Sport and Lifestyle

Joe Coombs (canoe)

Name: Joe Coombs

Sport: Canoe Slalom

Discipline: Men's Kayaking

Course: Marketing

Hi, i'm Joe, and I compete in Canoe, Kayak events. I am hoping to compete in the London 2012 Olympics and will be tracking my progress through Video diaries and footage as I work towards selection for Team GB. I'll be posting the videos up here, and on YouTube, and I hope you enjoy them!

Update: Unfortunately, Joe didn't quite make the Team GB 2012 Olympics team but is hopeful to make the team for Rio 2016.

History

I started canoeing at the age of 11 at Salisbury Canoe Club, as my Dad used to canoe and decided It would be good for me. I passed my one star proficiency test and then carried on canoeing throughout the summer of 2002. I got involved in slalom over the winter and progressed from Division 4 to Division 1 in 2004. I was then accepted onto the World Class Olympic Development Programme and since then I've been four times British Junior Champion, Junior European Silver Medallist, British University Champion and a member of the GB U23 Team. I am a full time athlete and am looking to improve on my 4th place in Senior Selection last year, and make the Olympic Team in 2012.

Goals

To make number one british boat and race for a medal at the London Olympic Games. To get a medal at the U23 Europeans and Worlds

Interesting facts

I share my birthday with St Patricks Day, and am grateful my mum didn't choose to call me patrick - close call! :p

London 2012 goal

Make the team, race hard for a medal!

To get there

Currently training 12-14 times per week mainly on physical work, will travel down to the Olympic Site for some specific training each week in the new year. I need to improve my fitness and speed, and work on my raceday mental preparation.

Milestones

Short term: Testing Blocks this winter every 6 weeks to check fitness improvements, April - Senior and U23 Selection, August - Olympic Games, September U23 World Champs.

What does being a student-athlete at NTU mean to you? 

I like to have something else to focus on alongside my sport. It gives me an outlet from the monotony of training sometimes - I study Business Management with Marketing at City. I feel very privileged to be supported by NTU sport and the facilities they provide me with to reach my potential. I like being a part-time student as I have extra time available for training/recovery!

Support

I am supported by a lot of different people; NTU STARS Platinum scheme, GB Canoeing UK (Sport Funded), English Institute of Sport, Wiltshire Olympians Programme. I am Sponsored by: Smith and Williamson, Trethowans Solicitors, West Systems Resin, Tesco, My Parents.

I have to sacrifice a lot of social life to be able to complete my training schedule. A normal day looks like:

Its really good to turn up to the BUCS race and represent NTU and bring home the medals! To be able to get a degree alongside your sporting commitments. Its also quite cool to stroll round campus in the Elite sport kit.

It can be hard to get all your university work done, hence my part-time study. I struggle to attend group work meetings and some seminars depending how hard my day has been! Having to miss out on most nights out because we have training at 8 in the morning!

For more information you can follow Joe Coombs on Twitter or visit Joe Coombs' website.