I initially got into water sports through a youth organisation called the Nautical Training Corps (NTC) where I did every outdoor activity imaginable. As well as sailing I particularly enjoyed kayaking and I was a good paddler.

In 2000 I went to Loughborough University to read Chemical Engineering. I was a sports scholar there and learned a great deal about how to train more effectively. I initially chose Loughborough for its excellent reputation for Engineering (at the time it was one of the few Universities offering the master course) and lovely campus.

However with a demanding degree I was hard pressed to fit in the three Ss (Studying, Sport and Socialising) and something had to give as I had only one weekend a week. Both the Canoe club and Sailing club trained Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays (with circuit training on Tuesdays and Thursdays) so I could only do one or the other. I actually chose sailing as they did the best welcoming social… little did I dream I would one day be a full time sailor.

http://www.afloatweymouth.co.uk/_images/misc/blogs/jonemmett/jon_emmett_canoeing.jpg

1995 was the year I started to get good results sailing. I remember being somewhat surprised winning the first race at the Youth Nationals (I later found out Ben Ainslie had got attached to the pin end) and in fact I was the only person to win a race that year other than Ben. However at this point my UCAS application was already in and I got my A results whilst winning the French Nationals, and the rest as they say is history.

The funny thing is the National Centre of Excellence for Canoeing is in Nottingham, right next door to Loughborough, whereas it was over a four hour drive to Weymouth…No wonder I now live so close to the WPNSA but I still do enjoy the odd paddle!