I am Tomás O Donoghue, a keen, enthusiastic, and highly motivated, 18 year-old kayaker from Kerry, Ireland. I have been kayaking for 8 years, but in the last 3 years both my freestyle and river running ability as improved greatly and rapidly. My skill along with my potential plans can be utilised as a strong marketing tool, not only on the quickly growing community of Irish kayakers but also worldwide too.

In the last 3 years I have been competing on and of both within Ireland and abroad. In the 2006/07 season I broke through as a junior. I won the national title and got on the Irish squad. I then competed in the 2007 World Freestyle Championships in Ottawa.  This year so far I placed 1^st Junior in Ireland’s premier extreme boater-X ‘The Colligan Gorge Games’. My time would have placed me 3^rd in senior category. My results has prompted my inclusion in the first Clare Glens Invitational race where I was picked from Ireland’s best talent to become one of only twelve Team Captains. My team came in 3^rd place, a great result. Over the last few months I have been training hard for Freestyle as it is my first year competing in the senior category. The time and effort has paid off and I have successfully made the Irish team. I’m delighted as I am the youngest member by about 5 years! I will be representing my college and country in Thun Switzerland in September for the World Championships.

I know that in a smaller sport like kayaking exposure to the public is vital for development. I try as much as possible to get my kayaking into media. Last year I was used as a promotional icon for Ireland’s first adventure race to be incorporated into the universally renowned World Adventure Race Series, photos of my kayaking were used in their leaflets and posters. In 2007 I was interviewed by Nationwide, a mainstream Irish television show where I discussed my kayaking experiences and the gear I use. It was seen by many thousands of people as it one of the most popular programmes on Irish television. Pictures of my kayaking are currently being used to promote tourism in the south-West of Ireland. I have also gained exposure in much local and national print as well as UK magazines and the Bliss-Stick website. I will shortly be starting a new advertising campaign in an effort to attain sponsorship for my Worlds training and the competition itself.

Paddling has really had a huge influence on my life and my perspectives regarding what is important. I have travelled many countries since I became engrossed in whitewater kayaking. My first trip was out to the French Alps, to kayak and learn from two past world champions Deb Pennigar and Nico Chassing. After that I went to Europe, as part of a freestyle kayak development course, to kayak in Austria and Slovenia. This fuelled my passion for competitive kayaking.

I’m currently in 1^st year studying Civil Engineering. I live a short distance from the best freestyle kayak spot in Ireland, Curragower wave, which I take full advantage of. At the moment I’m concentrating on training for the World Freestyle kayak championships in Thun.

I have just received my Canadian student work Visa. I am hoping to work by the famous Ottawa with the aim to take my kayaking to the next level. I will spend my 3 months holidays kayaking one of the best rivers in the world and hope to break into the international scene as a top competitor.

I am also considering taking a gap year from university starting in September as I wish to travel more with my kayaking, competing in freestyle and extreme races around Europe and America.

In return for your sponsorship I can offer a number of things:

• I am training hard in freestyle at the moment and plan to do well in both Irish and international competitions, such as the Irish freestyle championships, and competitions in the US and Canada, I have already made the Irish Team for the 2009 worlds in Thun, where I plan to make my mark in my first senior international competition.
• I am a well known Irish paddler who travels the country using my gear in a way which will promote your product to many Irish kayakers daily.
• I have a very popular website, on which I can advertise for my sponsors, this has a large following back home in Ireland, and it receives huge Irish attention. I keep my website regularly updated with my various trips and experiences while paddling. (www.todrapids.blogspot.com)
• I offer free instruction to University students and teach every other weekend, to a wide range of age and ability. I can advertise your product to my students, offering them first hand advice on the product and its benefits. Not to mention promotion your products while paddling for myself. I am currently training to become a qualified instructor.
• I can relay customer feedback and opinions regarding your goods. As a competent and experienced paddler I can also give you feedback on product performance.
• I regularly make videos and slideshows of my trips, which are posted on the net and in magazines; your products would be clearly visible and advertised in the various forms of media.
• I’m very interested in the growth of whitewater kayaking in Ireland and in the near future I wish to become more involved in the Freestyle committee and the Irish Canoe Union, further exposing your products. I am currently the Safety, Training and Development Officer of UL’s kayak club, Ireland’s best funded kayak club
• I am a young but mature competitor. Although I have proved myself nationally in both freestyle and river running disciplines of kayaking, I have much yet to accomplish. With me your product will have potentially limitless exposure as my kayaking continues to develop at home and abroad.

Please consider my application, I can guarantee you sponsoring me will be an investment that you will not regret. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours in kayaking,

Tomás O Donoghue

www.todrapids.blogspot.com