World class athletes who have built their career on the water have come together in a special film as part of World Ocean Day (8th June).

The film – created by leading ocean, action & adventure film maker, Alice Callow – champions sportspeople who are “powered by purpose” – and has been released to coincide with World Oceans Day, to highlight the importance of protecting and preserving the oceans for future generations.

Among those appearing in the film are windsurfer Sarah Jackson, who hit the headlines earlier this year after revealing she had moved to Tenerife because of the UK’s over polluted waters, double Olympic Gold Medal sailor Hannah Mills, OBE and four times Paralympic sailor, Hannan Stodel.

“We are so, so fortunate to have this amazing playground, it’s so, so important to protect that,” said Hannah.

The film also points out the importance of removing plastic from the ocean and the impact on the fishing industry that pollution is having.

Mark Middlemas, CEO of AMG, hopes that the film will inspire people to think about the importance of the oceans in everyone’s lives.

“The majority of the athletes that appear in the film have achieved the success they have because of the oceans & rivers so they are extremely passionate about highlighting the need to protect and respect them,” he said.

“We thought that there was no better time to raise awareness than on World Oceans Day and we are very proud of the fact that all of these amazing sportsmen and women took the time to promote a cause that is so important to them.”

To view the video visit www.athletemedia.co.uk

Windsor-based Mallory Franklin is a British slalom canoeist who has a stack of international wins to her name, including taking silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.

But the elite athlete has revealed her secret passion when not on the water – backing cakes and cookies which she shares with her family, friends and fellow sportspeople.

“I’ve always liked to bake but over the last five years it’s become something that I’ve just started to do more of and which I really enjoy,” said Mallory.

“I find it a really good way to get into a different headspace when I’ve been training or competing and they seem to go down very well – although I try not to eat to many of them myself!”

When not creating cupcakes, brownies and blondies – which are all particular favourites – Mallory is concentrating on her next round of competitions, which includes heading to the European Games in Krakow next month (June).

Always sporty, Mallory was just five years old when she first started canoeing, joining a local club and discovered her passion for the sport.

Since 2009 she has competed internationally, in both kayak and Canadian canoe classes, as well as the Extreme Canoe discipline.

She has taken the gold seven times in the European Championships and five times in the World Championships, along with numerous other silver and bronze medals over the years.

In 2022 she was named world champion in the Extreme K1, one of canoeing’s biggest challenges which combines all the white water disciplines.

Mallory’s determination and dedication will see her compete across the summer months in tournaments in Poland, Spain and Czechoslovakia.

“Canoeing is really big in Europe and particularly in the Eastern European countries where people have taken part for years,” she said.

“That’s why there’s a lot of competitions in these countries. In Slovakia it’s the national sport so there are a lot of people very dedicated to it.

“It’s a fantastic sport to be part of and one which I’ve loved to be involved with since I was tiny.”

Finding a location with World Class windsurfing conditions for both slalom and wave sailing, only 10 minutes from a major international airport with daily flights across Europe and warm weather and constant wind all year around is a rarity. In fact it’s what makes Tenerife my year-round go to destination for windsurfing in Europe. It’s warm, windy, reliable, easy and fun!

Please note: All images in this feature are credited to brilliant content creator @rafasoulart.

The more I come here, the more it is starting to feel like home to me. But whether you’re here for a few days or a few months, Tenerife really is an unbeatable location for windsurfers, wingers and kiters especially those looking for somewhere easy to get away to with consistent conditions, plus everything you need for a perfect holiday all in once place!

WINDSURFING:

Boasting 300 days of wind per year, there’s few places more consistent than Tenerife, yet the variety within the bay, means there’s really something for everyone and every level in El Medano. For those searching for bump and jump heaven, the South Bay is for you – a choppy beach break with some fun kickers and a slow and safe introduction to sailing on the sea. On the lighter days it’s a freeride paradise, and as the wind kicks in, there’s no more perfect way to learn to play in the waves. Stepping it up and for those wanting to ride waves for the first time, the Harbour Wall – El Muelle – is for you. It’s a reef break, but about as safe as they come as the strong current pulls you out of the break and into the bay in a matter of moments. Additionally, the nature of the break means that you dictate the pace and difficulty of your session – the more radical you want to go, the deeper into the section you position yourself, yet its equally easy to stay on the edge of the break and take a slow introduction to the spot.

Finally, for the pros out there, Cabezo is the place to go. A tricky and rocky spot, that once tamed can be endless fun. You definitely need to know your way around the rocks so be sure to speak to someone on the beach before you head out and always be aware of Godzilla, but in reality its a great spot for anyone looking to progress their wave riding and take on a new challenge.

