Isabella WORMALL (GBR)

Issie

I am a 14 year old British freestyle kayaker from London. I have been kayaking for 4 years now and have been paddling freestyle for 3. My home spots are Lee Valley White Water Centre, Holme Pierrepont (HPP) and when the water levels allow the Thames weirs. This is my first year competing as a junior and i have been a part of the Gb freestyle academy since 2020. I am coached by Mike Shaw and Jacko Jackson and have been part of the burners programme since 2020. My favourite tricks to do are massive loops, mcnastys and back loops.

Junior Women's British Champion 2021 2nd at the Hurley Classic in junior women's freestyle

London

"I had heard about kayaking through my dad who sailed and kayaked as a kid and had suggested for me to try it, I first started kayaking when i was 9 as there was a club a couple minutes away from my house. In the summer i decided to go for the first time on an open day and loved it, going every day for the next week. This was where i met my coach Mike Shaw for the first time and have been kayaking ever since. "

I play netball and do trampolining but i am mostly kayaking.

Mike Shaw and Jacko Jackson

I think for me that my best kayaking achievement so far has been winning the British Championships at the end of September 2021 as it was my first time competing at a competition and winning the women's junior British champion was a great motivator for me.

A great day boating for me is when i am able to paddle with my friends in the sun, when the water isn't too cold learning and everyone i am paddling with are able to mess about on the features eg. doing a party wave and trying synchro moves together. It is also when i am improving new tricks and making my old ones cleaner / bigger, getting consistent scoring routines and just being able to have a fun, happy time on the water.

Some of my favourite places to paddle are Inlet gate, Makinito, Hurley and Boulters weirs.

Some of my ambitions in freestyle kayaking are: I would like to get an over 300 point ride at the world championships this year in Twin, Nottingham and make the semi-finals/Finals. To be able to score an over 1000-point ride in an ICF competition in Inlet, Nottingham, by the end of 2023. To be able to place in a podium position or win a world/European championships as a junior woman. To score at least 800 points in one ride under ICF scoring at the Plattling (Germany) World Championships in 2025 as a junior.