Grant Underwood has been called up to represent Great Britain in the Under 23s World Wild Water Racing Championships in America later this year.

This s a fantastic achievement for the 21-year-old Shark paddler, who lost a whole year’s racing due to an injury sustained just days before the 2014 selection race, which ended up with him spending time in hospital.

This is the culmination of a lot of hard work, Grant was still on crutches till the end of last year and although not fully recovered is now training harder than ever and the work has earned him a place at the event in North Carolina in early August.

He is coached by Beata Fabińska; whom has transformed The Sharks club since her arrival in February and lifted results to a new high. She said “The Sharks is a great club, with a great atmosphere, with lots of youngsters having a lot of fun; Grant works really hard and is an inspiration to the up and coming youngsters. This is just the beginning!”

Grant also helps out coaching at the Club and said: “This is so great, after last year, I feared that it was all over; but now I am off to America to represent Great Britain. Obviously there are a number of people I need to thank for helping me get there; my family have been very supportive; Beata is brilliant and has really helped improve my style and fitness. She is a dedicated person, who has been at the top herself and understands what is required.

The Club and its members have been a great source of encouragement and now there are a number of members to watch out for over the next few years. The Sharks is a very exciting place to be right now, they have got everything in place to become one of Britain’s top clubs and I am just so pleased to be part of it and to get this opportunity.”