Scott Parsons during the canoe slalom event on July 29. (Photo by jaycees2012)

Canoeing might not be the most glamorous and high-profile Olympic sport, but its competitors aren’t going for some leisurely paddle in a quiet stretch of the Thames. The canoe and kayak events at the Summer Olympics are held in an battering, relentless torrent of whitewater rapids in which racers attempt to navigate through slalom gates.

And even though Team USA hasn’t fared well at the Lee Valley White Water Centre just outside London, the Washington area is well represented. Scott Parsons, of Bethesda, recently competed in the K-1 slalom competition for the third consecutive Olympics.

Parsons, 33, only competed in the preliminary round on Sunday. While his time would have been good enough to make the top 15 that advanced to the semifinals, he incurred penalties that dropped him into 16th place. As a result of making contact with one gate and missing another entirely, he had an additional 52 seconds tacked on to an otherwise successful second run.

Though Parsons’ London competition was brief, he’s sticking around for the rest of the Olympiad, taking in plenty of other events and enjoying life in the Olympic Village. We spoke by phone on Wednesday.

What happened on your run that kept you out of the next round?

I wasn’t sure if was my touch, exactly what kept me out of the semifinal. I had some mistakes on both that cost me advancing to the semifinal even though the majority was quite good. It’s such a competitive sport that one small mistake can cost you.

You competed in Athens and Beijing. How does London compare?

This is a phenomenal Olympics. Everyone here putting on the events are incredibly helpful and friendly. The venue is one of the best in the world.

What’s it like when you’re in the canoe in those rapids?

It doesn’t really have the feel of the natural river. But it’s filled with excitement. The whitewater here is a very difficult course. It’s very challenging. That’s what I’m looking for. And to be on the competition side of it, it’s really fun to be in this special place on these rapids. It’s a pretty remarkable venue.

What’s your training regimen like?

A lot of physical training. Working several different systems. From anaerobic to aerobic. Tons and tons of technique. Even the most fit guys in the world, if their technique is a little off it [hurts] them. Training is pretty complicated.

I train on the Potomac Feeder Canal, just below the Little Falls Dam.

How did you get into competitive canoeing?

Got into because of my family when I was about 6. Between the ages of 10 and 12 I figured out it was something I wanted to pursue competitively.

Now that you don’t have any more events, how are you spending the rest of your time in London?

I’m just enjoying the rest of the Olympics right now. Staying through the closing ceremonies. It’s too cool as an event to not stay through the end. Have family here. I’ve had a tremendous amount of support from friends and family.

What other events have you watched?

I got to see some swimming last night, the 4×200 free relay. That was incredible. BMX looks pretty cool to me. All the events are really exciting. The best competitors in the world are here.

And how’s life in the Olympic Village?

Life in the Olympic Village is pretty sweet. It’s a 24-7 all you can eat food. There’s a laundry service. Pretty much whatever you need. It’s awesome.