Height: 188cm

Weight: 89kg

Club
Leighton Buzzard

Former Coaches
First Coach - Doug Saxby (1986 - 1994)

Current Coach
Allan Bennett (1997 onwards)

Occupation
Infrastructure Management Specialist

Favourite Training Venue
Unsure..This is probably Le Temple-sur-Lot

Favourite Racing Venue
Szeged (the atmosphere at the 1998 World Championships was absolutely
electric)

Favourite Training Session
30 strokes x 5 x 3, rolling or standing

Favourite Training Camp Location
Le Temple-sur-Lot (peaceful and relaxing)
The Pines (Florida) - Warmth, food, good water, usually plenty of company

Age started canoeing 10 (1985)

Previous Race History / Highlights of better performances
Duisburg World Cup 1994 - 13th K1 200m
Mechelen World Cup 1996 - 8th K1 200m
Milan Pre-Worlds 1998 - 6th K4 200m
Szeged Worlds 1998 - 10th K4 200m (fastest non-qualifier to final, in fastest heat)
Mechelen World Cup 1999 - 9th K4 200m
Mechelen World Cup 2000 - 8th K2 200m

Equipment
Vandusen Tiburon K1, Vajda K2, Turbo Paddles
Also in stock
- Aylings lightweight Kobra K1
- Pre-Aylings Kobra K1
- Kirton Kayaks Tiger K1
- Kobra K2
Nielsen Kellerman Speed Coach Gold
Polar Vantage NV Heart Rate Monitor

What do you consider to be the most important elements to being a top 200 metre paddler?

Focus, Speed, technique and fitness!

What specific training methods do you adopt to get that all important sharpness/explosive power needed for the 200 event?

I am very naturally speedy and strive more towards working on the Endurance / VO2 max side of things. So, plenty of VO2 boosting sessions produce the best results for me.

Describe the feeling when you realised you had got the gold medal in Nottingham and talk us through the race

I felt from the start that we had the lead, it is difficult to sense what is going on around you when you are pounding down the course at that speed. I do remember not being entirely happy with my technique, which lead to an elevated stroke rate. Gavin and I completed our 200m race with 104 strokes, which equated to around 175 strokes per minute. I was exhausted, relieved, but somehow invigorated by the experience.

What do you feel can be done in the UK to promote the 200 metre event, bearing in mind it's exposure and popularity in most other countries and at any major international event?

All we can do at present is to raise it's profile, encourage other people to race, especially in the crew boats. If we can develop popularity in the masses, even if the funded paddlers are not racing, then we can still build a base, find some un-suspecting stars, and produce some quality racing for both the competitors and the spectators.


Other Pictures:

Nottingham 2003


Notingham 2004

Sobeka 2004


Duisburg 1999 (K4 200m)


Racing with LBCC C4 Crew in September 2004 at Nottingham


Receiving Service to Sport Award January 2006 ffom Leighton Linslade Town Mayor