CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- San Diego might be the perfect training location for some sports, but it's not exactly the whitewater-kayaking capital of the world.

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Olympian Has Secret Weapon

Nevertheless, Rebecca Giddens, an Olympic hopeful from Clairemont, expects to go from San Diego to Athens. She told NBC 7/39 that it takes a little creativity and a secret weapon.

Slalom kayaker Giddens, who made it to the Olympics in Sydney, employs a brutal cross-training schedule to keep in shape. She pushes herself so she can stay on top of her game, even if rushing rivers are hard to come by.

"Weightlifting two to three times a week, paddling out ... on the flat water ...we've gotten into mountain biking, climbing, surfing, a lot of fun sports since we've been out here," said Giddens.

When Giddens isn't working out at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, she's training on the Kern River east of Bakersfield, Calif. She hopes all of it is preparing her for the unknown in Athens.

Another unknown: The Athens course has yet to be built -- yet another variable in this ever-changing sport where every course and every run is a bit different.

"I know I'm capable of taking home a medal, but this is the sport of slalom kayaking, and things can happen," said Giddens.

Giddens does have something constant she can rely on -- a secret weapon whose name is Eric. He's also an Olympic kayaker, and he's her husband.

"We're both doing it together, and we feed off one another," said Eric. "We can motivate each other when someone doesn't feel like training."

In the gym or on the water, the couple is in a special situation -- an Olympic marriage turning a solo event into a team sport.

"That's the best part of paddling and continuing to paddle and getting to the level I've gotten to," said Giddens. "I've got my best friend by my side."