Maria Jesus Inzunza's takes on slalom

Hola!

Since 2016 I have had the opportunity to get to know just some of the rivers in southern Chile. In the University of Pucon I studied Tourism and specialised in whitewater. I graduated from University and started to work as a raft guide on the stunning Rio Fuy in the Araucania Region.

However it is the competition side of Canoe Slalom that really inspires and motivates me! Unfortunately in Chile the Olympic discipline of Canoe Slalom is at its very beginning. I have been slalom kayaking for the past 2 years and with the coaching of one of the Professors at the University of Pucon (who was actually taught slalom kayaking by North Americans when they came to Chile to train) I have been working on my goals.

In 2018 I had the opportunity to participate in the world cup in Brasil. It was a big eye opener for me and I just realised the daunting task that lay ahead for me and my coach.However, with that motivation this year I won all 3 Slalom competitions in Chile becoming Champion and qualifying for this seasons International Competitions.

In the Pan-American Championships (North & South America) I brought Chile to an outstanding 5th. Now I am currently training for the Pan-American Games where I will represent Chile in August in Lima, Peru.I am extremely grateful for these opportunities and it is the experiences I have taken in with me not only in competition but from the training sessions in Chile where the young kids watch us by the banks of the river or in Europe where I have been training with clubs and their athletes for the past few months.

I am Maria Jesús, I love to kayak and you can follow my journey and adventures at:

Facebook: @Jesuinzunzakayak

Instagram: @jesuinzunza

And I must say a BIG thank-you to Pucon Kayak Shop and Peak UK for sponsoring and believing in me!!