James THWAITE (NZL)
New Zealand
Age:
26 years
Languages:
English
Federation:
NEW ZEALAND CANOEING FEDERATION INC.
Biography
Further Personal Information
NICKNAME
Jimmy
PLACE OF RESIDENCE
Tauranga
OCCUPATION
Student
WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START CANOEING/ KAYAKING?
I first started canoeing aged 13 at Waimarino (in Tauranga) and began
paddling slalom a year later.
REASON FOR TAKING UP THE SPORT
My first contact with the sport was at a school Open Day, where I got to
see some whitewater paddling videos. That prompted me to start paddling and I've
been hooked ever since.
CLUB
Canoe Slalom Bay of Plenty / Tauranga Boys College
NAME OF COACH
Martin Hammer [Club, Personal] / Aaron Osborne [National]
NATIONALITY OF YOUR COACH
Czech Republic (Martin) and New Zealand (Aaron)
SINCE WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN COACHED BY HIM/ HER?
Aged 14 with Martin and 16 with Aaron
TRAINING REGIME
Generally 12-15 sessions a week including running and gym. Generally 2-3
gyms, 2-3 runs and the remainder paddling depending on season etc.
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT YEAR
2015
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT COUNTRY
United Kingdom
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT COMPETITION
World Championships
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT LOCATION
Lee Valley (London)
MEMORABLE SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Probably coming 13th at Junior Worlds in 2014. For me it was a really cool
occasion as it was one of my first ever big races, and putting in a good run was
an added bonus.
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN CAREER
My Coach
HERO/IDOL
Tony Estanguet
SUPERSTITIONS/ RITUALS/ BELIEFS
Always try and do a final solid upstream before going to the start line.
SPORTING PHILOSOPHY/ MOTTO
"A lifetime of glory is worth a moment of pain"
FAVOURITE PADDLING COURSE
Penrith
FAVOURITE FOOD
Pizza
FAVOURITE MUSIC
Bit of everything
AMBITIONS
Slalom: Medal at the U-23 World Championships and one day qualify for the
Olympics.
