PADDLER PROFILE

Name: Prudence Blyth

Age: 18

Years paddling: 8 years paddling, 6 years playing Polo

Competition Success:

Not much with the squad to be honest... unfortunately 3rd place has crept up twice since I’ve been playing for GB!! My first year in GB was with the U21s in 2005. I played at the Europeans in Madrid and placed 3rd behind Germany and POLAND! There wasn’t an U21 ladies category at the 2006 world championships so no success or unsuccessfulness for me there. In 2007 I played with the big guns of the nation, the senior women and once again coming 3rd at the Europeans in France. I joined Avon canoe club when I was 15 and played my first national league with the C team in division 3. Last season 2006/2007 I played in the mens’ B team where we finished 2nd in div3 and coming 3rd in div1 women. Current season, 2007/2008 I played with the mens’ A team in div2 where we finished 2nd. Avon ladies are currently top of the league so final placing will be decided after the final tournament.

DBxclusive products used:

I paddle the flight and have been for 4 years now and probably will do for the next 40! Along with my boat I wear a DBxclusive competition deck with lycras and skin shorts. Unfortunately Dave hasn’t brought out his bikini range yet but hopefully I’ll get to model that soon...

Favourite DB product and why:

I’d be stuck without my competition deck. With it being made to measure it’s unique for every individual who wears one, as most polo players come in all sorts of weird shapes and sizes giving great freedom for movement.

Describe your most memorable kayaking experience:

There has been many, but some that happen on tour should stay on tour!

I guess receiving the phone call saying I had been selected for the womens team to play at the Europeans would probably rank quite high on the list, but My favourite tournament would have to be Copenhagen in 2006. A group of us entered as ‘absolut ladies’ and we played in our smarties fablon boats. A very fun tournament where we came 3rd competing against many national teams training for the worlds. Most memorable game from the tournament against New Zeeland drawing 6-6 and playing 5 out for pretty much the whole of the second half with the whole of the Australian squad cheering us on. Not really sure how we managed to achieve that score line when 2 months later they came 2nd at the worlds?!

Advice for any new kayakers coming into the sport:

Try to participate in all canoeing disciplines. I used to do allot of white water paddling and surfing, I think that has helped allot with my boat control- although others may say different...
Play as many games as you can to gain game awareness and you’ll learn essential skills quicker and will be able to apply them better rather than jut practicing them in drills.
Most importantly, have lots of fun... It is only a game after all!!

Review the Flight

The most important thing for me is the Flight allows rapid acceleration, with the nose clear out of the water helping to maintain its top speed on sprints. The scooped nose and back aid in boat control, whether it be slicing underneath opponents boats and driving players across the zone or spinning quickly on turn overs of the ball. With the seat having a high back support, this creates a resistance when pushing on your foot rests giving a snug fit inside for complete control. With most of the volume around the cockpit and just behind, defending is made easy by having the stability where it Is needed most. This acts almost as a pivot point for the scoop at the front and the back.

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