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So the last 8 months have seen....the sad end to my

London 2012 dream....a manic few months talking atschools, a house / country move....embarking on asearch for a new sport.....becoming a commuter and

now I nd myself on the verge of GB selection inSprint Kayak!

Wow! Is been an incredible few months. The time has own by and itsometimes seems like London 2012 was just the most incredible dream....I

have to look through all my bits and bobs to remind myself that it was real,it was out of this world and it was a dream come true!

I knew these few months would be a roller coaster of emotions as I madetough decisions and attempted to nd that new sport in which I hadpotential to reach Rio. I was lucky enough to have rowing, triathlon,cycling & kayaking interested in signing me up so I started trying to trainfor all of them! It just so happened that kayaking squad selection came uprst...somehow despite wind and what seemed a very wobbly boat Imanaged to not only make the squad time but also impress the coaches

enough for them to say some very positive things about my future........

Now being happily based in Glasgow and loving our little ugly at (seeabove), the country and the people, I was presented with a commuting

The World of Wiggs"The road to Rio?"

What's coming up in theworld of Wiggs?

Tea with the Queen!

Training steps up for European

Championships

Euro Champs - Portugal12-16th June

Selection for Worlds

June 22nd? World Championships

August 25-Sept 1st

May 2013 Issue 1

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challenge to get to the National Water-sports Centre in Nottingham. Not one to let a challenge stand in my way Ibecame FlyBe's probable most frequent sweaty and exhausted traveller, ying down on the 7am Monday ightreturning on the last ight on Wednesday after 6 water and 2 gym sessions A combination of hard work, an arrayof wooly hats, the very reliable Mr George taxi and the somewhat basic accommodation I made it to my rstRegatta....

Training

As you can imagine the training is very different to sittingvolleyball! Gym work is high loads and low reps to make me

bigger (....Arnie watch out!!). When in Nottingham we traintwice a day on the water and normally once in the gym. The restof the day is recovery (the part I nd the hardest!) and refuelling(the part I nd the easiest!). The squad is a mix of people whoare refreshingly dedicated to being elite athletes so we have agreat time.

GB National Regatta

April 2013

My FIRST ever race and I was faced with the slightly daunting task of beating the current world champion Jeanette ...gulp!!

I was terried about the dreaded 'bucket start' but having established itwas not a normal bucket and I would not be dragged down under thewater if I was slow off the start I felt more relaxed. Nerves nearly ruinedmy race as the energy I had expended during the day cost me dearly as

I burnt out just before the line. However the cheers from my supportersgot me across the line in rst place! Race 2 was much better with daylightbetween me and second place. A brilliant start to my racing career.

Guide to Sprint Kayak

It will be part of the Paralympics for therst time in Rio 2016Current British Olympic hero is Ed

McKeever gold medalist from London!

It's 200m at water sprintThere are 2 types of boat K1 (my boat)and Va'a (see pic below)There are 3 disability categories (LTA -

legs, trunk, arms TA- trunk arms A - arms)In my category (TA) the current world

record stands at about 62.8 seconds.It requires huge power and strength as

well as technique to get the boat movingefciently (the ability to swim is alsodesirable in the early days....!?)

For more info check outwww.gbcanoeing.org.uk

Not sure that our lake in Nottingham is comparableto that in Rio??!!

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As well as changing sports I decided I wanted to give my full attention to being an athlete but not lose touch withmy teaching. Luckily while doing a presentation for the British Paralympic Association I was spotted by the YouthSports Trust. They signed me up as an Athlete Mentor an incrediblehonour and brilliant to be part of a team involving some of the bestathletes in Britain including Jess Ennis, David Beckham and others!Although not full time I manage I do some visits each month to keepthe money coming in as well as rapidly out! Projects involve going

into a school and delivering the Sky Sports Living For Sportprogramme which is brilliant and really seems to grab the youngestattention.

So I hope you have enjoyed the whistlestop rst edition and I shall work

hard to make next months evenbetter! Thank you for your continued support and for

being my nearest and dearest!

GB National Selection Regatta

May 2013Take 2! The added importance of selection for the European championships this regatta was an even

more nerve racking experience...

An evening race meant a day of nerves but my incredible supporters kept me occupied until it was timeto prepare.... despite a dodgy start another two wins meant.....SELECTION for the GB team! I'mgobsmacked!!!

I remember on New Years Eve saying one of my resolutions was to get to a European or WorldChampionships in a new sport......if I'm honest I thought it was a long shot but with incredible support

and belief from those closest to me I am lucky enough to be sitting here on the verge of achieving thatdream....maybe Rio isn't that far off after all.....

Next steps!......Buying a boat (scary thought!) Completing my rstinternational race the European Champs involving races on Fri June14th & hopefully Sat 15th so birthday postponed till I'm back!