BIOGRAPHY
Date of Birth: 08/08/1982
Born: Aberdeen, Scotland
Hometown: Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Lives: Loughton, Essex
Olympic Games: Beijing 2008
Class: Canoe Slalom - Men's C1 & Men's C2
Paddling since: 1996
Club: Forth
Coach: Mark Delaney
Boat: Vajda Supremo 2
Paddles: Vajda
Sponsors: Lloyd's Register, Sandiline, Vajda, Sub Zero
Lottery Funding: UK Sport Podium Programme
Hobbies: Skiing, tennis, golf, languages (he learnt Mandarin prior to the Beijing Olympics), bagpipe playing
Website www.davidflorence.com
Notes:
Scottish-born David is a men's C1and C2 slalom canoeist and has been selected for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games in both events.
He is an Olympic silver medallist (Beijing 2008), World Cup series Champion and is consistently moving up the ranks in canoe slalom. In 2009 he also began competing in C2 with Richard Hounslow and in 2010 won both World and European Championship bronze medals. He was also a member of the C2 Team that won bronze at the World Championships in 2011.
OLYMPIC GAMES
Mens C1 - Silver
ICF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mens C1 - 12th
Mens C2 - Bronze
ICF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mens C1 - 14th
Mens C2 - 4th
Mens C2 Team - Bronze
ICF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mens C1 - 5th
Mens C2 - 10th
Mens C2 Team - Bronze
ICF WORLD CUPS
WC 1 - Cardiff
Mens C1 - Gold
Mens C2 - Gold
WC2 - Pau
Mens C1 - 25th
Mens C2 - 14th
ICF WORLD CUPS
WC1 Tacen
Mens C1 - Gold
Mens C2 -15th
WC4 Prague
Mens C1 - Bronze
Mens C2 - Bronze
CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mens C1 - 10th
Mens C2 - 4th
CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mens C1 - 10th
Mens C2 - 4th
Mens C2 Team - Gold
CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mens C1 - 9th
Mens C2 - Bronze
Mens C2 Team - Bronze
CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mens C1 - 5th
Mens C2 - 9th
Mens C2 Team - Silver
PLACE OF RESIDENCE
I live in Loughton near Lee Valley where I train.
HIGHER EDUCATION
I have a degree in Mathematical Physics from The University of Nottingham
WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START CANOEING/ KAYAKING?
Seacliff Beach near Edinburgh in 1996 because my uncle had a couple of canoes with him on a family day at the beach.
HOBBIES
Favourite Food - Thai
HOBBIES
Snowboarding, surfing, languages.
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT COMPETITION
Merano World Cup 2001
MEMORABLE SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
It’s close between winning my first Olympic Medal and winning the double at the World Championships in Prague in 2013.
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN CAREER
Probably my Dad because he started my brother and me out in the support and continues to support me.
HERO/IDOL
I wouldn’t say I’ve ever really had a hero or an idol exactly, but when I started out the C1 paddlers I most looked up to were Gareth Marriott and Lukas Pollert.
SUPERSTITIONS/ RITUALS/ BELIEFS
I’m not really superstitious at all.
SPORTING PHILOSOPHY/ MOTTO
I really believe in simply trying to be the best that you can possibly be.
FAVOURITE PADDLING COURSE
I really enjoyed Beijing because it was such big, challenging water, but I love most of the courses we paddle at the major races.
FAVOURITE FOOD
Thai/Japanese
FAVOURITE MUSIC
I grew up listening to Belle and Sebastian and The Smiths
AMBITIONS
I’d love to win the Olympic Games.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Honorary Doctorate from The University of Nottingham
SPORTING RELATIVES
My father and maternal uncle were both Scottish Champions. My brother competed at The World Championships for Great Britain. My great-grandfather was World Billiards Champion.
OTHER SPORTS
snowboarding, surfing
United Kingdom
