In 2019 I was selected to paddle for the GB squad in the surfski world champs in France. After a hard winter of training and a summer season packed with races, I was paddling at my highest level and was excited to compete on the world stage for the first time. But then, out of nowhere, a week before the race I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. For the first few weeks, I felt really vulnerable. My sugar levels were out of control and each night I was scared to sleep in case I had a hypo and never woke up. Just going for a walk often sent me hypo and so there was no way I was heading out to sea on my own. World champs were off the cards.

So when I was given the opportunity to compete in this year’s world champs in Portugal, I jumped at the chance. Three years after my diagnosis it feels great to bring things full circle and looking back I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish since that diagnosis.

Race day is between the 7th and 9th of October, whichever day the wind is best, and the course is a 20km downwind run between Viana do Castelo and Ofir’s beach near Esposende, in the north of Portugal. We may not be in Nazare, but hopefully the wind will be blowing and we’ll have big waves to surf!

Paddling at a slow pace all day makes you good at one thing – that. So while I should have plenty of endurance to finish the race, my speed may be lacking! But however the race goes, I’m looking forward to meeting up with lots of the paddlers I met on my adventure and enjoying some epic downwind runs with them.

One month of training at home should let my body fully recover after the demands of my Italian adventure and INSULIN 360. Thank you to CUS Bari for looking after my boat while I get ready for worlds.