2012 Olympics with Ella Nicholas Canoe slalom athlete

After six weeks of fantastic white water training, some sunshine and a lot of rain in Australia I finally headed back to Tauranga.

The last few weeks in Aussie were gruelling, my coach had me working very hard and I ended up with some minor injuries, a vast improvement in technique and some flat water sprint racing under my belt.

The Oceania Championships for flat water sprint kayaking were an interesting experience and surprisingly I actually enjoyed the short stint away from white water. With only three days to get used to the unsteadiness of the ridiculously skinny boats and attempt to sculpt my paddling technique to a wing paddle I was pleased my result.

I technically and physically wasn't up to the world champion standard in the K1200 and 500, but I did manage to get to the finish line with relatively little hindrance. The K2 with a comrade from Aitutaki also went down without a hitch. Although we were quite far off the pace, having had only three practice sessions and my buddy having never kayaked before, we were very pleased with how we did.

Before my time in Aussie came to a close I managed to fit in another visit to the whanau in Sydney, join the Australian national slalom team for some training sessions and rack up a bill for overweight baggage – one of the many downsides of travelling with 4 metre long kayaks.

However I made it back to Tauranga in one piece and have settled into a nice training routine back home. Every second day I make the trip to the Kaituna River at Okere falls (which just sucks the petrol from my car!!) and every other day I head to Fitco gym on 14^th Ave and Waimarino for some flat water training.

My coach is based in Rotorua at the moment so he is there for all my white water sessions. I am absolutely loving being back in my own home and I think my parents are loving having me here too – they call me their resident chef but I would say more like resident maid!

They are completely taking advantage of me. The life of an athlete has its perks but there are some cons as well! There is now less than two weeks until I head over to Europe for the year and I have got to say it still hasn't quite hit me.

Everyone keeps saying how excited I must be and I keep agreeing because of course I am excited but the full realisation of what I am undertaking still hasn't quite sunk in. I hope it does soon though – I would not be impressed if it hits me on the start line and I suddenly forget how to paddle!

Counting down the days until I leave for London – only 10 to go!

Happy Easter everyone,

Kia Manuia

Ella Rose Vaiora Nicholas