News

Friday 11 August 2006

Duo paddling to world canoe success

Two Nottingham Trent University graduates have been selected to represent Great Britain at the World University Wildwater Canoe Championships in September. Sport Science graduates Louise Donington and Colin Radmore will be part of a seven-strong slalom team for the event at Krakow, Poland.

The pair, both 22, will have to summon all their skill, stamina and courage for the gruelling event, which has a reputation as one of the most spectacular watersports. Competitors use a paddle to navigate along a rapid river course and pass through a series of gates, which incur penalty points if touched or missed. Each competitor will do two slalom runs, their times added together to give a total score.

Louise and Colin – who will be up against competitors from more than 20 countries – were selected by the British Canoe Union after receiving excellent scores during trial runs.

Louise has been canoeing for 12 years, after her parents got her interested in the sport. She tried different types of canoeing, including marathon and white water racing, before settling on slalom.

She said: “I just found slalom racing far more interesting, it’s not just about physical fitness, but about being mentally able too. I’ve represented Great Britain at junior levels before but this is the first time at university level, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Colin first went in a canoe with his father when he was two-years-old and was competing at local level by the age of ten. He has been preparing for the championships by paddling eight times a week and going to the gym four times a week.

“I just love the thrill of being on the water, it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. I’ve got a real desire to succeed and I hope this can spur me on at the championships. It’s going to be extremely competitive as the standard will be very high,” he said.

Before the world championships, Louise and Colin will be representing Great Britain at the European Under-23 Canoe Slalom Championships in Nottingham from 24-27 August. It is the first time a major canoe slalom event has been hosted in the UK for 11 years.

The pair, from Nottingham, studied in the University’s School of Biomedical and Natural Sciences.

 ENDS

Notes for editors: For more information on the British Canoe Union visit: www.bcu.org.uk and for the European Under 23 Canoe Slalom Championships visit www.canoeslalomrace.org.uk.

Press enquiries please contact:

Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk.

Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.