CROSSGATES paddler Rachel Syme will take to the water for Great Britain after being selected to compete in European competition.

The talented former Beath High School pupil and Kirkcaldy Canoe Club member will travel to the Serbian capital of Belgrade for the European Canoe Association (ECA) Canoe Sprint Juniors and Under-23 European Championship, which takes place from June 22-25.

Rachel, 20, was chosen for the GB squad following a series of crew boat trials and training camps at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham over the last two months, which culminated in British success.

During two days of action at the MacGregor Inter-Club Challenge and National and Open Under-23 Championship over the weekend of June 3-4, she took home the women's under-23 K4 500 metres event title alongside Tanisha Clayton (Holme Pierrepont), Lucy-Lee Smith (Norwich) and Emma Ricketts (Anker Valley).

The K4 500m competition comprises of a four-person crew in a kayak and the quartet will go for European glory in just over two weeks time.

Rachel was also selected for the same competition two years ago, held in Bascov, Romania, where she competed in the under-18 event.

Neil Chalmers, chair of Kirkcaldy Canoe Club, said: "This selection is a reflection of the hard work and commitment shown by Rachel in her training over the past nine years and is a great example of what can be achieved."