Campbell Walsh hopes to continue surprising himself. An Olympic silver medal in Athens six years ago was hardly expected when he was a promising junior in his sport and maybe there will be an Olympic gold in London 2012.

After missing out on medal in Beijing, Walsh took a break from canoeing and did not train for several weeks as he weighed up his options.

Last year was supposed to be one of consolidation but one he was back in the competitive environment, he showed he could still cut it with the very best. A fourth place at the World Championships and decent showing at World Cup events gave him an excellent base to attack 2010.

The Bridge of Allan paddler, based in Nottingham, had another enforced break over the festive period due to the big freeze in Britain but that is a distant memory as he is currently in Sydney on a five-week training camp with many of the Great Britain squad in preparation for the new season.

Walsh is based at the site of the 2000 Olympics and he believes it is the perfect environment to get in some heavy training.

“Most of the GB squad are here, along with the GB team coaches and a physio. We have plenty of access to the good white water channel here and, of course, far more pleasant weather conditions than back home,” he outlines.

“Another advantage to being away on camp is the lack of distractions or 'stuff to do' so recovery is better and you can train maybe just that little bit harder.

“I don’t plan any major changes in terms of preparation. The plan is to get slightly better at everything, and together, those tiny improvements will hopefully add up to make a noticeable difference on race day.”

It is a big change from the conditions he left back in Britain but, after last year’s break, Walsh is more relaxed about missing some whitewater work.

“I love snow and had fun out playing in it,” he continues, “It was the first time in many years that I'd been sledging. But getting soaked in the cold water and then suffering in the wind chill every time I go through a wave is pretty horrid! I didn't do much paddling for a few weeks.

”It got a little frustrating but didn't concern me too much as I knew I was coming out to Australia soon and would get plenty of quality whitewater work in here. I still had a good block of physical training over Christmas - indoors on the kayak ergo, running and weights. Although finding somewhere to run that was not too icy was also difficult.”

London 2012 is looming ever closer but this year promises to be a big year for Walsh with European and World Championships on the horizon.

His ambition is still to win a world or Olympic title having medalled in both events but the gold still eluding him.

His targets for the year ahead? “As always, I wish to perform at or very near to the best of my ability. Unfortunately I can't give you a time I want to achieve as every race is different, world records don't exist.

“Nor can I really give you a result I wish to achieve because I have no control over how anybody else races.

”In training, the idea is raise the bar both technically and physically. Then combine the two to consistently reproduce high level race performances. Not easy in our sport.

”However, my dream goal, the reason I am training and racing, is because I want to win either one of the World Champs or Olympic Games. I've won medals at both, but yet to get that major gold at the big race of the year. Personally, I rate them on equal terms.”

Walsh’s first competitive outing will be at the end of this month when he has a race in Australia before coming home and will be up against a strong field.

As well as the GB squad, a few top European paddlers winter out in Australia and will be keen to test themselves.

“It’s a nice early-season test but it’s not a major concern for me,” Walsh concludes, “The first big race will be the European Championships in Bratislava at the start of June. There are then three World Cup races in July before the World Championships in Slovenia in September.”

RM
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