National team: Senior
DOB: 5/02/1994
Hometown: Point Cartwright – Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Current Place of Residence: Gold Coast
Club: Sunshine Coast Paddlesports Club
Nickname: Billy
- At what age did you start paddling and how did you become involved in the sport? I commenced paddling at age 15 through a talent identification program that brought athletes from a Surf Life Saving background into kayaking. Many Australian kayakers have come from a surf background – Ski paddling.
- Where and when was your first competition, and how did you do? 2009 Australian Titles – Perth, Western Australia. U16 events – placed nearly last in every B final. Peaked with a 2nd in the U16 K1 1000m B final.
- What has inspired you to train and compete at an International level? The awesome canoe venues all over the world are certainly enticing. Enjoying those experiences in training with teammates is motivating through probably the greatest catalyst is the challenge to find ways to improve yourself as an athlete & person.
- What has been your biggest accomplishment(s) in the sport? Winning the K1 at the Junior World Marathon Championships in Singapore 2011. Beating the legend Clint Robinson (Barcelona K1 1000 Olympic Champion) in the 2012 Australian Olympic Selection Trails.
- What is the best advice you have been given and who offered it to you? If you’re going to do something, be sure to do it properly!
- Tell us about your current training schedule. Describe an average day for you. Training generally starts with an on-water session at 5:30 am, finishing at seven. Breakfast occasionally followed by light rehabilitation gym work. Then either study or work during the day with another on water session at 4:30 finishing at 6 pm. Home for dinner.
- What do you do for fun and relaxation? Surfing the local break & relaxing on the couch. There is not a lot of time left over after training, university & work.
- What is your dream goal? I suppose everyone’s goal is to reach the pinnacle of the sport, which for us it is Olympic Glory. If one day I get there the feeling & appreciation of the journey will be a far greater feat. To be mentioned in kayaking history would be a true accolade.
Instagram: @billybain
International Results
2018
12th (K4 500) – ICF World Cup 1 (Szeged, HUN)
10th (K4 500) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
10th (K2 500) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
2017
13th (K1 500) – ICF World Championships (Racice, CZE)
8th (K1 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Pitesti, ROU)
2016
11th (K1 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Minsk, BLR)
2015
2nd (K1 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Montemor-0-Velho, POR)
6th (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
8th (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 1 (Montemor-o-Velho, POR)
11th (K1 500) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)
13th (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)
14th (K1 1000) – ICF World Cup 2 (Duisburg, GER)
14th (K1 5000) – ICF World Cup 3 (Copenhagen, DEN)
2014
6th (K4 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Szeged, HUN)
2013
3rd (K1 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Welland, Canada)
7th (K4 1000) – ICF U23 World Championships (Welland, Canada)
1st (K1 1000) – Australian Youth Olympic Festival (SIRC, NSW)
1st (K2 1000) – Australian Youth Olympic Festival (SIRC, NSW)
Other
2011 Junior K1 Canoe Marathon Champion (Singapore)
