David Florence defied the odds and a raging and foaming torrent to claim Olympic slalom canoe silver.

The boy who once applied to be an astronaut had taken a giant leap of his own and was finally flying high.

Now - nine months on - and his feet are finally, pardon the pun, back on the ground with this weekend's European Championships in Nottingham bringing the 26-year old back to reality.

"After the Olympics life was certainly hectic," admitted Florence.

"I got loads of opportunities and I enjoyed every one of them - I even got the chance to meet the Queen three times in ten days!

"It was an amazing few days but thankfully it calmed down eventually. I soon realised that if I was serious about London 2012 and turning my silver into a gold, I'd need to get back to working.

"I had about two weeks off the water, then I knew it was time to start training again.

Twenty-five nations, including some of slalom canoeing's powerhouses, are competing at Holme Pierrepont, whose future as the national watersports centre remains in doubt following funding fears.

Great Britain is represented in all four classes this weekend and performance director John Anderson has claimed the event will fire the starting gun on the next Olympic cycle.

It's the first time a major championship has been staged in the UK for 14 years and Florence, who trains in Nottingham, is hoping familiarity breeds success.

"I've never raced at home in an event like this, so it's a big deal," added Florence.

"With 2012 on the horizon, this is a major thing for us. It's great to have a championship where you can stay at home and be surrounded by all the things you are familiar with.

"There is an advantage for us because we train here every day but in my experience the best paddlers will still win in the end."