To get you on the water with the best possible equipment, there are two windsurf schools located in South Bay – Duotone Pro Center Tenerife (DPC) and Tenerife Windsurf Solution (TWS). DPC, is a Duotone/Fanatic center stocked with all the latest gear from windsurfing, winging and kiting – whatever you need to get you on the water whatever your sport of choice. TWS is a dedicated windsurf center with gear from all the top brands – the perfect opportunity to test lots of different gear and work out your favourite! What is guaranteed at both centers is lovely staff, a great vibe and everyone is always willing to help you get the most out of your session!

WINGING:

When it comes to winging, DPC really have the ultimate setup – with a fully stocked trailer and a van ready to go, they organise sessions to the local harbour which is a wing beginners paradise to get you on the water in the safest and easiest way. Once you’re ready to take on the bay, you can also launch straight from the center and enjoy perfect conditions with rolling swell for riding and jumping. Whatever your wing level, Duotone Pro Center Tenerife will be able to ensure you have a great time on the water with the best instructors and all the latest toys from Duotone and Fanatic.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

When there’s no wind in El Medano, you are luckily situated on probably the most exciting island in the Canaries and there is really something for everyone. Rent yourself a car (or a bike for the cyclists amongst us) and head out and explore. If you’re into the more tourist based attractions then Las Americas is probably the direction you will head with a huge shopping mall – Siam Mall and a big waterpark – Siam Park. My favourite no-wind activity however is to head up the Teide – the volcano which stands in the middle of the island. Towering at 3,715m, even driving up to the outer crater is an amazing adventure through all the different climates. Whether you want to drive up, or take on the 3000m challenge and cycle up, on thing is for sure, it is a completely breath-taking activity. I will never forget the first time I went up there and feeling like I was on Mars. It is my absolute must-do activity on the island and one that I make sure all my friends do when they come to visit!

The thing that always blows me away is how diverse Tenerife is! Whilst most people come for a beach holiday, the huge array of natural beauty is incredible. Whether you want to explore on foot or by bike, the two rural parks are packed with trails and have some of the most breath-taking views I’ve ever experienced, and as over half of the island is protected, this natural beauty is here to stay!

If you’re a true water-baby like me, then when the wind isn’t blowing you will be pleased to know there is almost always a swell running so you can get in the sea and experience the huge variety of surfing conditions across the island. Whether you want to stay local and head to Las Americas or adventure to the north of the island and into the luscious green landscapes around Bajamar, there is always a wave to catch and fun to be had on the water.

Finally if you want a full day off from being active and a truly magical experience, head to the southwest coast of the island, jump on a “blue label” boat and see the immense colony of whales and dolphins up close. **The blue label system is important as it is ensuring that the operators are carrying out their activities sustainably and responsibly!

FOOD:

When it comes to food, there is so much on offer in El Medano that you can really cater to all tastes. Whether, like me, you are gluten free, or have other dietary requirements, the restaurants in town are incredibly accommodating and there is something for everyone. My absolute favourites are:

• Favourite Cafe: Ubuntu – great food, great wifi, great coffee, great vibe!
• Favourite Restaurant: Barrio Cabezo – the tuna tataki with Canarian potatoes is just heaven
• Tapas: Cuaderno de Bitácora – lots of options and sharing plates
• Burgers: Lille or Burger Cafe (both have Gluten Free options)
• Going out with a large group: Stanza Fusion Pizza Sushi – sounds like a weird mix but the sushi is good and I’m told the pizza is too – works for everyone, especially hungry slalom sailors who need a pizza with their sushi!
• Other favourites include: Malavida (Mexican with AMAZING Strawberry Mojitos), El Platano Azul (Moroccan) and Santa Chihuahua (Sushi & more with amazing cocktails)

ACCOMODATION:

When it comes to places to stay, Medano4you.com and ApartmentsMedano.comoffer plenty of houses and apartments right on the beach. One for the wave sailors – if you’re planning to bring your own gear and sailing in Cabezo, make sure you speak to these guys for the ultimate Cabezo experience with a private garage under your house where you can leave your gear rigged straight in front of Cabezo! If you’re basing yourself in the South Bay, the Hotel Playa Sur has recently been renovated and I’ve heard really good reviews recently so worth checking that out too.

In terms of other useful tips:

• Car Hire – you don’t need to hire a car, however if you want to get out and explore the rest of the island then it is highly recommended. Everything you need like pharmacies, supermarkets and even doctors are available in El Medano though and everything is walking distance.
• Taxis – on the topic of transport, getting a transfer from the airport is easy by taxi, even if you have a board bag. If you come with multiple bags, it might be more difficult, but one or two board bags can normally fit within the larger taxis at the airport and transfers cost around €15 each way for the 10 minute journey.
• Supermarkets – there are lots of small supermarkets in town where you can get everything you need
• Equipment storage – available at TWS but worth booking in advance as it gets booked out pretty quickly. Lots of apartments have storage areas within them though so be sure to ask when you are booking.

