Silver Lake resident Giselle Nguyen is a top player in the kayak polo world.
The Berkeley graduate spends a lot of time drilling on Hansen Dam Lake and the UCLA Sunset Canyon pool.
She also travels around the country to practice with other top players at special training camps.
All her hard work got Nguyen a slot on the US team that will play in Poland in early September at the world championships.
She's slated to travel to Eastern Europe early next week.
But it looks like she will be going without her boat--a short, light-weight kayak made nimble for the game, which is played much like water polo.
Thieves lifted the boat sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning off the roof of her car, when it was parked on Fountain Avenue in Silver Lake.
Not surprisingly, Nguyen is devastated. She had just bought her boat recently for the competitive edge it would give her.
Mario Mota of LAPD's Rampart Division says rooftop property is always a problem.
"We have had skis taken, roof racks and luggage racks just to name a few. Thiefs have even started taking the spare tire mounted to the rear of small SUVs."
The area where Nguyen's kayak was taken patrolled by LAPD's Northeast Division.
Northeast detectives are investigating, but for now Nguyen is combing Craigslist and other websites where kayaks are sold looking for it.
She is also offering a $200 reward for information leading to its return.
If you see it--or have any other information about the boat--please contact Nguyen at gizbn@yahoo.com or the Northeast Division police directly at (323) 344-5701.
