YOUNG Evesham Paddle Monsters have started the 2019 canoe slalom season in fine form.
Competing nationally at the highest level and also at the GB team selection events, Edward Dickinson has earned himself a place in the GB junior team reserves in the men’s kayak category.
This is an amazing achievement for an athlete in his first year of junior 18 competition. He has been training hard all winter to see if he could make team and he has exceeded everyone’s expectations.
He has moved up to Nottingham in order to complete his A-levels and be able to train with his British Canoeing coach – a big commitment at only 16. He is following in, and hoping to match, his brother Mike Dickinson’s footsteps who competed in the GB team in his final year of junior 18.
In the Premier Division race in Scotland, the boys both got a personal best result with Mike finishing tenth and Edward 12th in the country.
Canoe slalom is run on white water, but the boys had their junior days training on the river Avon at Waterside and, although you can still occasionally see them here, you can often see mum and dad who both compete and are ranked high in their age groups. John Dickinson is ranked first in the country and Karen Dickinson third.
Currently the boys are doing well in the senior rankings of the Premier Division in the country with Mike Dickinson ranked 11th overall and Edward snapping at his heels in 13th.
It is going to be an exciting year to see which brother comes out on top. The next race is on May 25 at Holme Pierrepont white water centre in Nottingham.
Anyone individuals or businesses interested in sponsoring Edward on his journey to the Junior World Championships next year can email [email protected].