Westhill’s Stuart Gerrie is hopeful he can follow in the footsteps of the north-east town’s Olympic gold-medallist Tim Baillie.
Gerrie, 22, became the Scottish canoe slalom champion at Grandtully at the weekend, winning both the senior and under-23 events in the K1 men’s category.
The Aberdeen Kayak Club member finished second in the event in 2013 and 2012 and was delighted to go one better this time around.
Gerrie says the time he has spent with Baillie, who won gold in the C2 event at London 2012, has been a major assistance as he attempts to build a successful future in the sport.
He said: “I am quite close with Tim and I have worked with him. Whenever he is in the north-east he would do sessions with me or give me tips here and there. He is really good with the mental side of the sport. In canoeing we don’t get any practice sessions on the courses, so there is a lot of mental preparation.
“Tim gives me a good insight into what is required as he has been through it all before on his way to winning a gold medal.
“It is great to have someone like that to learn from.
“Watching him win his gold medal was a big thing as the north-east is not traditionally viewed as a major canoeing area.
“I was really pleased to become the Scottish champion. I have really stepped up my training this year and the results are starting to show.”
The long-term aim for Gerrie is to force his way into the Great Britain squad next year. He will get an insight into what is required when he competes in next month’s British Open at the Lee Valley Olympic course in Hertfordshire.
He added: “This year has been all about preparing towards next year’s GB team selection events.
“I am trying to get as strong as I possibly can and I have been training at least 20 hours per week. I am training in Nottingham before heading to London for the British Open.
“That is my next goal. I want to do well there as the world championships are being held there next year as well as the GB team selection events.”