Canoeing Ireland would like to welcome Olympian, Hannah Craig to our coaching team. Hannah will be taking up the role of Talent Development Coach for canoe slalom. Hannah brings a wealth of experience to the role and we look forward to working with her as we set our path towards Paris in 2024 and LA in 2028.
Hannah’s passion for the sport of canoe slalom is very evident. When asked about her new role with Canoeing Ireland, she had a very typical “Hannah style” response!
“Water is where I am meant to be…
Whitewater in sight, the fascination ignites.
Add a few challenges and the spraydeck is on.
Paddle in hand I come alive.
A bit of craic and I just keep coming back… Day after day for over 20 years.
Thrill, skill, challenge, nature and incredible people are at the core of my lifelong passion: paddling.
Canoe slalom is the discipline that took me on most journeys. From simple beginnings: chasing a few poles on a flat stretch of water; to the biggest sporting stage: performing at the Olympics on one of the most incredible whitewater courses in the world. With many chapters, twists and turns both on and off the water, I am very excited and privileged to add a new one…
In parallel with my preparation as an athlete towards Tokyo 2020 +1, I am taking on the canoe slalom performance development coach role within Canoeing Ireland.
As a coach, I aim to ignite that lifelong passion in younger generations that once passed on to me. I aspire to creating an environment where young athletes feel safe, valued, fulfilled with a large dose of fun and focus.
I can’t wait within my new role to build a national performance development programme and sustainable training setups all around Ireland with the support of our valuable volunteers, clubs, parents, existing and aspiring young paddlers.
A boat, a paddle, drive and a lot of enthusiasm will take you on many a worthwhile journey, believe me! May the dreams begin…”
We are absolutely delighted to have Hannah on board the team going forward into the next Olympic cycles, and are sure she will bring a massive amount of passion for the sport to the role. As Hannah has done in the past, she will surely pass this passion on to a new generation of slalom paddlers, and with the experience Hannah can pass on, a new generation of Olympians.
