Jess Fox

Details

Category: Kayak/Canoe

How did you become involved in your Kayaking/Canoe?

Both my parents competed in the sport at the elite level and I've grown up around it, it was only natural I took up the sport too!

Who is your sporting hero?

Anna Meares - she has overcome so many obstacles in her career and has never given up.

Age you started in your sport?

I first sat in a kayak at 6 months of age! But it wasn't till I was 11 that I actually started to paddle.

Height, weight, age?

167cm, 60kg, 17 years old

Accreditations/degrees/qualifications?

Finished HSC in 2011 with ATAR 99.1. Now studying Media and Communications at Sydney University

What motivates you to continue in your sport?

I have so much more to learn and experience in the sport and I know I have the potential to go further… I want to see how far that is!

What motivated you to start your sport?

Making friends and having fun on the whitewater rapids.

Who do you race for club/state?

Penrith Valley Canoeing, NSW

Great experiences that have happened in your life?

Winning the junior world championships, the whole Youth Olympic Games experience and travelling all over the world with my sport.

Family Background(where did you grow up) and Current Family

I was born in Marseille in the south of France and moved to Australia when I was 4. My mum is French and my dad is English so I am bilingual. Both my parents competed in Canoe Slalom. My mum won bronze at the atlanta 1996 Olympics and was twice World Champion and my dad was 5 times World Champion. Both are still involved in the sport. I also have a younger sister, Noemie who is starting to paddle as well.

What is your happiest memory?

Paddling on the most beautiful river in Spain with some of my best friends. The river trip was about 6 hours long and we were by ourselves in an amazing canyon, ate delicious food, had so much fun. Doing what you love, with your favourite people, in the wild! We were all just really happy!

Who did you idolize growing up?

Susie O'Neil, Cathy Freeman

How has being involved/playing your sport changed your life?

Being involved in sport has given me so many amazing opportunities such as travelling the world, making new friends, learning new languages. I feel like I've grown as a person from these experiences. Training this hard and setting goals has given me a positive attitude towards challenges I face in other aspects of life and I always 'give 100%' and 'never give up'

Who has been your biggest supporter?

My family and friends

Who has been your best coach?

I've only ever really been coached by my parents!…. Don't make me choose!
My mum is my current coach.

Sporting Background?

I played a lot of sports growing up including netball, soccer, gymnastics, little Athletics, and swimming.

Favourite Foods/Diet you follow?

I love chocolate and mangoes. I don't have a strict diet but I try and eat well-balanced and healthy… and limit my chocolate intake - which is extremely hard!

Your typical training split and favourite thing to train?

I normally train 5 - 6 times on the whitewater and 2 times on flat water. I have 2-3 gym sessions and also cross training in sprint kayaking once a week and running a few times a week. They are a mixture of technique, power and speed and endurance sessions. My favourite sessions would have to be the whitewater technique sessions - the most challenging!

Worst injury you have suffered?

An injury to T4/T5 disc in my back meant my training was modified for around 10 months in 2011.
I also broke my arm in 2005 doing gymnastics - let's just say it was a good break!

What is the ultimate prize in your sport and list of results?

The ultimate is the Olympic Gold!
My best results :
- Double Junior World Champion 2010 in K1 & C1
- Youth Olympic Games Champion 2010
- Bronze medal at the Senior World Championships in C1 2010
- 5th place at the Senior World Championships in K1 2010

- Two time World Cup winner in C1, 2011
- Qualified the Olympic quota for Australia at the World Championships in 2011 - 19th place in K1 and 8th place in C1

- Open National Champion in C1 and K1 2012
- Gold in C1 and 2nd place K1 Australian Open 2012
- Oceania Champion Open and U18 in K1 and C1 2012
- SELECTED TO THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES

What do you find to be the toughest aspect of your sport?

Paddling on whitewater rapids means that a lot can happen during a race run and you have to be prepared to deal with anything that can come your way. This mental side is pretty tough and you have to make sure you continually refocus and concentrate on what's infront and not what just happened.

How do you deal with temptation?

Remember what it is i'm training so hard for!

What is your favourite music/band/song?

It changes all the time! I enjoy mainstream music, listen to triple j, like the old stuff too - a bit of everything!

Do you believe "never giving up" is the difference between making it and not making it in any sport?

It's definitely one of the biggest factors that leads to success in sport. Never giving up and having a strong driving and motivating force helps you overcome obstacles to reach your goals. I think it also makes you tougher mentally - and there's nothing more powerful than the mind! It's something that defines a champion.

What inspired you to succeed?

The Olympic Games and watching athletes win!

What did you want to be as a kid growing up?

An Olympian!

Your future goals in your sports, and goals when you finish your sport?

To be the best that I can be in the sport… hopefully that is a world championship title and Olympic Gold! :-P

Checkout Jess's Fan Page here

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