By Bonnie Hancock
Dylan Littlehales is hoping the “Cam McEvoy effect” will help him turn silver into gold in LA 2028.
The Paralympic medallist from Paris spent less time in the kayak last year to complete his Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at Bond University but has returned refreshed by a new approach to training.
McEvoy, the 50m freestyle world record holder, has spent the last four years embracing a revolutionary new approach to swimming, with most of his work completed in the gym, not the pool.
The laps McEvoy does swim are all purposeful. And fast.
It provides a stark contrast to the heavy load completed throughout his early career.
This quality over quantity approach saw the 32-year-old finally clinch the individual Olympic gold he’s spent his career striving for.
Littlehales has similarly been emphasising speed over distance ahead of next month’s World Cup in Montreal, Canada.
“I used to do a lot of distance work, but I’m adopting the Cam McEvoy strategy nowadays,” Littlehales said.
“I only race over 200 metres, so I’m focusing on short, sharp stuff with more recovery for increased power and speed.
“It’s rare that I’d go over 10 kilometres in a session, but our sprint sets are intense - it’s a lot of lactate going through the system.”
Littlehale’s life is the epitome of balance.
Last week, he married partner Cassandra in Noosa, taking a few rare days off training to celebrate with friends and family.
The Bond alumnus is so dedicated to his study, he missed the first World Cup in Germany, a Paralympic selection event, earlier in the year to finish his honours thesis.
But the 26-year-old, who is now studying a masters degree, believes his external commitments compliment, not clash, with his athletic career.
“As I'm getting older, I’m starting to change my priorities in life,” Littlehales said.
“I studied full-time at Bond last year to get my honours and now I’m moving into a masters, which is the last step.
“I’m hoping to have my masters all wrapped up by the LA games, so I can really put the foot down with training leading in.
“The one thing that I haven't won yet is Paralympic gold, and I’ll be really looking to get it in LA.
“But for now, I’m starting to focus on my career outside of sport, which I think is very important for a lot of athletes.”
Littlehales says his full schedule, and the knowledge acquired throughout his degree, prevented him from suffering a post-Games emotional toll after claiming silver in Paris.
“The come down after the Games is something I'm very aware of from studying psychology for many years, but also from being around elite athletes,” he said.
“When you win that medal, you become Australia's best friend for about three months until Christmas hits, and then suddenly nobody cares anymore.
“I think that's where a lot of people get caught up and have the post-games blues…they get used to being in the limelight and then it disappears.
“I have a good support system and many other things going on in life, so I was able to move through that with little problems.
“But it's a big problem for many athletes.”
Littlehales is one of three paracanoe athletes to have represented Australia at three Paralympics, alongside Susan Seipel and Curtis McGrath OAM.
The Central-Coast bred sprinter has recently replaced four-time Paralympic champion McGrath on the Paralympics Australia Athlete’s Commission.
He says the two share a unique bond.
“Curt came into the sport a year before me, so we’ve been on this journey the whole way together,” Littlehales said.
“He’s definitely influenced how I've grown as an athlete and the choices I've made coming through.
“We’ve been very close for twelve years.”
Montreal is known as a charming city, but Littlehales’ sightseeing will be limited to the regatta course.
“It’s a fly in, fly out sort of event as it’s not the pinnacle event of the year,” he said.
“But it’s still an important opportunity to earn points towards qualifying for LA.
“I missed the World Cup one in Germany to focus on uni, which means I’ve got to try to put some results down.
“The goal is to be on the podium.”
The ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup in Montréal takes place from July 9th to 12th.
Bondies Jean and Pierre van der Westhuyzen, and Claudia Bailey will also compete.