Anne DICKINS (GBR)

GBUnited Kingdom
Age:
57 years
Languages:
English
Federation:
BRITISH CANOEING

Biography

Further Personal Information

BIOGRAPHY
RankEventYearLocationResult
World Championships
1KL32016Duisburg, GER51.246
1K1 200m LTA2014Moscow, RUS49.700
2KL32015Milan, ITA50.521
2K1 200m LTA2013Duisburg, GER54.889
PREV. NAMES
Anne Usher
PLACE OF RESIDENCE
Oxted
OCCUPATION
Physiotherapist & motivational speaker
HIGHER EDUCATION
London
WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START CANOEING/ KAYAKING?
2012
WHEN/WHERE DID YOU START CANOEING/ KAYAKING?
She took up the sport in 2012
REASON FOR TAKING UP THE SPORT
I met a GB paracanoe coach at the 2012 Olympics in London where we were both volunteering, and on finding out about my weak leg he suggested I try out for Paracanoe. I had never been in a boat before but thought it would be fun to learn a new sport as I had been left unable to ride my bike (which was my previous sport) since my injury in 2011. 
REASON FOR TAKING UP THE SPORT
She had a chance meeting with a Great Britain Para canoe sprint coach while she was volunteering at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. "It led to me being invited to try for GB canoe squad selection. I accepted the offer of learning to kayak well enough to achieve GB squad selection in just two months."
HOBBIES
Favourite Movie - Love Actually
Interesting Fact - I get very sea sick, even while snorkelling.
Perfect Day - Being with my family chilling out.
HOBBIES
photography, adventure travel
CLUB
Wey
NAME OF COACH
John Griffiths (national) Phil Gunney (club)
NATIONALITY OF YOUR COACH
British
SINCE WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN COACHED BY HIM/ HER?
2013
TRAINING REGIME
I train full time with a combination of water and gym sessions. 
As a cyclist we used to cycle via a coffee shop for mid ride refuelling. We have never stopped for cake or coffee mid session while kayaking but I think this would be a fun thing to add into our weekly sessions ;)
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT YEAR
2013
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT COUNTRY
Portugal
SENIOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT COMPETITION
European Championships
MEMORABLE SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT
Becoming world champion in Russia in 2014. This was a big achievement because I had capsized the day before when the start mechanism had malfunctioned tipping my boat up and throwing me in! Going into my final I was apprehensive that it might happen again after going for a swim the day before! 
TRAINING PARTNER(S)
Jeanette Chippington
HERO/IDOL
Helen Glover GB rower who won gold after only 4 years in the sport. 
SPORTING PHILOSOPHY/ MOTTO
enjoy the adventure
FAVOURITE PADDLING COURSE
Eton downey the 2012 olympic course
FAVOURITE FOOD
aubergines
AMBITIONS
To keep on learning and to be the best paddler I can be. 
AWARDS AND HONORS
First female paracanoeist to break the 50 sec time for 200m in Moscow 2014
200m in Moscow 2014
Current world record holder for 200m
First gold medal won as a kl3 athlete in Rachiche 2015
OTHER INFORMATION
Type of Impairment
Impaired muscle power (britishcanoeing.org.uk, 01 Jan 2016)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (britishcanoeing.org.uk, 01 Jan 2016)

Impairment Details
She was formerly an endurance mountain biker until a back injury in 2011 left her with a permanently weak right leg and unable to ride her bike. (annedickins24.blogspot.co.uk, 13 Jun 2016; britishcanoeing.org.uk, 01 Jan 2016)

Awards
She was named a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE] in the 2017 New Year's Honours list. (bbc.co.uk, 10 Apr 2017)

General
RETIREMENT
In April 2017 she announced her retirement from the sport. (bbc.co.uk, 10 Apr 2017)

OTHER INFORMATION
I never wanted to paddle a boat before because I get very sea sick when on the water. 
PREFERRED DISTANCE
200
CLASSIFICATION
KL2
OTHER SPORTS
endurance mountain biking. 4th in age at 2010 world 24 hour mountain bike championships.