News and Media: Sponsored Athletes

30 March 2011

For many young people, participating in an activity at PGL can be the start of an interest in a sport or activity which may even lead to world records or Olympic success! PGL is very proud to support the following young athletes and we wish them every success for the new season.

Lowri Davies - Freestyle Kayaker

Lowri coaching in Uganda Lowri has recently returned from a two month trip to Uganda where she has been coaching with flow free.

‘Part of my job is also to mentor our less experienced coaches and help to develop the skills of local paddlers. Off the water I manage the business, take bookings, arrange airport shuttles and much more! It sounds hectic but luckily I still get plenty of time to paddle for myself… after work sunset Silverback runs or a one-night mini-break down at the Hairy Lemon for some freestyle time. Life here is good’
Lowri

Sounds fantastic Lowri – we're not jealous one bit!

Joe Clarke - Slalom Canoe

‘I have been very busy over the last few months, training and keeping on top of school work when not out on the water or in the gym. This winter has seen some record lows, with temperatures well below freezing in December, but somehow I managed to find the motivation to go training in minus 14! Whilst there were record lows in temperature, my training was hitting record highs in the gym and on the water, which kept me going back for more!

The London 2012 course opened in January, and after all the anticipation and build-up, the course certainly didn’t disappoint. Having completed a number of days and training camps on the course, I am now feeling more comfortable with the power of the water and the physicality of the course as a whole.

With U23 selection now only five weeks away and Senior Selection seven weeks away, training intensity is starting to decrease and focused more on delivery and consistency. This weekend, 12th/13th, I will be competing in Wales at the first Premier race of the season.

U23 Selection will be taking place in Nottingham at the National Water sports Centre on the weekend of 9th-10th April, and should certainly set for some interesting competition. Senior Selection will take place on the London 2012 course in Lee Valley, and with the power of the water will certainly make for interesting racing over the bank holiday weekend of the 30th April-1st May.’

Visit Joe's website here

Josh Wedgwood - Kayaking

‘ ... all my training at Hurley had paid off as I secured my first win!’

Josh in the kayak

Josh competed and won in the prestigious Hurley Classic recently. The event has been running for over 20 years and attracts competitors from all over the country and abroad to compete.

‘Saturday showcased the best of British talent with the final British Championship League event. This was followed on the Sunday by the Hurley Classic jam sessions. With water levels looking low a week before the event there was doubt about the event running. The great British weather came to the rescue and topped-up the Thames just enough to allow the competition to run on 1 1/2 gates.’

Read more about the Hurley Classic competition in an article written by Josh for the Canoe and Kayak Magazine here.

http://www.canoekayak.co.uk/blogs/blogShow.asp?blog=75
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDqlkKkqlBY

Charlotte Fenn - Sailing

Charlotte trianing during the winter season

‘Since the beginning of 2011 I've been very focused on getting my Laser and myself prepared for the event season coming up!’

With the sponsorship I received from PGL I have purchased new kit that is bringing my fairly old Laser up to the new racing standard. Over the past couple of months I have attended Laser 4.7 training events at Poole YC and Queen Mary SC. These were both very good events, with the wind conditions being very different at both.

I was coached by Ben Ainsle's previous coach who had lots of knowledge to pass on to the sailors, and I gained a lot from both weekends. In the Easter holidays, in April, I'm attending the youth nationals at Hayling Island, which is a week long event for many different classes of boat - I will be sailing my Laser Radial there. I'm hoping, at the end of the event, to be in the top third of the fleet’.

Jai Geyer - Skiing

Jai has been suffering with a recurring knee injury, something that is, unfortunately, part and parcel of high level alpine skiing. He has returned home to see a specialist in London who, he hopes, will be able to provide an effective treatment. We hope the treatment is successful for Jai and that he’ll be back on the slopes in no time!

Visit Jai's website here

Maisie Potter - Snowboarder

Maisie in Slopestyle 'My best results this season (2011) so far have been my victory in Slopestyle, and a 3rd position in Boardercross last weekend. I am now in the Minimes category, and am one of the younger riders in that category, so I am pleased that I have had a couple of podiums. I have qualified for the French Nationals in Slopestyle, so I’ll be heading to Avoriaz on the 15th March.

This half-term I have been training a bit with the Great Britain SBX (Boardercross) Team, which has really made me progress. On March 19th, I’m heading to Laax (Switzerland) for the “BRITS” (British Championships) where I’ve entered the SBX, Big Air, Half-pipe and the Slopestyle - so I’m looking forward to that! This month, I have been practising my 360’s on big kickers and on boxes'.

Visit Maisie's website here

Photo courtesy of Yvan Cohen

Helen Barnes - Canoeing

Helen, focused on getting to the Olympics in 2012 Helen is expecting her first baby in just a few weeks, so for obvious reasons hasn't been racing. After the birth Helen will be back in the canoe training as soon as she's able to ... I wonder how long it will be untill the little one will be in the Canoe!

Good Luck Helen!

Visit Helen's website here

Vicky Holme - Shooting

'With the sponsorship money from PGL, I have put this towards a new rifle stock. I don’t get the rifle stock until May, but am hoping that once fitted to me, I will start showing a marked improvement to my scores. Training with the South West Squad is going really well and I will be shooting with them in the Isle of Man National Open on April 23 & 24th, so I shall let you know how I get on there. I will have my new rifle stock in plenty of time for the British National Open Shoot in Bisley, where I hope to move up into “A” Class, which is my goal for 2011'.
Vicky

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