How young did you start?

Seeing lots of middle aged people at social paddles, and the majority of results in international competitions in the 30-39 age group, got me thinking how young did you get into the sport?

Also, did you come across from a similar sport such as flat water or canoeing?

What age would have the top competitors started serious training?

Interested to see, as most professional sports these days seems to still have that common theme among athletes where they have been groomed for competition since their young teens.

These are great questions.
I'll set up a survey...

30-31

I came from flatwater kayaking, started paddling at 12YO i think, can remember Aust sprint nationals at 13YO ,back then you could race surfski at 15 (cadet), which has since come back in Australia Ian

39yo.
live near a river so decided to do a bit of paddling for fitness. Tried a spec ski and didn't like it. Tried Tk1's and didn't like it. Tried a sea kayak, loved it and built a couple of wooden kayaks.
2 years ago (43yo,)saw some funny, fast looking sit on tops and followed up on it. After first demo of a Red7 surf70, i couldn't get the smile of my face or the $$ out of my pocket quick enough.
Just finished a lovely 20km Sunday arvo paddle and the first two beers didn't even touch the sides as i cranked up the barbie. Life doesn't get any better

Overhere (Holland) surfski's are still a rare thing. Everyone around here started paddling as a kayaker. I was 13 years old, starting out with junior races and eventually canoepolo (almost 20 years). Right now I paddle racing k1's in marathons and am looking at our club single ski to try it one day (which is quite hard as it is pretty popular so it is in use most of the time ).

well i started paddleing when i was 13 in the carribean and now i am 14 and still lovin paddleing