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World champion canoeist to make a splash about Tees Whitewater Course

1st Sep 2010

Britain’s Laura Blakeman, a world champion canoeist is to be an ambassador for the new £4.6m Tees Barrage whitewater course and will start by promoting it as a pre-2012 games training camp at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Slovenia from 9 – 12 September 2010.

Laura, 31, from Nottingham, has been appointed to provide a link between the new course and the canoeing community on both the national and international circuit.

She said: "I am delighted to be helping the Stockton course attract an Olympic team before the 2012 games. There is already quite a buzz among the canoeing community about it and we are looking forward to trying out the course and facilities. There is a great opportunity to create a brilliant set up at the Tees whitewater course, it has huge potential."

Canoeing course has huge potential

Laura will be promoting the course in Slovenia with representatives from Tees Active who will run the facility when it opens in winter 2010.

She explained the Olympic athletes will be looking for a training course which has a high standard of eddies and rapids where paddlers can make good moves and are able to practice a range of different skills. The fact the Tees course has the same rapidbloc obstacle system as the 2012 whitewater Olympic course in Broxbourne is also a major selling point.

Steve Garcia, project manager, British Waterways which owns the course, said: "It is great news that Laura has agreed to be our ambassador for the course. Her reputation and knowledge will help us to attract world class athletes to the new upgraded £4.6m white water course which will secure its status as a top international sporting venue for all people to enjoy."

Laura started canoeing at 10 years old and won her first national competition at 14 years old, going on to win the Junior European Championship at 18. Last year she was in the GB ladies team which won both the World and European championships. In individual events she came 12th at the Sydney Olympics when she was 21 and her best achievement since then was winning 4th place in the Prague World Cup.

Her next major competition will be May 2011 for the selection for the European and World Championships next year.

Last updated: 01/09/2010

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