has probably spent more hours kayaking this year than anyone else, including quality time honing his patient but explosive style on big waves around the world, and continuing his foray into class 5 creeking.  At 17 Dane represents the present and future of whitewater, a true all-around talent and someone worthy of the Rider of the Year title.

Dane Jackson being that young ripe age of 17 turning 18 by the time the voting will be finished has arguably the best year of kayak competition the world has ever seen. He has shown he is one of the overall best paddlers in the world right now, with amazing skills across the field in freestyle, C1, and racing. He has been called the Michael Phipps of kayaking. I think this year Dane has won more titles, championships, and events than I can even remember or name off.

This year alone he has won numerous competitions, including three World Championships titles in Jr. Men, C-1, and Men's Squirt, as well as a bronze medal in OC1. No one has ever won four medals in one Freestyle World Championships before and never three Golds. He has also won the 1st annual Whitewater Grand Prix proving off he can compete with the big boys and showing off his skills in both freestyle and racing. Dane also won the National Championships in three classes, Jr. Mens, C1 and OC1. Dane also won almost every other competition of the year in his age class, including the Jr. Olympics. Dane placed 3rd in the Mens class at the Teva Mountain games, which was his worst placing of the whole year, now too bad.

In Racing he competes against all the men, and in the last year has had a pretty good showing. In the past Green Race, which was Danes second ever, he placed 6th in the long boat class, and 5th in the short boat class. He also placed 10th at the Teva Mountain Games homestake creek race this year. And placing 2nd in the extreme time trial La Touque race, and 3rd in the Giant Slalom race.

I think it is obvious that Dane Jackson is the Competitor of the Year.