Bethan Forrow holding 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup flag.

Bethan Forrow calls on fans and newcomers for an ‘extra boost’

C1 athlete Bethan Forrow called on dedicated fans and newcomers alike to come together and get behind GB athletes at the 2019 World Cup.
The 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup at Lee Valley is just under a year away. Bethan believes the atmosphere at Lee Valley will be “amazing”. She says:

“It will be amazing to be able to compete in front of the home fans. Just so the fans can see the sport live in person rather than on a screen. There’s definitely a different atmosphere when you watch slalom live.
“This atmosphere will give us athletes an extra boost performing in front of home support. We already know the course, we are familiar with it and we will have that extra bit of comfort.”

And it is not just the fans who will enjoy the action, she says:

“I think people should come down because it is something different to your everyday sport. The atmosphere you feel at Lee Valley, especially from a home crowd, is amazing on the bank and especially in the water.
“To feel the support that everyone has for you is incredible. It will be great to see all the hard work the British Canoeing athletes put in and the hopefully the hard work will pay off.”

2018 has already been an incredible year for 17-year-old Bethan Forrow, going into selection races with the ambition of retaining her place on the junior team. However, the Cheshunt paddler surpassed all expectations and reached the C1 senior side for the first time.

Bethan Forrow on the importance of Lee Valley

Bethan has only been paddling for five years after starting the sport through the Talent ID process, and she believes had Lee Valley not been built so close to home, she may never have taken up the sport. She said:

“I started canoeing when I was 12. I got into it through talent ID testing as part of the legacy programme. They came into our school.
“There were two phases. We took part in gyms sessions as well as water sessions. They then picked approximately 30 paddlers out after the test.
“I don’t think I would have got into canoe slalom had the Lee Valley course not been built. I knew that Lee Valley was on my doorstep, and I saw the sport in action at the Olympics. However, I never thought I would get the opportunity to try such an incredible sport like canoe slalom.”

Don’t miss the Bethan Forrow and the Great Britain slalom team prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
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