Conne River son coaches dad in national powerlifting championships

In sports, it's not uncommon to hear of fathers coaching their sons. However, for two powerlifters from Conne River, it's the son who's actually doing the coaching.

Father BobBenoit and son DevinBenoitarecompeting at the Canadian Powerlifting Union's National Championships in St. John's this week.

"It's been a truly phenomenal experience," DevinBenoit told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

"To pass on that information and share something that's so important to me with anyone would be special, but especially now with my dad it makes it that much more special."

For me, it's just the simple fact that I get to compete with my son- Bob Benoit

Devin, who has been powerlifting for over fiveyears, first got involved in the sport after years of recreationally lifting weights back in Conne River,in Newfoundland's Bay d'Espoir.

"I was always in the gym anyway using the weights but not really serious, not really committed, not doing anything specific," he said.

"Our gym teacher back home, Mr. Paul MacDonald, he was a competitive powerlifter at the time and I seen the kind of stuff he was doing, and it sparked an interest in me."

Bob Benoit was also into weightlifting, but when his son suggested he should get involved competitively he decided to go for it.

"We were sitting down having a chat in between sets and he just mentioned offhand, 'Dad you should just give this a shot,'" he said.

"Very quickly I found out it was one of those sports that took a lot of effort and put a lot of demand on the body but once you got into it, it was addictive."

Father and son sharing the national stage

Devin, who competes in the 83 kilogramjunior category and has previously been in world championships, draws fromhis experience when giving his dad advice.

"I just tell him what works for me, nerves are always going to be there," he said.

"The thing to focus on is you have to realize how hard you've been training, how long you've been training, the work, the dedication you've put in to this. It's all going to come down to one day."

Bob, who competes in theheavier 120+ kilogramcategory, has much less competitive experience than his son.

"The last few weeks, I've been a nervous wreck," he said."I've only been at this for 14 months now, and this is the national stage."

Despite his limited experience, Bob is proud of being able to share his son's passion, and has been overwhelmed at the support they've been getting.

"For me, it's just the simple fact that I get to compete with my son," he said.

"There's a huge following in St. John's itself, and they've offered me more advice and more support that I thought possible."

The Canadian Powerlifting Union's National Championships are being held in St. John's from April 6 - 11.

• Click the media player above to hear Devin and Bob's interview on the St. John's Morning Show.