Member Article

Bdaily talks to World Champion kayaker Claire OHara

Claire O’Hara is at the top of her game when it comes to freestyle kayaking. She has a plethora of titles under her belt, after being named World Champion four times over, securing five British Championships and winning four European Championships, to name a few. But how is her advice on how to succeed applicable to business and work? Bdaily spoke to Claire about the upcoming Be World Class Conference on Thursday to find out her tips.

Claire told us about how her route to sporting success, and how this can be used in everyday life.

She said: “At the Be World Class Conference I’ll be talking about attention to detail, which is key in my sport as well as in many people’s working lives.

“My sport is white water kayaking, and I do freestyle kayaking and squirt boating. Freestyle is done in custom-made short kayaks where you surf on the wave and do gymnastics in the water. Squirt boating is where freestyle came from, and this is done in super low volume boats-which are nearly like surfboards.

Claire continued: “Freestyle Kayakers do tricks above and underwater to bring a 3D element to the sport, and these tricks have to be completed in 45 seconds. That’s why attention to detail is really important to show the judges what you can do.”

Bdaily asked Claire about her training regime and how she stays motivated.

“When it comes to training you’ve got to have the determination and drive to work hard. A balance between talent and training is needed, and if you have the passion to work hard on the technical areas where you don’t have a natural talent, you have a chance to go far. You definitely need a competitive mind set to stay focussed.

“My training regime is quite intense. I’m a self-funded athlete so I have to juggle work with my programme too. I’m on the water three to five times a week, and in the gym about 4 times too. Staying focussed on my goals keeps me motivated, and my passion for the sport drives me.”

Claire went on to say how the route to achieving her goals can be transferred to everyday life and work.

“This is definitely applicable to other aspects of life, and it’ll be interesting to see other people’s contribution at the Be World Class event, and get an insight into how ideas can be transferred from my sport to things across the board in day-to-day life and work.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .