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Nick Heald wins Gold Medal
Last week Nick travelled to Poznan in Poland as part of the GB Team to compete in the 2012 Paracanoe World Championships, with his Final taking place on 17th May. He was one of 9 competitors that qualified for the race, including last year's World Champion from Hungary and athletes from as far afield as Australia and Brazil. The weather conditions were challenging as the high winds meant the lake was very choppy - three boats capsized during the race before Nicks with one actually ended up sinking!
"I am delighted to report that I came first, winning a Gold Medal and becoming the current World Champion! I also recorded the fastest ever time in the World for this event. I have now also been selected for the Paralympic Inspiration Elite Athlete Programme and am attending camps over the summer, which include visits to the Olympic Village and attendance at Paralympic Games events. This is in preparation for when Paracanoeing makes its first appearance as an Olympic sport in Rio in 2016 - sadly not in time for this year!
Despite my big win last week, there is no time to rest on my laurels as my next big competition is the European Championships in Croatia in a month so I am already back training hard for this.
I am very grateful to all the staff at Flint House who have treated me since 2009 when the tumour struck. I can honestly say that on each visit the staff have been absolutely fantastic.
The positivity of the Centre made a big difference to my motivation and desire to improve and get back to full fitness. The treatment I have received has been first rate and I am very glad that I ticked the box for Goring donation when I joined the police!!!"
Ex Patient Qualifies for GB Paracanoe team.
Nick Heald, recently a patient at Flint House wrote to us about the following after treatment at the Centre in early 2012, as he has achieved his ambition to qualify for the GB Paracanoe team competing in the forthcoming World Championships and the part Flint House has played in getting him there.
"Amazingly enough, I didn't fall in and I have qualified to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Poznan, Poland in May 2012. I will be part of the GB Paracanoe Team and will be racing a Va'a over 200metres.