For more information about the island, check out https://www.webtenerife.co.uk

Please note: All images in this feature are credited to brilliant content creator @rafasoulart.

ASCIS is an acronym from the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano or ‘a Sound Mind in a Sound Body’.   Since 1949, the ASICS purpose has been to help people achieve a Sound Mind in a Sound Body through sport.   Their founder, Kihachiro Onitsuka, saw that sport had the power to lift spirits, project positivity and propel people and whole communities forward.

Kent-born, Loughborough-based Coldwell started her year off with a bang coming 2nd, her highest WTCS position ever, in the first WTCS race of the year in Abu Dhabi.  Her next WTCS race is in May in Yokohama, Japan before a packed summer schedule.

Coldwell said of her partnership with ASCIS, “I’m so excited to have joined the ASICS Running family.  It’s a dream come true to have partnered with such an incredible brand.  Thank you for the belief, the opportunity & the support.  Here’s to the future!”

The Athlete Media Group, the purpose-powered sports agency, have represented Coldwell since 2021 supporting the athlete her brand partnerships with leading brands such as Specialized Bikes, ORCA Wetsuits, & Avanti Communications amongst others.

STACK-CUP™ manufactures patented, stackable cups worldwide primarily for Sport Stadiums, Clubs, Music & Entertainment venues. They provide reusable cup services including washing and logistics to eliminate single-use plastic cups waste and reduce CO2e.

Packer, winner of 91 England caps for the Red Roses, will become the first official brand ambassador of STACK-CUP™.  She will represent the brand nationally across her social media, create bespoke content and engage with Stack-Cup employees, partners & customers.

2014 RWC winner Packer said of the partnership, “I am excited to be working with STACK-CUP™.  Their “Carry More, Waste Less” message clearly resonates with me & what I try to do on the rugby field.  As a rugby player & music fan, the fun & innovation they bring to their partner events is fantastic.  I am also hugely keen to support & share their strong sustainability credentials as we are all responsible for caring for the planet.“

James Roles, MD of STACK-CUP™ commented, “We are delighted to be partnering with Marlie. She is an inspirational character both on and off the rugby pitch. The STACK-CUP™ team and Marlie are aligned in our views that we should give people the best experience at sports and music events in the most sustainable way. As her career continues to flourish with England, we are proud to have her as our first ambassador.”

Packer is represented by The Athlete Media Group, the purpose-powered sports marketing agency.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the magnificent Wilson tree, abundant with the fruit of their labour. The flowers of modest stars are given room to bloom, humble in their nature and with the roots firmly planted in the family, with the tender love only a mother can give the secret to their success is strong, calm supportive arms wrapped around them all with lashings of competitive spirit.

I have been lucky enough to speak to Penny and ask her what it is like to be the mum of an Olympic windsurfer, in this interview we delve into the journey of her daughter, the emotions, the immense pride, the power of a mothers love and how to nurture an Olympian!

I started off by asking Penny, Emma is following in your footsteps, you were a trailblazer in the sport of windsurfing, appearing at the 1992 Olympics when women’s windsurfing made its debut, and again four years later in Atlanta, what did it mean to watch Emma’s bronze medal win?

Penny said: “I think when we knew that she had a medal secured before the medal race we were all so relieved. The mission had been to get a medal! I know its hard to believe, but I didn’t ever look at the results or want to know. I only knew how she was doing by talking to her brother Dan in Australia who was able to watch all the races live on TV!

“I would wake up in the morning turn on my phone and chat to Dan and Tash to find out how it was all going! Dan was so proud when his little sister was winning the Olympics! I didn’t get to speak to Emma until the evening after she had won her medal. When I saw her receive the medal with such an emotional celebration I knew how happy she was!”

“Finding a way to focus this bundle of energy that was going to try and win a medal at something at all cost!”

What did it take to get Emma winning the RS:X events at the Youth Sailing World Championships in 2016 and 2017 and medals at the 2018 and 2019 RS:X European Championships and the 2022 iQFoil European Championships?

Penny said: “Emma has always been extremely self-motivated, so all I can ever do is try and help her carry out her plans! She would say what she wanted to achieve and I would try sit down with her and work out how in a way that we could afford!

“Obviously the financial cost is massive and probably what we struggle with most now that the foiling equipment is so expensive. Some countries get all their equipment for free so obviously they have a big advantage.

“Luckily when the kids were little I trained to be a massage therapist specialising in injury rehabilitation, so this helps Emma to train hard and keep pushing. The transition from youth to senior had to be done earlier than conventional as Emma had her heart set on the Tokyo Olympics, so this had its challenges and again the transition from RSX to foil had to be expediated as the girls not doing the Tokyo Olympics were all able to swap to the foil 18 months before Emma.

