Great Britain canoeist James Kettle hoping for home help

With an impressive track record and a bronze medal from the 2019 World Junior Championships, Tower Hamlets-born Kettle is poised to showcase his exceptional skills and capitalise on the home advantage.

Kettle, 21, now lives just a stone’s throw from Lee Valley White Water Centre, which is operated by charitable enterprise Better, and has a deep connection to the venue and its surroundings.

“Since I heard the race was going to be here, I just couldn’t wait and really hoped I’d make it onto the team. It’s really exciting,” he said.

“I’ve been paddling here since it was built, so to be able to race here now it really does feel like home.”

Kettle’s exceptional performances at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Krakow, Poland, cemented his status as a promising athlete in canoe slalom. He finished eighth in the men’s C1 final and secured bronze in the team event, alongside Alfie Boote and Kurts Adams-Rozentals.

Continuing his success on a national level, Kettle demonstrated his prowess by securing the second boat in the junior men’s C1 selection race at Lee Valley, with his triumph as junior British Open champion further solidifying his position as a rising star in the sport of canoe slalom.

Kettle trains at the world class facility near Waltham Cross in Hertfordshire every day both on the course and in the gym to continue improving his performance levels and hopes to use his inside knowledge to his advantage.

“I think there is definitely a home advantage in this sport, so hopefully I can use that this September and do whatever I can,” he added.

“There has been a lot of change, various changes to the course over the years, and it’s just the whole area around it has gradually expanded, getting better and becoming more high performance, especially for our side. Also the rafting and all the activities for the public, it’s really good to see.

“Family living nearby and also family travelling down to see. Also local friends coming to watch because it’s local, it’s perfect.

“I’m here on the water pretty much every day, sometimes twice a day, and also using the gym here as well. I do as much training here as possible. It truly is a world class place to train, so I love it here.”

Beyond dedication to his sport, Kettle is a multi-talented individual and showcases musical abilities by playing the guitar and holding a grade 8 proficiency in classical and electric styles. In his spare time, he also takes pleasure in composing music, demonstrating his creativity off the water.

To book your trip to Lee Valley White Water Centre visit https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/white-water-centre/activities