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Finalists announced for UK Young Adventurers Awards 2015

30 September 2015

Awards for slalom kayaking, dry slope skiing and top titles for mountain and fell running are just some of the outstanding accolades held by finalists of the UK Young Adventurers Awards 2015.

young adventurers awards logo

The University of Derby competition aims to recognise youngsters who excel at adventure sports and push boundaries to reach their potential.

This year there are four categories for the competition; Junior Adventurer of the Year (aged 7-11), Adventurer of the Year (aged 12-17), Team of the Year and Derbyshire Adventurer of the Year.

And now, the judging panel has announced the shortlist of finalists for the awards.

Professor Nick Draper, Head of the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Derby – who has been involved in organising the awards – said: “It is great to see so many enthusiastic young adventurers being nominated and recognised for their adventures.

“Good luck to all those who have been shortlisted.”

The competition seeks to find the best rock climbers, sailors, cyclists, runners, cavers, kayakers, bikers and skateboarders in the UK.

To enter, people were asked to explain why they wanted to nominate their son, daughter, young relative, friend or classmate, student or club member, fellow team member or even themselves.

Among the finalists this year is nine-year-old Heather Heslop, who was nominated by her father Roger for the Junior Adventurer of the Year Award.

Heather is the Welsh Under 10 Dry Slope Ski Champion and competed in the Welsh Alpine Championships as the youngest competitor this year in the Slalom and Giant Slalom events.

Roger said: “Heather is also the fastest rollerskier of her age in Wales and a fine cross country skier on snow but this is only the tip of a very big adventurous iceberg for her.

“She is a genuine all-rounder who has been enjoying stand up paddle boarding for about four years with our large dog who rides the board as she propels the board.”

Heather added: “I was astonished to be nominated and I will be very pleased if I win because both my family and the school will be very proud of me.”

This year’s judging panel includes Dr Chris Bussell, Dean of the College of Life and Natural Sciences at the University of Derby, Adam Evans, an outdoor leadership and personal development coach, lecturer and guide, Mark Sears, Chief Wild Officer of The Wild Network and Co-Director of Derbyshire Sport, Hayley Lever.

The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony held at the University’s Oaklands Manor Outdoor Leadership Centre, in the Peak District, on Saturday, October 10.

Shauna Coxsey, Head Coach for the RAF Climbing Team and winner of two World Cup Golds for Bouldering, will be the guest speaker for the awards ceremony.

As well as a trophy, the winner of each category will receive a GoPro HERO4 Session Camera to help document their future adventures.

Finalists for the Junior Adventurer of the Year Category:

Finalists for the Adventurer of the Year Category:

Derbyshire Adventurer of the Year Category:

Team of the Year Category:

For more information about the UK Young Adventurer Awards 2015, visit: www.derby.ac.uk/yaa2015