2017
In February 2017, I went to Portugal for a week with fellow club members from the Groningen Canoe Club (GKV) to train there in nice warm weather.
In May 2017 I was allowed to go to the World Cup Canoe Marathon in Hazewinkel, Belgium. It was the first time for me to represent the Netherlands.
I was allowed to borrow a marathon canoe because my own canoe was too heavy. And it was all very official, with a pass, a NED sticker on my canoe and special NED competition clothing.
I sailed two races: 3.5 kilometers with 2 portages and 19 kilometers with 5 portages, fortunately both races were not on the same day, because it happened to be very warm that weekend (above 35 degrees Celsius), so from the national coach you had to keep drinking, drinking and drinking.
My father was with me and he provided breakfast, lunch and dinner for 3 days, so the athletes didn't have to worry about that.
In September 2017 I was also allowed to go to Olympic Hopes in Racice, Czech Republic for canoeists under 18 years old.
I competed there in the 200 and 1000 meters in the K1 and 500 meters in the K4. We did not reach the semi-finals or full finals in K1, but we did reach the semi-finals in K4. I thought it was fantastic to be able to participate in these international youth canoeing competitions.