Being an international athlete has been an incredible journey so far. 

Representing Ireland, to placing 8^th in the world and getting the opportunity to travel the globe kayaking with lifelong friends are just some of the unforgettable experiences that I will never take for granted. I was fortunate to find friends who constantly lift my spirits and encourage me to have as much fun on the water as possible while still training and dialing in new tricks.

It would be easy to fall into the trap of letting the kayaking and winning gold medals come before happiness and friendships, but I realised early on the importance of friendship, fun and fulfillment.

The great thing about sport is everyone can find their own level of enjoyment. You don’t have to be a World Champion with hundreds of shiny medals, you just need to find what works for you. For some people this will be training on a daily basis, constantly trying to improve and setting new goals. For others, the enjoyment is simply being active once or twice a week and finding a way to clear their heads after a long week at work.

Water sports in particular are a great way of shutting off from the outside world because everything looks different from the water. Being by the water has a meditative calming effect on our brains, listening to the waves crashing, the sand beneath our feet and the gulls squawking in the distance is a great way to switch off from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

Another positive aspect about sports is the community of like-minded individuals. People who cheer on your achievements and pick you up when you do not reach your goals or aspirations. Those who sit and have the chats while drinking tea and munching on cakes or the type of people who spend hours of their own time giving you tips and tricks to help you improve while expecting nothing in return.  The one common denominator is that every member of the community wants to have fun while doing a sport they all love.

The companionship and sense of belonging, the sharing of stories and food is what brings people back week after week.

If you are an individual looking to get into a sport for the first time, or indeed have lost your mojo for your sport I would highly recommend you focus on the fun and enjoyment without any pressures of trying to be the best or getting a particular skill. Sport should not feel like a chore, it should be what we look forward to doing every day and wishing we were there when we are stuck in the rut of our 9 to 5.

My three top tips are:

1. Surround yourself with positive people – friends/family/like-minded individuals.

2. Celebrate the small wins – getting your wetsuit on a little easier by yourself is huge!

3. Take time to appreciate the nature you are surrounded by –  birds singing, sunshine on your face and breathing in the fresh air.

Don’t forget to take the time after your activity to share the highs and lows of the session. It helps to put it all into perspective and you realise the highs far outweigh the lows. This leaves me itching to go back for more!

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