James Bebbington–Kayaker
INTERVIEW
don’t be afraid to fail or look stupid when you’re trying to learn something new
very good funding, from grass roots development all the way to the top, with some very good facilities and coaches.
In terms of Freestyle, we have many
great features to train on all across the UK, we have a great series of events that bring young paddlers into our sport and a community called the Youth Freestyle Series.
At the top end we also have some very good coaches that help out the who works with me and Claire O’Hara (GB’s Woman’s World Champion). I think the standard in the UK has always been high, just perhaps in the past we didn’t believe we could shine at the very top, we lacked some belief. Myself and Claire disproved that I think, there is a real energy and belief amongst our freestylers that anything is possible.
Did your approach to the sport change when you became a world champion? Yes. In the past I was always the I kind of struggled with the feeling that now people expect me to do well and consequently under-performed. It’s taken me some time to get used to that and re-adjust but this year I think I’ve learnt how to view it differently and have felt able to perform my best again.
I’d just say go out and enjoy your paddling,
How did you prepare for the Nantahala Freestyle World Championships and how do you rate your chances of winning this year? I’ve just tried to compete as much as possible this year so that I’m really As for my chances, I’m paddling the best I ever have but I think it’s very open this year. This year, I don’t think there are any favourites, it’s very, very close, but if I paddle my best I stand a good chance. Mostly though, I just want to show my best and I’ll be even happier if this results in a win, but there are others who equally deserve to win so we’ll see who has the luck this year!
Who would you say are your main competitors for the Freestyle World Championship? Craig, Bren Orton, James Weight, Quim Fontane Maso, Sebastian there are many who could win here. dangerous though. paddling very well. Peter is a great competitor and has come 2nd in the Worlds twice now, I think he’s going determined.
What advice would you give to younger paddlers? What’s the best way for them to get involved? I’d just say go out and enjoy your paddling, don’t be afraid to fail or look stupid when you’re trying to learn something new, the key to success in freestyle is falling on your face lots until to get you started then just paddle as often as you can.
Lastly, how did you get the nickname Pringle?
When I was 14 I turned up for a two week kayaking camp with just a tent, my kayak and a few packets of Pringles and a little cash. My friends latched onto the Pringles and thought they’d wind me up by calling me Pringle. It annoyed me so much that nickname.
Thanks for your time and good luck during the World Champs! Thanks, I’ll do my best. Also can I just say a big thanks to my sponsors: Equipment, AT paddles and also to my coaching.
You can, and you just did. Thanks!
www.activinstinct.com 73
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