Top international canoeist David Coulson has joined Theale Green Community School staff from September 2000 as a new member of the Geography department.

David ranks amongst the top ten marathon canoeists in this country and is currently the top paddler at Reading Canoe Club, which boasts very impressive clubhouse facilities by the river Thames at Caversham.

David has recently returned to the sport after a period of retirement and has quickly established himself as a member of the Great Britain squad. His credentials are very impressive, having won the famous Devizes to Westminster marathon event no fewer than five times, once in the double kayak category and four times in the single kayak.

This gruelling event is over 125 miles and takes around 16 hours to complete! To achieve this level of fitness and stamina he is training in the region of 10-12 times per week with each session varying between 1 to 3 hours in duration.

Despite the demands of his new teaching post at the school, David is determined to maintain this level of training, if he is to achieve his ambition of competing in the World Canoe Championships in 2001, which will be based in the UK at Stockton on Tees.

He admits to being, "A little disappointed in the British performances at the Olympics in Sydney, which could have produced at least one gold medal," but agrees that, "Lottery funding has been very successful in allowing British canoeists to train full time in preparation for the Games."

David is keen to see more youngsters getting involved in his sport and will be glad to introduce any budding canoeists at Theale Green Community School to the excellent training and coaching facilities at Reading Canoe Club.

There is no doubt that, with the determination he has shown in reaching the top of his sport, the youngsters at Theale Green School are going to benefit from the motivation and experience of their new Geography teacher.