Olympic star visits Dumbarton Academy kayaking graduates

Nov 21 2008 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

OLYMPIC silver medallist David Florence got his oar in with a group of Dumbarton school pupils recently.

Canoeist and kayaker David, 26, met with the West Dunbartonshire Council’s Outdoor Education SQA kayaking graduates from Dumbarton Academy to give them a few pointers.

As part of the More Choices More Chances programme, all secondary schools participate in a year-long programme one day a week to achieve Scottish Qualification Awards in outdoor activities.

To help inspire the young people, senior outdoor education officer, John Hamilton, has invited prominent athletes from different disciplines to meet with them.

John said: “The young people receive a boost when they meet their sporting heroes in the flesh and realise that they can do it too. If they don’t want to pursue a sport competitively then it may well inspire a career teaching sports or a least a hobby or interest.”

David, who canoed with the youngsters at Loch Lomond Shores, praised the outdoor education facilities at Balloch Castle. He said: “West Dunbartonshire Council outdoor education service has recently been hailed as the best example seen, as part of the More Chances, More Choices Programme, in the Scottish Parliament.

“I can now see for myself the success of the programme in not only teaching sport and gaining a qualification but the personal development and confidence building is incredible.”