British Olympian Adam Burgess has set a unique challenge to JCB apprentices and graduates – designing the look of his new canoe.
The 29-year-old Staffordshire athlete missed out on a medal by a whisker in canoe slalom at the Tokyo Games last year – he was just 0.16 seconds off securing bronze. Now with his sights firmly set on upcoming World Championships and the 2024 Olympics in Paris he is turning the attention to the design of his new canoe.
He launched a design competition for the new boat during a talk about his Olympic experience to more than 100 apprentices and graduates at JCB’s World HQ in Rocester – and promised a selection of items from his Team GB kit to the winning entrant.
Adam Burgess | British Olympian Canoeist
Adam - who has been sponsored by JCB since 2020 - has stipulated that black and yellow need to play a major role in his new boat’s vinyl wrap and that it can draw design cues from the Union Jack.
JCB Apprentice Scheme Leader Holly Broadhurst added: “Everyone is thrilled to be involved in the competition. While our employees are more used to designing the way JCB diggers look, this is a great opportunity to showcase their skills on an international platform and be creative in a very different way.”
Adam’s rise to the top of his sport in the UK stems from a visit to his school by Stafford and Stone Canoe Club which was on the lookout for new recruits. Adam raised his hand in class to join the club and hasn’t looked back since. He canoed from the age of 10 on the River Trent in Stone, Staffordshire, practising most days before school. He has been competing internationally for Great Britain and winning medals since the age of 14.