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Time out with…
David Florence Ella Walker caught up with the Olympic silver medal slalom canoeist, and Lee Valley regular, following the World Championships in Slovakia last month
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How are you preparing for London 2012? I’ve been training on the London Olympic white water course since January. The World Championships in Slovakia last month was the first stage of Olympic qualification. The selection as to who will take the place for Great Britain at the Olympics won’t be decided until next April. What got you into canoeing? I tried it on the sea one day when my uncle brought some recreational canoes along to a family day at the beach. I loved it and, despite not being able to get the canoe to go in a straight line, wanted to go again. What do you love most about it? The excitement of paddling on big white water and I love the satisfaction of training hard to perform well. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Winning the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics was very special to me. What other sports do you enjoy watching or playing? I like watching rugby, especially the Six Nations and am looking
CB Magazine 10/2011
forward to the World Cup too this year. I love snowboarding and enjoy playing tennis. I’m quite into wakeboarding too, but don’t really go much anymore as I don’t want to risk injuring myself! How do you stay in shape? My canoeing training is very intensive and keeps me in shape. Most of my training is specific skill work on the white water, but it’s also very physical and keeps me fit and strong. Do you have to stick to a specific diet? No, but I eat healthily. Lots of fruit and vegetables, etc. What are your tips for anyone interested in getting involved in canoeing? Go along to a local canoe club (they are everywhere) and give it a go. It’s a lot of fun. Who in sport inspires you the most and why? There’s no one person that I admire particularly, but I admire lots of top athletes who have really good, optimistic attitudes.