The GBR Mens Rafting Team has a prolific history of athletes and is well respected on the European and World stages. The Team is made up of a group of passionate individuals, sharing their love for the sport, full dedication to training and desire to gain medals in the process.
The squad has been based at Lee Valley White Water Centre, home of the 2012 Olympics, for the past 3 years where they have prepared for the following competitions:
- R4 European Championships, Bratislava, 2014
- R6 European Championships, Bosnia, 2015
- R6 World Championships, Indonesia, 2015
- R4 European Championships, Slovenia, 2016
Final preparations at the centre are now underway for the R4 World Championships, Al Ain, U.A.E. and with a new coach and training cycle, the GB men are confident that they will produce a solid result, build on their recent success in Slovenia and improve in the events which have historically proven sticking points for the team.
Charlie Lodge
| Years rafting: | 3 Years |
| Favourite rafting discipline: | Head to Head |
| Best thing about rafting: | Rafting brings many people and cultures together |
| Worst thing about rafting: | Winter Training |
| Favourite gym exercise | Battle Ropes |
| Favourite food & drink: | Fresh Fish and Milk |
| Current job: | Improvement Co-ordinator – Civil Engineering |
Alan Beecroft
| Years rafting: | 2 Years |
| Favourite rafting discipline: | Head to Head |
| Best thing about rafting: | Bringing people together, working as a team to achieve something special (hopefully) |
| Worst thing about rafting: | Early morning starts and constant aches |
| Favourite gym exercise | Single Arm Row |
| Favourite food & drink: | Chicken and Coffee |
| Current job: | Planner – Civil Engineering |
Pas Blackwell
| Years rafting: | 11 Years |
| Favourite rafting discipline: | Slalom |
| Best thing about rafting: | Seeing different parts of the world |
| Worst thing about rafting: | It is currently self-funded |
| Favourite gym exercise | C1 Ergo |
| Favourite food & drink: | Chocolate & Beer |
| Current job: | Centre Manager – Lee Valley White Water Centre |
Chris Coward
| Years rafting: | 2 Years |
| Favourite rafting discipline: | Downriver |
| Best thing about rafting: | New rivers and great experiences |
| Worst thing about rafting: | Being sick at R6 Worlds in Indonesia |
| Favourite gym exercise | Pull ups |
| Favourite food & drink: | Indian and Jagerbombs (only in the off season of course) |
| Current job: | Captain – British Army |
Rob Powell
| Years rafting: | 2 Years |
| Favourite rafting discipline: | Slalom |
| Best thing about rafting: | Representing my country with pride |
| Worst thing about rafting: | Rafting is not an Olympic sport (yet) |
| Favourite gym exercise | Chin Ups |
| Favourite food & drink: | Chicken & Coffee |
| Current job: | Paddle Sports Coach |
Toni Demarco (Coach)
| Years rafting: | 10 Years |
| Favourite rafting discipline: | Slalom |
| Best thing about rafting: | Finishing a session and still loving the sport enough to want to go again and again |
| Worst thing about rafting: | Injuries |
| Favourite gym exercise | Core and Back |
| Favourite food & drink: | Brazilian BBQ & Red Wine |
| Current job: | Raft Guide |
Some of their links:
- Go Fund Me – www.gofundme.com/GBRtoR4Worlds
- Twitter – @gbrwwrt
- Facebook – www.facebook.com/gbrwwrt
- Youtube – Youtu.be/B8HIyDLu_ag
