Olympic Hopeful Danielle Currie (left) trains every day on the River Avon come rain or shine, in preparation for this year’s World Canoe Sprint Champs in Europe. With Danielle is fellow NZ Canoe Sprint Representative Kim Thompson.

They make ’em tough down South, and kayaking in the dark in sub-zero temperatures doesn’t phase Danielle Currie, who is in training for this year’s Canoe Sprint World Champs.

Danielle trains daily in a mostly-male squad on Christchurch’s Avon, braving the dark and freezing chill: “We just put on more layers.”

Danielle is a rising star, having been selected into the New Zealand Junior Representative Team every year since 2011.

This year she is planning to go to the World Champs in Europe, and ultimately to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

To get there, Danielle needs help with funding. This weekend a fundraiser arranged by Danielle’s employer Gerry’s Wraps, will be at Christchurch’s The Bog Irish Bar.

A percentage of the takings will go to Danielle, and New Zealand Breweries is supplementing is the bar, while local Butcher Elite Meats is giving away delicious hot-ham-and-salad ciabatta.

Thanks to five generous donations, Danielle’s crowdfunding site has already raised enough to buy her a set of paddles, but she still needs more.

If you are in the Christchurch City Centre for the Marathon this weekend, why not drop in to support Danielle on the way home afterwards? Everyone is welcome.