The complex transition from amateur to professional athlete hasn’t been without its teething problems for Bermuda long jumper Arantxa King.

In her own words, the last 12 months have been a “steep learning curve” for King, whose final amateur leap saw her agonisingly miss out on the women’s long jump final at the 2012 London Olympics.

As she had always intended, King immediately turned pro after that disappointment, relocating from California to Kentucky, where her training programme has flourished in the absence of having to juggle her studying with competing.

Although all her hard work in practice hasn’t quite yet translated into extra inches in the sandpit, King is optimistic that will soon change as she further gets to grips with life as a professional.

“It’s definitely been a big change for me going from college athlete to professional,” said the 23-year-old, who finished 23rd overall at last summer’s World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

“I’ve got my feet wet now and I know I can learn from the mistakes I’ve made during the last 12 months.

“Overall it’s been a decent year, I wanted to jump a bit further and didn’t achieve all the goals I wanted to, but the first year out I knew was going to be difficult getting my bearings.”

It’s fair to assume the next 12 months won’t be such a culture shock for King, now she has taken her first tentative steps outside the safe cocoon of college athletics.

It does, however, promise to be a far more strenuous season in terms of the major events on her competition calendar.

“In college you have all these people taking care of you and looking after you,” said the former Stanford University student. “That’s the hardest thing now, it’s all about get funding and sponsorship and I have to thank Bermuda Healthcare Services who have been amazing, stepping up (with sponsorship) when no one else did.

“I’m also learning what it means to jump professionally. In college you’re used to jumping every weekend when all of sudden you’re only getting a few meets.”

In March, should she qualify, King will head to Poland for her maiden World Indoor Championships.

Then in July she will travel to Glasgow, Scotland, for the Commonwealth Games, a competition for which she has already met the standard, before signing off her season at the CAC Games in Veracruz, Mexico, in November.

“I’m especially looking forward to representing Bermuda and doing well this summer,” King said, whose mother Branwen Smith-King represented Bermuda in the shot put at the 1971 Pan Am Games.

“The Commonwealth Games will be an important event for me and I hope to qualify for the Indoor Worlds as well.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the Indoor Worlds which is always very competitive and will be a real challenge, although I typically compete well indoors.”

King and fellow Bermuda long jumper Tyrone Smith have both returned to the Island for this week’s Bermuda National Athletic Association’s Jump Camp for youngsters.

Sponsored by Asics and Bermuda Healthcare Services, the camp is being held at the National Sports Centre all week and also features coaching from Bermuda legendary triple jumper Brian Wellman.

“I’m really excited about the camp, Tyrone and I want to lay down a basic foundation for the kids,” said King, who also helps coach the Kentucky University track and field team.

“Some might get it and some might take a bit more time, but the important thing with technical events like long jumping is building a smart foundation to build upon.

“We’re looking to have a bit of fun as well and will be incorporating some games and competitions to keep the kids excited.”