Bursting with energy, determination, and an infectious smile, Nicole Wambui Kariuki is making an immediate impression on the global stage.
Kariuki is starring at the International Canoe Federation Slalom World Championships in Sydney, Australia, proudly representing Kenya.
She is one of several paddlers participating in the ICF development camp where she is embracing the challenge with enthusiasm and gratitude.
Her journey is remarkable. Having been in the sport for just five months, she has already advanced from the Tana River in Kenya to the highest level.
Supported by the ICF, she has received coaching, equipment, and the chance to compete against the world’s best.
“They’ve been incredible in terms of being patient with the levels that we’re at, and also supporting us with equipment and understanding slalom as a sport,” said Kariuki.
“We want to bring it to Kenya.
“We have the rivers, and we have the talent, for sure.
“We just need to set up the gates and get some structure behind it.
“Programmes like this really help for us in the bigger scale of things.”
Her roots in paddling go back to the family-owned Jangwani Camp on the Tana River, where rafting is a way of life.
Seeing her potential, local guides encouraged her to step into a kayak, and within months she was training at international level.
“Being here after five months is quite intense and insane, but I’m so grateful,” she added.
“I definitely want to keep going, and also encourage other girls in Kenya to continue paddling. We’re capable of it.”
With her passion, resilience, and pioneering spirit, Kariuki has not only announced herself as an exciting new talent but also as a trailblazer for Canoe Slalom in Africa.
“I really want to help push opening a kayaking club in Kenya,” said Kariuki.
“That’s what we’re working on now, getting more women, girls, and youth on the water.
“The rivers are there, the talent is there.
“They’re beautiful, and everyone is welcome to Kenya.
“The main next thing is pushing the sport.”
Joining Kariuki in the ICF Development Camp is South Africa’s Waris Mills, North Macedonia's Angel Petrushev, Singapore’s Wee Meng Ng, Turkiye’s Mustafa Parklak and Latvia’s Martins Plaudis.
The camp has proven to be a valuable experience for all participants, giving them the chance to compete internationally and forge friendships.
“It’s amazing to be with people from different countries and different struggles who are coming here with the same goal to get their fastest time,” said Ng.
“In sport, it’s about nations coming together to help each other. I love the whole development programme.
“Being on the camp helps to open up our horizon to more possibilities and gain connections with the host country.”
Mills added: “I am so happy. I didn’t know what to expect as it’s my first time being part of the programme and my first World Championships.
“Our coaches are amazing, our accommodation is amazing and the course is amazing so I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
France’s Kilian Foulon is leading the camp with support from coaches Jasmine Royal of Great Britain, Irene Egues of Spain and Lachlan Bassett of Australia.
“It’s one of the best development camps I’ve been involved in as they know how to work together as a group,” said Foulon.
“Even though the level on the water is very different from one another, you can see outside the water that there is so much camaraderie which is nice to see.
“Most of these athletes don’t have the facilities to train in their countries.
“They are using our coaches that have a lot of experience so they can go back to their country with new stuff to work on and a new mindset.”
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