Reggeborgh Foundation supports canoeist Joris Otten
Joris Otten will be supported by the Reggeborgh Foundation in the coming year. The whitewater canoeist from Helmond will be included in the Groene Appels programme. ‘I am extremely happy about this. It helps me practise my sport, but it is also nice that such a great club as Reggeborgh wants to associate its name with me.’
Five years ago, Otten (27) changed course and decided to focus entirely on his sport of whitewater canoeing. He put his journalism studies on hold and moved from Brabant to Pau in southern France to pursue his dream. ‘I wanted to go all out and find out what it's like to train on white water every day. I noticed that I immediately made great strides forward.’
That's also where the dream of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris began to take shape. ‘I realised that it could become a realistic goal for me. In the end, I succeeded and competed in Paris last year.’
Otten made history by becoming the first Dutch C1 paddler to qualify for the Games. In the C1 class, you paddle with a single-bladed paddle and sit on your knees in a boat. ‘It was so cool to be among the top canoe slalom paddlers. I just missed out on the semi-finals, which could have been better, but the experience was amazing.’
Daar begon ook de droom om zich te kwalificeren voor de Olympische Spelen in Parijs vorm te krijgen. “Ik besefte dat het een realistisch doel voor mij kon worden. Uiteindelijk is het gelukt en heb ik vorig jaar in Parijs gevaren.”
Otten schreef geschiedenis door als eerste Nederlandse C1-vaarder de Spelen te halen. In de C1-klasse vaar je met een enkelbladige peddel en zit je op je knieën in een boot. “Dat was zo tof om daar tussen de top van de kanoslalom te staan. Ik strandde net voor de halve finale, dat had beter gekund, maar de ervaring was geweldig.”
And it left him wanting more. Otten now has his sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. ‘I had hoped for financial support from the NOC*NSF, but unfortunately that wasn't possible. Then the Reggeborgh Foundation came my way, and I'm so happy about that. Now I can continue training and try to achieve my goals.’ First up is the European Canoe Championships in Paris in May.
‘We've had a long winter, so it's difficult to assess where I stand. I feel like I'm in good shape and Paris is a course I know well. My goal is to reach the final, which would be great.’
- Joris Otten
Last year, the Reggeborgh Foundation received a personal letter from Joris. ‘His letter made us curious, and that's how we got talking. When we heard how he is dependent on himself and is pursuing his dream of achieving the highest possible goal, the Olympic Games, with creativity and determination, we became enthusiastic,’ says Inge Wessels of the Reggeborgh Foundation.
‘Also because, as a pioneer, he wants to put this unknown sport on the map in the Netherlands and also inspire children. We are proud that Joris is part of our Reggeborgh family of athletes.’
