Alana Nicholls

Alana Nicholls' blistering surf-ski form at the National Surf Lifesaving Championships caught the eye of Olympic kayak medallist Ramon Andersson. The dual Olympian and 1992 Olympic K4 1000m bronze medallist persuaded Nicholls to try kayaking and coached her to the 2012 London Olympic Games where she contested the K1 200m and K1 500m events.

At the London Olympic Games Nicholls, the winner of the K1 500m at the 2011 Test Event, finished second in both of her heats. Racing in the semi-finals, Nicholls finished fourth in the 200m and fifth in the 500m semi-final and was sent into the B Final for both events.