British Canoeing’s 2012 Olympic Legacy Programme might be little over three years old but already it has reached a major landmark.
 
Earlier this month, 14 year old Beth Forrow became the programme’s first athlete, and the first Lee Valley Paddledports Club member, to qualify for a British team after winning the 18 and under selection trial in women’s C1.
 
“Before the race I was hoping to get selected but I was still very shocked to actually get on the team.  “But obviously I’m really happy to be selected,” said the Cheshunt teenager who will compete in the team bound for July’s World Championships in Krakow, Poland and the European Championships at Solkan, Slovenia in August.
 
Beth had been a talented netball player when British Canoeing coaches visited her school as part of a talent identification programme, which screened 1500 local senior school children.
 
Despite never having been in a canoe she demonstrated all the right attributes to succeed in the sport and was selected for the programme along with 16 other youngsters.
 
She has since given up netball, and a place on England Netball’s performance pathway, to focus on canoe slalom and trains at Lee Valley nine times each week.
 
“Lee Valley is one of the best courses in the world and we get loads of water time,” said Beth, who has progressed from the Legacy to the full Olympic course since she began and, along with other leading youngsters in each category, gets to train with the GB senior team two mornings each week.
 
Three times World Champion and British Canoeing’s Lead Regional Pathway Coach, Shaun Pearce, is the man in charge of the Legacy Programme which continues its screening in local schools each year.
 
“We are now close to having 35 children on the programme and the 2014 intake is hot on the heels of the original 2013 group, which is great for competition,” said Shaun.

“We have come a long way in three years and we’re providing a lot more Olympic water for the children as the majority have outgrown the Legacy course.
 
“I’m really pleased that Beth has been selected to compete for Great Britain. She is one of a number of kids on the programme who are performing well at this level.”

Pushing Beth all the way at this month’s selection event was Phoebe Spicer.  The pair this winter became the first Talent ID athletes selected onto the England National Talent Squad.

Other successes emerging from the Talent ID are Hannah Thomas and Jason Brewer, both newly promoted to the Premier division.
 
All are members of Lee Valley Paddlesports Club which is supported by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Lee Valley White Water Centre and British Canoeing.
 
Said Lee Valley Paddlesports Club’s Slalom Secretary, Glen Pether:  “We are very proud of Beth and her achievements, especially at such an early stage of her development and against such tough competition.
 
“As well having a gritty determination to do her best, Beth has calmness in her approach to races which will no doubt benefit her as she progresses.
 
“Just as important is the fantastic support network she has around her.  Not only coaches and friends, mum and dad spend weekends beside rivers in remote locations across the country at races and training camps.
 
“Everyone at the club will be rooting for Beth when she competes at the World and European Championships later this year.”