Canoe Focus Autumn 2016 | Page 24

Hannah Brown: Wild Water Racing World Champion In June, British athlete Hannah Brown was crowned K1 Women’s Sprint World Champion at the Wild Water Racing World Championships in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. As well as competing in Wild Water Racing, Hannah is a women’s Sprint kayaker and is a member of the 2015 British Senior Team. Canoe Focus caught up with Hannah following her gold medal success. How did you first get into canoeing? I first started canoeing during the school summer holidays when I was 13, me and a couple of friends went do to Bradford on Avon Canoe Club open sessions on a Saturday afternoon. We spent most of the time swimming! We all stopped after the holidays finished, but went straight back the next summer holidays and I never stopped after that. Why did you decide to get back into Wild Water Racing? For me Wild Water Racing is always close to my heart and I have followed it watchfully whilst dedicating my time to flatwater sprint. At the end of last season I sat down and set out this year’s plan, which had two pathways, either to follow a successful Olympic dream or get back onto the Wild Water scene. And well, after a tricky start of the year with injury and some poor results at the British Olympic selection races, I jumped at the chance to get back in my Wild Water boat and race at the Worlds at Banja Luka. Which discipline do you enjoy the most and why? This is tricky, both are fun and similar in certain ways… Wild Water obviously has the element of exciting water and I do love the amazing places it takes me around the world. Would you encourage more paddlers to get involved in multiple disciplines? developing athletes. I think getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things is how you can excel in sport. Also, the more canoeing or races you do, the more people you meet so socially it’s fantastic. What's your proudest achievement in canoeing? This year’s World Championship win is the proudest, it actually makes me emotional just thinking about it. I had had such a frustrating year beforehand, so to successfully come back after so long out of the white water boat and with such a big team around me was fantastic. Also having so many voices belting out the national anthem whilst on the podium, many of which have been alongside me throughout my canoeing career was a pretty special moment. What's next up for you? I unfortunately dislocated my shoulder at the World Cup in Pau, just a couple of weeks after the Worlds. So the coming months will be filled with surgery followed with rehab so I can get back in a boat as soon as possible! If someone was looking to get into Wild Water Racing what advice would you give them? Definitely go out and give it a go! If you’re stuck or wondering what the best option for you is in your area, I’d suggest checking out the Facebook page ‘Wild Water Racing for Fun’. It’s a really active page and if you dropped a message on there, someone will quickly be able to point you in the right direction. Otherwise check out the racing calendar on the website www.wildwater.org.uk. Massively, there are so many different skills that each discipline uses and many are cross relatable. I think it is so healthy to have a wide repertoire of skills, especially as young 24 www.britishcanoeing.org.uk Canoe Focus Autumn 2016 25