Hey, I’m Anaïs O’Donovan, I am 21 and I’m from Skibbereen, West Cork. I just qualified from college as an outdoors instructor in kayaking, windsurfing. dinghy sailing and powerboating. I am also a qualified personal trainer, fitness instructor and gymnastics instructor through Gymnastics Ireland.

I currently own a COSIMAC robe, changing towel, bucket, changing bag and beanie! I am in absolute love with all my kit. I am quite an adventurous person and I like to stay warm and dry and COSIMAC products help me feel as snug as a bug - allowing me to battle all elements!

I started kayaking a little over 3 years ago with my local club, West Cork Kayakers. It was after 4 of my friends, in one week, suggested I try kayaking, so I just knew that I had to.

From the very first day I fell in love with the sport, even though it was foggy, lashing rain and very windy – I had the best time ever, so I had to keep going back.

I decided to push myself, kayaking more and then began to explore the different disciplines like sea kayaking, white water kayaking and freestyle kayaking. From there I kayaked the River Shannon, from source to sea which was approximately 240km in length from Cavan to Limerick. I was in a group of 5 and the only female, the youngest and the most inexperienced – having only been paddling a year at this stage. I feel in love with white water rafting, predominantly the buzz of going down gorges, waterfalls, and steep rapids with great friends. Every morning I would religiously wake up at 6 am to check river levels in the hope of going kayaking. I just loved the challenge, the freedom, and the laughter it gave me.

Something about white water kayaking just made me so happy, confident and it pushed me outside my comfort zone – things which ultimately helped me grow as a person. Every river would set a different challenge and no river ever let me down, I always had so much fun! I can be way too determined so even though I fail at times, I was always challenging myself to complete the next one. My stubbornness is part of the reason that I have compete over 8 times and won 6 gold medals.

I have just qualified for the Irish team which has been a massive step for me and will be competing in the Europeans this October in Paris.

I highly recommend COSIMAC for so many reasons, their customer support is just fantastic, all the staff are always friendly and cheery! My products came so quickly which was fantastic! The quality of the gear is wonderful! I don't go anywhere without at least one COSIMAC! It also helps that they are so pretty and flattering! I absolutely love COSIMAC and would highly recommend them to anyone especially as winter is drawing in!

Anaïs