A locally owned and run opticians in West Bridgford has renewed its sponsorship of local canoe slalom athlete Reilly Vernon as he prepares for a crucial international season.
Specsavers on Central Avenue is continuing its support of the 24-year-old University of Nottingham graduate, who has been training in canoe slalom since 2014, building on a sponsorship relationship that first began in 2020.
The 2026 season marks an important milestone in Reilly’s career after he was recently selected for the Irish Senior Team. The year also signals the start of the qualification process for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with athletes competing for valuable quota points at major international championships.
Preparations for the season got off to an unusual start when Reilly, who lives in Edwalton, travelled to Dubai for a winter training camp. However, the camp was cut short due to the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, forcing a rapid departure amid widespread travel disruption.
‘It was certainly an unexpected start to the season,’ says Reilly. ‘With flights cancelled and uncertainty around travel, getting home with a kayak in tow wasn’t straightforward. Thankfully, I made it back safely and have been able to focus fully on the competitions ahead.’
Reilly’s international programme includes the World Championships in Oklahoma, USA, in July and the European Championships in Italy in September. Both events contribute quota points towards Olympic qualification, making them some of the most important competitions of his career to date.
The World Championships carry additional significance as Oklahoma will host the canoe slalom events at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, providing athletes with valuable experience on a future Olympic course.
Alongside the championship events, Reilly will also compete in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series as he looks to improve his world ranking. His schedule includes races in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Germany, France and Spain.
‘As an athlete competing internationally, the costs of training and travel are significant,’ explains Reilly. ‘The continued support from Specsavers West Bridgford makes a real difference, contributing towards new kit and travel and enabling me to make the best of this incredible opportunity. I’m incredibly grateful for their backing as I take on this important season.’
West Bridgford store director Stephen Rogers adds: ‘We’re delighted to continue supporting Reilly and to see how far he has progressed since we first sponsored him. Being selected for the Irish Senior Team is a fantastic achievement, and we’re proud to play a small part in his journey. Everyone at the store wishes him every success as he competes on the world stage and works towards Olympic qualification.’
Canoe slalom is a fast-paced and demanding sport that requires skill, stamina and precision. Athletes race through a series of gates on challenging white-water courses, with time penalties added for touching or missing gates. The objective is simple: be as fast and as clean as possible.
With Olympic qualification now underway and a packed international schedule ahead, 2026 promises to be an exciting and pivotal year for Reilly as he continues his pursuit of success at the highest level of the sport.
To find out more, pop into the store at 25/27 Central Ave, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5GQ, call 0115 969 4830 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/westbridgford.
