Canoe slalom athlete Hannah Thomas has her sights set on the 2024 Olympics.
Thomas, from Beachlands, started kayaking in the UK and competed for Great Britain before emigrating with her family to New Zealand in 2018.
Hannah’s results in 2019 gained her selection onto High Performance Sport New Zealand’s carded programme where she is supported by practitioners who support and guide her in the art of becoming an elite athlete.
She trains daily at the Vector Wero White Water Centre in Manukau under the guidance of Canoe Slalom New Zealand coaches- as part of the High-Performance Slalom Programme. Earlier this year she made the New Zealand senior team and the U23 team and had planned to travel to Europe in May before Covid restrictions stymied her plans.
Making the best of a bad situation, Hannah is currently working towards her long-term goal which is to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“Training is going well at the moment. I’m currently doing two to three sessions a day. I am also juggling work and studying. During this time of not being able to go to Europe, I am doing as much as I can for my future trips away. “
Participating in canoe slalom comes with its financial challenges and Hannah has teamed up with Vista Drinks and is selling boxes of their drinks as a fundraiser.
If you would like to follow Hannah’s journey, you can find her on Facebook @Hannah Thomas canoe slalom athlete.
For any sponsorship enquiries email HannahThomas1410@gmail.com.
