Freddie Heard is an exceptional young athlete and we are extremely proud to be able to support him, with kit for training and racing and also with a ski on those rare occasions when he can get on the waves for some time out from his racing schedule.
Paddling with Exeter Canoe Club he enjoys both Sprint and Marathon kayaking with a keen interest in Ocean Surfski paddling.
Freddie took to the water at a very early age, he competed in his first Hasler race at the tender age of 5, (winning the U10 Lightning race) and has continued with Marathon paddling, reaching division 2 by the age of 13. Freddie then began to attend the National Sprint Regattas and now races in Boys A.
2024 was a very successful year for Freddie with podium finishes in every National competition that he took part in:
- National Short Course – 3rd place
- Boys U16 K1 1000m – 2nd place
- Boys U16 K1 200m – 3rd place
- Boys U16 K1 500m – 2nd place
- Boys U16 K2 500m – 1st place
- Boys U16 K4 500m – 1st place
- National Marathon Championship U16 K1 – 2nd place
- National Marathon Championship U16 K2 – 1st place
A member of the GB Junior Training Squad, Freddie thoroughly deserved selection to the Junior European Sprint Championships in Bratislava where he competed in the K4 500m. This was followed by Olympic Hopes in Szeged where he raced K1 500m, K2 1000m & Mixed K4 500m.
Freddie is using his Vaikobi gear to keep him on the water through the winter training programme, and is looking forward to next season's racing. The challenge of balancing school studies and training will be ongoing but the experiences and friendships kayaking have brought him are irreplaceable. The aim is simply to enjoy paddling, whilst doing the best he can.
