‘I’ve never actually done the Liffey Descent. I’m sure I’d kick everyone’s ass in the first two minutes and then die a death’

Sam Curtis, 24, from near Dunboyne in Meath, is the reigning three-in-a-row Irish senior K1 slalom canoe champion. He has a degree in industrial design from Dublin IT and is currently finishing his Masters exams in strategic management. Then, he faces a busy summer, starting with the European Championships in Prague on June 1-3, followed by competing in the World Cup series.

Q: How did a lad from Meath get involved in slalom canoeing?

A: I played a bit of hurling and gaelic but I was rubbish at football. My older brother Joe used to canoe with a friend of his and I just tagged along. Our house is only about 15 minutes from Lucan where most of the Irish team train.