Minster Law solicitor selected for Team GB

We’re proud to announce that Minster Law solicitor, Rebecca Skirrow, has been chosen to represent Great Britain in Freestyle Kayaking. The 32-year-old is no stranger to international competition and has competed all over the world as part of her travels and the Athlete Support Program (ASP) and recently won the open/intermediate female category at the European Championships in Nottingham. However, her selection for the GB Freestyle Kayaking squad means that she will now work towards competing in the 2018 World Cups and securing a place at the European Championships in Bratislava.

Freestyle kayaking is a fun, fast and dynamic sport – paddlers use white water waves and holes to perform surf and gymnastic-style manoeuvres and tricks. During competitions, freestyle kayakers gain points for the different rotations they perform including vertical cartwheels, horizontal spins, barrel rolls and somersaults. Competition runs last for 45 seconds in which competitors have to perform as many different moves as possible. The paddler with the highest overall score wins.

Rebecca, who has been with Minster Law for more than eight years and recently qualified as a solicitor through its Training Contracts programme, has been an avid fan of kayaking since being introduced to the sport as a child. As part of the GB team, she’ll train with the team at their headquarters in Nottingham and undertake a gruelling conditioning programme including gym work and three sessions a week on the water at Nottingham and her local canal. She’ll also follow a strict nutritional plan.

Minster Law is supporting Rebecca by helping to fund new safety equipment and supplementing her competition entry fees.

“This is a huge achievement for Rebecca and we’re really proud to be able to support her”

Rebecca said: “My parents are kayakers so it’s something I’ve always been familiar with. I’ve always loved the water and even used to be a competitive swimmer. What I love most about kayaking is the multiple levels of challenges – whether it’s mental or physical, the challenges are always varied.

“With the help of my coaches, Dennis Newton and Lowri Davies, I’m really proud to say that I’ve been selected for Team GB – I actually didn’t think I’d be chosen the first time I tried!  I missed out on a place in the International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Championships in Argentina but I’m now looking forward ICF World Cups scheduled to take place in Europe next summer and going for selection for the ICF European Championships in Bratislava. I’m really proud of my achievement and really excited about competing.”

Minster Law Managing Director, Michael Warren, added: “This is a huge achievement for Rebecca and we’re really proud to be able to support her in her activities outside of work. We wish her all the best in her forthcoming competitions and will be actively following her progress as part of Team GB.”