We sat down with elite paddler Belle McBennett to talk about her journey from falling into the water as a beginner to representing Australia on the world stage, and her dream of one day competing at the Olympics.
Us: Belle, what’s your ultimate paddling dream?
Belle: Competing at a senior sprint kayak championship or the Olympics, enjoying racing, and being surrounded by a supportive group of girls to share the experience with.
Us: How old were you when you started?
I started when I was 14 through the WAIS Talent Identification Program, which uses different measures to match athletes to sports. That’s how I was introduced to kayaking.
Us: What do you enjoy the most about paddling, and what is your discipline?
My discipline is sprint kayaking, which involves racing in narrow, unstable boats weighing 12kg over distances of 200m, 500m, and 1000m. What I enjoy most is the opportunities kayaking has given me—representing Australia, travelling the world, and having such a great group of supportive girls around me. We help each other grow into hardworking athletes and people.
Us: Tell us about your experience leading up to your WAIS selection.
As I mentioned, I came into the sport through the Talent Identification Program. It began with a 4-month course introducing us to kayaking. I definitely wasn’t a “natural”—I fell in a lot and was one of the slowest in the group but I loved being on the water with friends. It wasn’t until my second season that I found a competitive edge. A friend mentioned her goal of making the Asia Pacific Team, where you could represent Australia in Japan. That season I enjoyed training more, and I was lucky enough to win the U16 200m and 500m events. From there, my competitive drive really took off. The following year I made the Asia Pacific Team again in the U18 category, which had a really strong field, and that earned me a scholarship. The next season I was selected for the U18 Junior Worlds Team and represented Australia in Bulgaria.
Us: You’ve gained employment as a Paddle Academy Instructor how have you found this?
It’s been such an amazing experience. Mixing my greatest passion with work has shown me that when you truly love what you do, it doesn’t feel like “work.” I love being able to share kayaking with others, watching students, both kids and adults get excited as their skills improve and seeing them enjoy paddling as much as I do.
Us: What is your advice to someone who wants to take up paddling?
Just give it a go! There are so many different disciplines in paddling that you’re bound to find one you enjoy. Bring a friend along to make it even more fun. And if you’re trying sprint kayaking, my biggest tip is not to give up too quickly. It starts off slow and steady ,falling in and learning balance is a huge part of the process. Stick with it, and it becomes so rewarding.
Us: What has been your proudest achievements so far?
- U16 500/200 champions in Australia
- Selected for Asia pacific u16/u18/u18- competing in Japan, New Zealand and Canberra
- Receiving a WAIS Scholarship after my first year in u18
- Junior worlds in Bulgaria 2024
Inspired by Belle’s story?
Explore our Paddle Squad program, or contact your local club and start your own paddling journey today!