A YOUNGSTER who trains in Alva was crowned Scottish champion in a slalom kayaking event this summer.

Olivia Wears clinched the title in her Junior 12 K1 Women category, having honed her skills on the River Devon, near Alva.

She attended the Scottish Junior Slalom Championships on the River Tweed near Selkirk last month, three years after she first jumped into a boat with intentions to compete.

Olivia trains with the CR Cats Canoe Club and before that, she paddled on Gartmorn Dam with her father.

She also practices at Grandtully, in Perthshire, and at the Pinkston Watersports Centre in Glasgow for whitewater experience.

The youngster, who studies at Dollar Academy, is now competing far and wide, which takes up most weekends.

She said: “I like the adrenaline, because when I go down the drips, my hair blows back and I like the feeling of the wind in my face.

“It’s just such a different thing to do and I really enjoy it.”

Another highlight from the summer included a two-week training camp in France, organised by her club.