Will Forsythe - After a disappointing Olympic Selection in 2012 training was again starting to head in the right direction. I was feeling powerful in the boat and chipping away at new technique improvements I felt were necessary to crack the top 10. After a normal November’s gym session I found it literally impossible to do a basic shoulder exercise as I cooled down. I put it down to fatigue and thought nothing of it.

After baffling physio’s and doctors alike a MRI scan showed a small tear to my shoulder cartilage, which had begun to leak fluid into my back causing nerve blockages and muscle wastage. My left shoulder was wasting away as a large pocket of shoulder fluid blocked the nervous signals.

I went under the knife in early January of 2013 and collectively spent 6 months off the whitewater as I waited for the cartilage to heal and the shoulder to start functioning again.  During which time I missed out the national team selections…

I’ve been given the chance to win a place on the Worlds team by beating 3-time Olympian Warwick Draper and current 3rd boat Australian athlete Joey Croft. We’ll go head-to-head in Prague during the Czech Nationals, with the winner staying in Europe till the Worlds while the others pack their bags and head for home.

I’m now launching into my 3rd week of whitewater training and the signs of a good season are emerging. Paddling the new Galasport Sonic Boom has shown be how easy kayaking can be when you have a responsive boat. Already I’ve begun mixing times with the National Team athletes and winning the odd competitive half-lengths session.

I’ve linked up with Sportaroo in an effort to raise some sponsorship funding to get me back to Prague and onto the start line for the race-off. This campaign seeks to promote my ambitions and highlight the need for athlete sponsorship in our sport.

If you would like to join my team as we push for Prague please feel free to purchase any merchandise or sponsorship packages and come along for the ride!

You can find my campaign at: www.sportaroo.com/willforsythe

From rehab to racing - lets see what 2013 brings next!