Date of birth: 22.7.1987
I began kayaking, because my parents lived close to a canal. There it was easy to begin. I started kayaking when I was 8 years old. I was a member of a club at which freestyle kayaking was more important than traditional kayak disciplines. Therefore, I began freestyle kayaking at the age of 13. At that time, there was no real selected French team. It was really easy to go to the worlds. I attended my first pre-Worlds (the year in-between World Championships) when I was 14 years old. It was really exciting. There were a lot of people who told me “you are really young, that’s good”. It was just a great experience. I wasn’t strong enough to be successful, but it motivated me a lot. After that, I was part of the French team every single year until today. As a junior, I didn’t have good results. But when I turned 18 and became a senior, I immediately won the European Championship. That was 2 years ago. This year, I was 4th at the Worlds.
From the moment I turned senior, I started to achieve my goals. I think it’s because I found a good training technique. I try to incorporate different sports in my training routine, like gymnastics (trampoline), weight-lifting, or climbing. I train two hours each day, sometimes more, depending on the water level
I study economy and social administration in Lyon. I’ve completed the second year at my university and will complete my bachelor degree next year. Afterwards I want to get a master degree in sports marketing, because that is directly related to me. I would love to work for a sports brand or with athletes. My university has high level sports statutes which allow me to organize my day and week around my training program. I can use all sports facilities at the university and I have a personal tutor. My goal is to win the Worlds at least one time, but that would probably just be the beginning of a new objective and ambition. This year, I was one of the two youngest in the final. At our age, each year makes a big difference. A 25-year-old is much stronger, both physically and mentally, than an 18- or 19-year-old. Every year I gain more experience, so my time will come.
I like kayaking, because it allows me to travel a lot. I love the traditional spirit of kayaking, being outside in nature. But I also enjoy the big competitions. There is always a big party afterwards, and the relation to other kayakers is good, especially among freestyle kayakers. We are one big family. Unfortunately we are often not recognized as a high level sport. You train hard, but you don’t get the training conditions that other athletes in other sports have. Our sport is really new, and personally I think the federation doesn’t want to recognize it, especially in France. Slalom kayaking is too big and it is an Olympic discipline. That’s all what counts. Freestyle is not only a different way of kayaking, it is another lifestyle.
I think the engagement of adidas could make a difference. If a big company supports us, we can improve and we can train more. If one global player is interested in us and directs attention to us, hopefully others will follow
Strengths
When I have an idea, I realize it. I am very focused. I like to have objectives to know where I’m going. If I have the worlds coming up, I can plan my year accordingly. I’ve always done sports in my life, so I know what to bring in from other sports that help me kayaking. Like trampoline for balance and orientation. I do it with my eyes closed, that helps me a lot.
Weaknesses
Sometimes I am too focused and I realize only afterwards that I made some people mad. When I’ve made a plan to train four hours a day, I do it regardless – even if I am too tired. I don’t stop myself and then I get exhausted.
