Brothers ‘Push Through’ to Excel at Sprint Kayaking

Zachary and Petri Alva compete in the team trials at Lake Natoma in Folsom, Calif., on April 13, 2023. Courtesy of Schonna Schenk

Nineteen-year-old Petri Alva’s favorite sprint-kayaking event is the 500 meter.

“It’s just a fantastic race because it combines speed and endurance in a really challenging way,” he said. He laughed and added, “It’s about 90 seconds of all-out pain.”