Silvan Poberaj is the head coach for the Potomac Whitewater Racing Center. Born in Slovenia, Silvan competed in K1 Slalom for the Yugoslavian National Team from 1974 till 1981. In 1985, Silvan completed studies at the University of Ljubljana, with a Bachelor degree in Physical Education and Coaching.
In 1986 Silvan became the Head Coach of the Yugoslavian National Team and, in 1991, after Slovenia declared independence, transitioned to be the Slovenian National Team Head Coach. During Silvan's seven years as the Head Coach, Slovenian athletes won eight World Championship medals in Slalom. (In the prior fifteen years the Yugoslavian and Slovenian athletes had won two medals.)
At the end of 1993, Silvan moved to the USA to coach for the US Canoe Kayak National team and stayed on this position till October 2017. He was a coach at all the Olympic Games from 1992 till 2016 and helped US athletes win 2 Olympic Medals and multiple World Championships medals. Silvan continued updating his coaching knowledge by regularly participating at the USOC, the ICF and USACanoeKayak coaches conferences and seminars.
Silvan lives in Cabin John, Maryland where he raised two sons and currently coaches Potomac Whitewater Racing Center athletes from beginners to Senior US National Team level.
