Name
Steve
Specialist Area
Kayak & Canoe
Also knowledgable in
SUP
Waterwear
GoPro
How did you get into your sport
I got into all things paddle sport quite by accident! Through the scout association, I had experienced bell boats, improvised rafts, and had dabbled in kayaking. It was when I was sat in an open canoe (making a brew with a wood burner in a plastic boat, not something I will repeat in my own) that I was encouraged to go and talk to my local canoe club and get involved. From there things snowballed, I got an instructor ticket, fell into working as a kayak instructor where I learned how to paddleboard.
Favourite location for your sport
There are so many good locations to go paddling in the UK and it depends on the boat.
My favourite location for whitewater kayaking has historically been the River Dee in Llangollen, having done many trips there with my old club it just holds good memories for me. A close second is the River Eden run from Lazonby, down to Armathwaite, a nice easy low level run but an absolutely beautiful day out on the water and one that I would love to do in a canoe at some point.
Memorable session and why
There are a few paddling adventures that stick in the mind but the one that stands out to me is my last trip down the Eden. Paddling along this beautiful section of river the club, chatting with fellow paddlers and just enjoying time on the water is enough to put a smile on my face, but this trip was just a great laugh. I had recently sold my old sub 7 to one of the guys on the trip, so we were taking every opportunity we got trying to get vertical.
Piece of kit that makes you smile
There is a lot of good kit out there and I could answer this question with one of many kayaks that I have tried over the years, but the one stand out bit of kit that put a smile on my face when I got it and still does to this day is my Grey Owl Guide canoe paddle. I had spent years using centre spec paddles when canoeing I decided to get myself something nicer, the second that I put that paddle in the water it just felt right, my paddling improved and I fell back in love with open canoe paddling, and it still makes me smile every time I use it.
Advice to customers for progressing and enjoying your sport.
The best advice I can give is just to get out on the water and enjoy yourself. The more time you spend on the water with different people the more confident you will get.
And don’t be embarrassed about taking a swim, it happens to us all in the beginning and even the best of us will take a swim at some point.
Thanks for reading, I hope to speak with you on the phone or in store over a brew!
Steve
