Last Updated on 08/09/2024 by Crip Life
Ed Clifton is set to make his Paralympic debut in Paris, following a standout performance at the 2024 Paracanoe World Championships in Szeged, Hungary. A former track and field athlete who transitioned to Para canoe just three years ago, Ed has quickly established himself on the international stage.
As part of our ParalympicsGB debutants interview series, our editor, Emma Purcell, speaks to Ed Clifton about becoming a para canoeist, his sporting success so far and what he is most looking forward to at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Ed Clifton makes his Paralympic debut in Paris this summer, qualifying his place with an emphatic performance at the 2024 paracanoe World Championships in Szeged, Hungary.
Ed is still a relative newcomer to paracanoe having switched to the sport in 2021. He was formerly a track and field athlete, competing across the throwing events in the F56 class and representing the British team in 2019.
Despite being new to the sport, Clifton has impressed and made his international debut at the Poznan World Cup in 2022, where he finished seventh in the VL2. A year later he competed at his first World Championships in 2023, placing ninth.
Outside of the sport, the 38-year-old from Essex is a big fan of rugby.
Returning Paralympians Emma Wiggs, Jeanette Chippington, Charlotte Henshaw, Laura Sugar, Rob Oliver, Dave Phillipson and Hope Gordon will be joined by Ed and fellow debutant Jack Eyers.
Read on to find out more about Ed Clifton in his own words and scroll down to see his Paris 2024 results.
Ed Clifton living with a disability
What is your disability and were you born with your impairment or acquired it later in life?
I have a T12 spinal injury after an accident in 2015 on holiday with friends in Croatia. I had a freak accident where I fell from a balcony, which resulted in me breaking my back and needing to use a wheelchair.
How does your disability affect you on a daily basis?
I’m a full-time wheelchair user, but prior to my accident I was always involved in sport and got back into it quickly taking up seated throwing. Paracanoe also gives me the freedom of the water.
Ed Clifton becoming a Para canoeist
How did you get into Para canoeing and why did you switch from athletics?
I got to a good level competing internationally and being part of British Athletics Paralympic Futures Academy. I took a break from the sport after the 2021 season and in that time, I watched a documentary on Billy Monger where he was trying different Paralympic sports including canoeing. I thought it would be interesting to give it a try and emailed Paddle UK and was invited to Norwich Canoe Club to have a go.
Since then I have been welcomed and supported into the sport and met some really nice people allowing me to make really good progress.
How does Para canoeing differ from standard canoeing?
When you’re out on the water, there’s so much freedom. We have slightly different boats. I use a boat called a Va’a that is similar to the traditional canoe, but it has an ama on the side, which is essentially a float that gives the boat some additional stability.
Have you found the water quality in the UK affecting your training and competitions?
There have been a couple of times that pollution has disrupted training. Paddle UK are doing a lot of great work to highlight water quality in the UK and as a paracanoe team, we have been involved in some of their Big Paddle Clean Up campaigns, where we cleaned up the local water ways around our training.
What has been the highlight of your Para canoeing career so far?
It has to be qualifying for Paris 2024 Paralympics! Representing Britain is an amazing feeling and I can’t wait to compete at the biggest stage of them all in the Paralympics.
You are also a rugby fan. Have you ever considered trying out wheelchair rugby?
I have tried it but I’m happier in my boat. I still enjoy watching it though.
Ed Clifton preparing for Paris 2024
How does it feel to be selected for your first Paralympic Games?
It’s an honour to represent the country and the chance to compete against the best in the world. I’ve only been in paracanoe a few years, and to be selected at the Games at my first attempt is a fantastic achievement. I’m just going to go out and enjoy every moment.
How have your preparations been going for Paris 2024?
They’ve been going great! I’ve been putting some great times in recent weeks as we build up to the Games. I just can’t wait to put out my best efforts in Paris and enjoy the moment.
What are you looking forward to the most at the Paris Paralympic Games?
The experience and opportunity to compete at the highest level of competition in this sport. Everything around it is going to be great. The Paralympic Village is very exciting.
You can find out more about Ed Clifton by following him on Instagram.
Paris 2024 Paralympics: Canoe results
Ed Clifton competed in the Men’s VL2 paracanoe event, starting out in the qualifiers, finishing in second, and then the semi-finals where he finished third. But sadly his aim to win his first medal failed as he only finished seventh in the final with a time of 54.78.
Speaking after the race, Ed said: “I’m pleased with seventh, but not that pleased with my performance, I’ve done a lot better in training. I can’t complain but it could have been better.”
The other ParalympicsGB canoe results are:
- Emma Wiggs – Women’s VL2 – Gold
- Emma Wiggs – Women’s KL2 – Silver
- Charlotte Henshaw – Women’s KL2 – Gold
- Charlotte Henshaw – Women’s VL3 – Gold
- Laura Sugar – Women’s KL3 – Gold
- Dave Phillipson – Men’s KL2 – Silver
- Jack Eyers – Men’s VL3 – Silver
- Hope Gordon – Women’s VL3 – Silver
- Hope Gordon – Women’s KL3 – 5th
- Rob Oliver – Men’s KL3 – 6th
- Jeanette Chippington – Women’s VL2 – 4th
- Jeanette Chippington – Women’s KL1 – 7th
Be sure to catch up on Ed Clifton’s race and the rest of the ParalympicsGB canoe squad at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4.
What is Paracanoe?
Competitors sprint over 200m in a kayak and much like its Olympic counterpart, Para canoeing is a race in lanes to make it to the finish line first
There are currently six different events (three for men and three for women) and this has the potential to increase to include the Va’a (outrigger canoe) events as the sport develops further.
Classification
Eligible impairments include impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of motion, limb deficiency.
Paracanoe is for athletes with a physical lower limb impairment who may also have impaired trunk function. Athletes compete in kayak (KL1-3) and/or va’a (VL1-3) boats, with each having three Sport Classes. Classification in the two boats follow similar processes, however due to technical differences between the two boat classes, an athlete will not necessarily have the same Sport Class for each boat. For example, an athlete may be a KL2 and a VL3.
Sport Class structure:
- KL/VL1: these classes are for athletes with significant impairments resulting in no to minimal trunk and leg function, instead relying on arm function to propel the boat.
- KL/VL2: athletes in these classes have an impairment which results in them having partial leg and trunk function.
- KL/VL3: athletes in these classes will have full trunk function and their impairment will only reduce their leg function.