Inspirational Evesham teenager to compete at World Canoe Slalom Championships - The Evesham Observer

Inspirational Evesham teenager to compete at World Canoe Slalom Championships

Evesham Editorial 29th Jul, 2017 Updated: 29th Jul, 2017   0

AN EVESHAM teenager is getting set to make a splash at this summer’s European and World Canoe Slalom Championships thanks to the backing of a Vale flooring company.

Karndean Designflooring has lent its support to Mike Dickinson who has beaten the odds to be selected to represent Great Britain in the championships in Hohenlimburg, Germany, and Bratislava in Slovakia.

He originally started kayaking as physical therapy to strengthen his health after overcoming two open heart surgeries to correct life threatening congenital heart defects.

The teenager has not allowed his past health issues to hold him back and has competed at numerous domestic events as well as all over Europe.




His hard work has paid off as he was selected from all of the juniors in the country to represent Great Britain.

To prepare for competitions, Mike has been travelling to Nottingham three times a week to train and improve his chances of being selected for the GB team.


He also spent weekends leading up to the GB 2017 selection races training at the 2012 Olympic course in London.

Caring staff at Karndean have thrown their support behind Mike for the year ahead with sponsorship to cover essential costs such as carbon fibre paddles, transportation and appropriate race clothing.

“I’m extremely proud and excited to be representing Great Britain this summer,” Mike said.

“I have always lived in Evesham and I love the town and its community, so having a local company like Karndean sponsoring me will be like taking a piece of home with me when I travel.

“I’m so grateful to them for their support and I’m looking forward to competing and hopefully bringing back some medals.”

Paul Barratt, managing director at Karndean Designflooring, said: “Mike has overcome difficult health challenges and shown such resilience and determination to reach this fantastic achievement.

“We are thrilled to be supporting Mike and wish him the best of luck with the championships.”

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