“I think it helped that Emma and I had done a lot of fun foiling together from when we very first saw it and had both enjoyed wing foiling together, so foiling was something we were both pretty happy with. We really were not expecting Emma to do so well at Lake Garda in 2022 and to see her dominate every race until the medal race was a nice shock!”

“Emma chose the one sport she enjoyed most – windsurfing.”

You are a true, windsurfing racing legend and Emma is such an inspiration to so many young people, you must be so proud of Emma?

Penny said: “I think we are often guilty of forgetting Emma got a bronze medal in Tokyo! Life always has so many challenges we are constantly moving on to the next. But yes I am very proud of her, but not only because of the results but of the way she deals with every challenge thrown at her and is able to find the positives from most situations.”

“I just pick up the pieces and glue her back together again on land!”

Lets take it back to the beginning for Emma, when did you notice Emma had such potential? What support did you have to give Emma at the very beginning?

Penny said: “I don’t think it was really a case of noticing she had potential. More a case of finding a way to focus this bundle of energy that was going to try and win a medal at something at all cost! She played hockey, tennis, football and swam at full power. The windsurfing was a family activity at weekends.

“As each sport became more serious it was impossible to do them all and school work and exhaustion was taking over! Emma chose the one sport she enjoyed most – windsurfing – and focussed on that! Whilst doing GCSEs I would pick Emma up from school in Bournemouth, drive to Weymouth for training then back to Bournemouth ready for school the next day!”

Other parents reading this that maybe about to start the journey with their children into the windsurfing Olympic pathway what advice would you give them?

Penny said: “Only do it if you love it! If that love ever goes then stop.”

Who inspires you?

Penny said: “Good question. I was originally inspired by Ben Ainslie’s parents, the family support they were able to give him when he was competing as a young Olympian. It’s always been important to me to try and keep a family environment for as long as possible.”

What are some of your best memories from your windsurfing journey?

Penny said: “Best memories from my windsurfing journey have to honestly be introducing my kids to the sport when they were tiny. The smiles on their faces. I remember the first time Dan got into the harness and foot straps and sailed alongside me. That smile was priceless!”

“I am very proud of her, but not only because of the results, but of the way she deals with every challenge thrown at her.”

Paris 2024 what are your hopes for Emma?

Penny said: “My hopes for Emma are totally that she enjoys herself! I don’t watch her race or on the water! In December Dan took me out on the rib to watch her on the IQ – that was the first time I had seen her in action! I just pick up the pieces and glue her back together again on land!”

“Best memories from my windsurfing journey have to honestly be introducing my kids to the sport.”

Do you find that you can help Emma in ways that others can’t because you know exactly what she is going through?

Penny said: “Yes I think that is the strength of our relationship. We are able to chat rubbish to each other for hours. But also if she is upset about anything she will tell me and I can decipher it and try and find a solution whether it is to do with the racing, equipment, her body or her dirty washing!”

What are your emotions as you watch Emma on the world stage?

Penny said: “I literally can not watch. It is impossible for me. I can not think of anything worse. I don’t know why! My role is to help Emma do everything she can in the training so that there is no need for me to watch the racing!”

“Only do it if you love it! If that love ever goes then stop.”

Reposted with the kind permission of Emma Nicholson & The Olympic Test Centre (OTC)

https://www.otc-blog.com/post/how-to-nurture-an-olympian

The partnership will see December 19 embed their core values through an annual engagement program which each of the 5 athletes will support through events, social media, speaking appearances, PR & content creation.

The 5 British athletes, all with their eyes on Olympic & Paralympic 2024 qualification, include world champion marathon canoeist Bethany Gill; GB Boxing’s Ellis Trowbridge; Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist Lachlan Moorehead; blind England footballer Azeem Amir; & long distance British swimming champion Amber Keegan.

Dan Pimm, co-founder of December 19 commented, “We have always taken great pride in supporting grass-roots sport with local football & cricket clubs,  We are delighted to take this to a new level with this exciting partnership with AMG.  The 5 athletes we will be supporting offer the perfect representation for our company values & we look forward to helping with their future success which in-turn, aligns with our growth ambitions.”

CEO & Founder of AMG Mark Middlemas said of the partnership, “Athletes & businesses make powerful partners especially when it comes to aligned values.  The partnership will add much needed profile & financial support for these fantastic athletes to progress their sporting journeys & allow December 19 to embed their core values in an innovative way with their staff.”

The partnership was agreed with the athletes’ agency, The Athlete Media Group, and runs for a 12 month period from March 14th.

📸 credit: GB Swimstars