I am a rugby watcher by heart, following my dad’ s love for it, so I often spend the weekends with the Six Nations when it’ s on. Travelling with my Girlfriend Phoebe is also something we try to plan as an escape, and we love exploring all over the world. www. instagram. com / ben _ haylett _ k1 / PADDLER 53
WHAT’ S THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO AN ASPIRING SLALOMER JUST STARTING?
Watch, paddle with and talk to as many top athletes as possible- we don’ t bite! I Would recommend it as a really great way to get insight into how to approach everything from day-
“ to-day training to race-day mentality and performing on the world stage.
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You are one of GB’ s most promising paddlers- does one past competition stand out the most? The U23 Europeans in Krakow stand out, and I walked away from it as a double European champion in teams and slalom. It is a day that I’ ll remember for the rest of my life as my first medal; however, I was fortunate enough to share it with my Parents, who always supported me.
Who are your role models, and who / what keeps you motivated? My role models are the people around me and those I hold close, such as my family. This, in turn, keeps me motivated, alongside the constant desire to be the best in the world that started to brew in me from a young age.
What would a typical food day be for you from breakfast to supper? For breakfast, porridge, banana honey, raisins plus juice, coffee plus one-litre of water. A protein snack post training plus carbohydrate plus water. Lunch is high-carb, e. g., leftover pasta and a protein or four eggs on toast with salad plus fruit. Then coffee and water pre-session with a snack and protein hit post-second session, plus water. Dinner is high-carb dinner, again, e. g., chicken and chorizo pasta plus water plus fruit. Averaging around 3,500 calories per day so as to maintain.
Which river anywhere in the world would be on your bucket list? The Kaituna is definitely up there, having seen other athletes running it.
As for the training venues, which is your favourite? Penrith is one of the best. The weather, facilities and white water make for a great place to improve. The flat water is excellent for physicals, and the gym is close by and well-kitted out. It’ s like being at home! In addition, having a lot of the world’ s best head out there in the winter months makes for a mega training and competing environment.
Is there anywhere in the world that’ s got you hooked, somewhere you want to return to again and again? I would love to go to Australia and explore New Zealand more. Although I have never been there, I loved the culture and feel of life in Australia, and would love to explore that side of the world properly.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years? I would love to still be involved in canoe slalom at the highest level. I aspire to be a performance coach, but unfortunately, by the time I’ m 43, I think my athlete days might be slightly behind me!
OK – life isn’ t all about kayaking – so what else interests you when you get the time? I love spending my time coaching – I’ m still canoeing. Like most people, I love a quiet weekend on the sofa watching the sport or cooking a good dinner for friends.
I am a rugby watcher by heart, following my dad’ s love for it, so I often spend the weekends with the Six Nations when it’ s on. Travelling with my Girlfriend Phoebe is also something we try to plan as an escape, and we love exploring all over the world. www. instagram. com / ben _ haylett _ k1 / PADDLER 53