Interview: Peter Tranter Photos: Pete Astles, Peak PS & Ben Haylett Derby-born Ben Haylett made his first senior appearance in 2021 at the World Cup Final in Pau, aged 20, and has since become an established performer at the under-23 level for TeamGB. In 2023, he won bronze in the kayak team event at the European Under-23 Championships in Bratislava with Sam Leaver and David Paterson and finished sixth in the individual K1. This was capped in the 2024 U23 Europeans in Krakow with two gold medals, so we thought it was time to catch up with one of GB’ s most promising athletes. Take it away, Ben …
PADDLER
A chat with … Ben
HAYLETT
Interview: Peter Tranter Photos: Pete Astles, Peak PS & Ben Haylett Derby-born Ben Haylett made his first senior appearance in 2021 at the World Cup Final in Pau, aged 20, and has since become an established performer at the under-23 level for TeamGB. In 2023, he won bronze in the kayak team event at the European Under-23 Championships in Bratislava with Sam Leaver and David Paterson and finished sixth in the individual K1. This was capped in the 2024 U23 Europeans in Krakow with two gold medals, so we thought it was time to catch up with one of GB’ s most promising athletes. Take it away, Ben …
BEFORE WE START, PLEASE TELL OUR READERS A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR BACKGROUND, WHERE YOU COME FROM, ETC.
I grew up with my parents in Breaston, Derbyshire. I wasn’ t a particularly sporty kid, but I always enjoyed playing and watching sports at any opportunity. School wasn’ t my strong point, but I got it done and finished my education with my A-Levels at Friesland School.
PADDLER
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