Interview

How did you first become involved in kayaking?
I started at Reading University Canoe Club, initially I wanted to join a windsurfing club, but there wasn’t one, so I figured (despite not knowing what a canoe/kayak was) the canoe club would be the next best thing.

What is it about kayaking you like so much?
Meeting so many people on the river, going to places I wouldn’t see if I wasn’t kayaking; the adrenalin at the top of a new rapid, or at the beginning of a competition ride; the feeling of achievement when successfully completing a rapid, or landing a new move; getting air on huge waves.

Were you instantly drawn to freestyle?
I paddled with the Uni club for three years and only did two or three white-water trips a year and then a two week trip to the French Alps every summer. I didn’t start freestyle until I had left uni and got my own car – I then discovered Hurley Weir was only 15 minutes away from where I lived, this was the start of my playboating.

When did you win your first competition?
I honestly can’t remember! Shamefully I didn’t write stuff down – I just assumed it would be something I wouldn’t forget! From looking at my results page on my web site (www.fionajarvie.co.uk) it seems 2003 was a ‘vintage’ year with eight national wins. I do remember I wasn’t very good at the first couple of competitions I entered in ’98, but then went on to achieve a fifth place in the pre-World Championships in New Zealand later that year. The first few years I competed I mainly made the GB team because there wasn’t much competition for the number of ladies places (something which has definitely changed in the last couple of years). My kayaking really started to improve after I spent two months in the United States with a boat that was finally suited to my power/weight in 2002.

Did you join a canoe club?
Only the university one – the majority of us stayed on in Reading after leaving university and continued paddling together for some time so I never needed to join a separate club.

What is your typical day training?
I generally just go paddling at Hurley and do a bit of mountain biking/going to the gym to keep fit, rather than train directly. However, leading up to this year’s World Championships, when I didn’t have too much work on (I’m a primary school supply teacher when I’m not boating), I would do a couple of sessions at Hurley working on new moves and reviewing the video in between to see what I needed to do to improve. Then two to three times a week I’d do an hour in the gym interval training and/or weights.

Are you naturally competitive?
Yes, very. I think it stems from losing to my brother so often at family games!

What is the highlight of your career so far?
Several: winning a bronze medal at the Worlds in Australia 2005 (and being so close to winning silver); winning a bronze medal in the Worlds this year in Canada and second place at the World Cup event on Garburator Wave in Canada, 2006.

What would be your ultimate goal to achieve in freestyle competition?
I would like to win a World Championship or World Cup competition before I retire, I’ve been gradually getting closer, so maybe next time!

What advice would you give to up and coming freestyle paddlers?
Keep having fun as you definitely don’t want to do it for the money (you’ll need to take up slalom for that)!

Thank you Fiona for taking the time to give this interview.