2018 Ottilie Robinson Shaw - Great Britain

Ottilie Robinson Shaw (Great Britain) – Nominee for 2018 Junior of the Year

Website: www.thepaddlermag.com/2017/09/09/an-interview-with-ottilie-robinson-shaw-2
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ottilierobinsonshaw

Born: 2002, Represents: Great Britain, Sport: Freestyle

Major Results:

• K1 Junior World Champion Freestyle December 2017 (Argentina)
• K1 Junior European Champion Freestyle 2018 (Slovakia)
• Winner Junior World Cup 1 & Junior World Cup 2 2018 (Spain)

As Europe’s top junior female Ottilie (Ottie) Robinson-Shaw is leading the charge to define the future of female freestyle paddling.

Hailing from the flatlands of Suffolk and the Essex coast - hardly a whitewater paddling centre - Ottie only started paddling in 2013, at the age of 11, with dad Will, returning to the sport after a 30-year absence. She started her training in a swimming pool and later on the river Stour, and quickly developed an interest in the cool moves of freestyle paddling. A super-quick learner, Ottie’s progress was extremely rapid thanks to her natural ability combined with her sturdy work ethic.

A short five years into the sport, Ottie already holds a number of world titles. She became the K1 Junior World Champion Freestlye Champion in Argentina in December 2017, then went on to secure the 2018 K1 Junior title in Bratislava, as well as both World Cups in Sort (Spain) this season.

QUOTE/TESTIMONIAL

“Ottie is amazing. She paddles well beyond her years and is redefining what is possible in junior women’s freestyle. She has worked extremely hard for what she has achieved and has the right passion, skill and drive to really push the future of the sport. Everyone should watch and be inspired by this young girl.” — British paddler and multiple world-title-holder Claire O’ Hara