Elite athlete scheme
Elite athlete's hopes for student rodeo
Bill Anderson is on our elite athlete scheme and competes in freestyle kayaking. Here he talks about his sport.
Freestyle kayaking is a relatively new canoe sport derived from kayakers surfing white water waves in rivers and developing trick moves for fun. Competitions began in the late 1980s. It is now an International Canoe Federation recognised sport in its own right with national and international competitions.
The aim of the competitions is to perform as many highly technical acrobatic tricks and moves as possible, in 45 seconds, on a white water feature.
Do you compete against other students and other universities?
Yes, In fact I am about to compete in the National Student Rodeo in Nottingham, which is the largest attended freestyle kayak competition in the world. I am looking forward to representing the Teesside and competing against tough opposition including former world champions who are competing this year!
Are you the only person competing in this event from Teesside?
No, the kayak club is going as a club so there will be 15 of us ranging from novices to experts. We only have a small club but I think we can certainly punch our weight. We have some really talented individuals including Elite Athlete Nicola Beeby in the expert class. Personally, I was disappointed with coming fourth last year and can’t wait to set the record straight this year.
Bill you are on the elite athlete scheme - how is the scheme helping you improve?
I took three years out of the sport and only started to compete again last academic year. I came seventh in Great Britain then, and was really pleased. I'm really optimistic about this season and hoping to break into the top five in Great Britain, I'm especially looking forward to the Freestyle world cup in the summer.
One of the main things the scheme has given me is a structure to my training. It is great to have someone there when I am training, especially when I have to do tough gym sessions, it just helps me get an extra couple of percent out of myself.
The video analysis of some of my training sessions has also been really useful, which when coupled with the Sports Science software has allowed me to quantify the angle of my boat. This tells me how well I'm performing, and what I need to concentrate on, to perfect my moves. With other aspects of the Elite Athlete package, this really gives me an opportunity to develop and realise my potential.
Finally, can you give a brief overview of a day in the life of an elite freestyle kayaker?
It's a bit like the Rocky films really, raw eggs for breakfast and sprint training up Middlesbrough tower! No, only joking. I get up in the morning between 5.00am and 7.00am, take my resting heart rate, and body weight and hydration levels. Typically I go into uni, attend lectures and go to the gym.
In the evening I usually try to get out in the boat or if the water level is not sufficient, out on the bike. Then it's pretty much time for bed. Exciting stuff!
I also have to work, concentrate on the last year of my BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering with Disaster Management degree, run the kayak club and sit on sports committee. Oh, and I have to eat too; in fact the nutritionist says I have to fit in five meals a day.
