Paracanoe programme to host talent identification days
British Canoeing is looking for paddlers with the belief and desire to join their world leading Paralympic programme, as they turn their focus to Tokyo 2020 and beyond.
The team are looking to build on the success they achieved in Rio 2016, where they sat top of the medal table with three gold and two bronze medals.
Whether you are already a paddler and want to take your racing to the next level or perhaps you know someone who might have the potential to make a great paddler, then British Canoeing wants to hear from you.
Steve Train, who heads up the talent identification for British Canoeing’s Paracanoe Programme, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to work with a really talented team of athletes and coaches at our high performance centre. We are looking for applicants who may have paddled before as well as those haven’t but have the right attributes to develop into a world-class athlete.
“The classification for our KL3 paddlers is such that some current paddlers may not realise they qualify for our programme.”
In December 2016, UK Sport announced that British Canoeing’s Paralympic Programme would receive a significant budget to develop and expand their programme in the lead up to Tokyo 2020.
There has never been a more exciting time to join the paracanoe programme. If you want to get involved, please contact Steve Train.
Steve and his team will be hosting a Talent ID day at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham on Monday 9 April, Tuesday 10 April and Saturday 22 April. Anyone who fits into the international racing classification is welcome to register their interest.
About the ICF Paracanoe classifications:
- KL1: Athletes with no or very limited trunk function and no leg function and typically need a special seat with high backrest in the kayak.
KL2: Athletes with partial trunk and leg function, able to sit upright in the kayak but might need a special backrest, limited leg movement during paddling.
KL3: Athletes with trunk function and partial leg function, able to sit with trunk in forward flexed position in the kayak and able to use at least one leg/prosthesis.
