I’m Pete Bridgeford, aged 17 and I’m in my 2nd year at Evesham college studying game design and media. I’ve been paddling for around 5 years, at my local club based in Stratford called ‘SOAK’, and I now mainly focus on the freestyle side, but I’ll also happily run rivers.

I got into freestyle when I saw one of the guys in my club cartwheeling, which made me want to try it! My dad bought me a Dagger Kingpin 6.1, which I started to learn the basics in, I then progressed and got a Pyranha Molan which I learnt to front loop in, and I now paddle a Jackson Rockstar. I mainly go paddling at HPP, Nottingham, with Alex Read, when even I can, and I’ve recently been out to places like Slovenia and Plattling. This year I’ve also started entering freestyle events such as the youth freestyle series and some British league events.

What Discipline do you paddle?
Mainly freestyle, and I also do some river running

Home town?
I come from a small town near Stratford called Alcester

What are your local playsports / rivers?
Holme Pierrepont - Nottingham
Nene Whitewater Centre - Northampton
River Avon Stratford

What Club do you go to?
I'm part of the kayak club 'SOAK' (Stratford upon Avon kayaks) been going here for about 5 years now

What Boats are you currently using?
Jackson Rockstar M - Rasta

What kit do you use?
WRSI Trident helmet
Palm Fuse kag
Palm Zenith shortie cag
Mitchell blades - Nemesis Crank
Playboater spray deck
Jackson thruster combo

Achievements?
2 Star kayak & canoe
3 star kayak
4 star river leader whitewater kayak
Level 1 coach
Level 2 coach trainee
FSRT
WWSR
First freestyle competition, 1st place in the novice category at Boulters weir

What is your best boating moment?
Its hard to pick just one best boating moment, but paddling in Slovenia has got to be up there near the top!

What are you plans for next year?
Main plans for next year is to just get out and paddle as much as possible

Entering more events, such as the British league and youth freestyle events and to generally improve my kayaking, nailing those high scoring moves!

I also plan to get my Level 2 coach done, and get my 3 star in canoe.

I started paddling 4 years ago at my local Canoe Club in Hinckley-Break Out Canoe Club. After completing my 2 star, I took up Canoe Slalom. In Spring 2010 I bought my first kayak, a Pyranha S6F.I was introduced to Freestyle at the Nene on a junior coaching day with 'Squarerock' that summer

In October 2010 I upgraded to a Jackson Allstar. I joined Paddleplus Canoe Club at the end of 2010, where I got to know other young freestylers and started to do harder whitewater. In March this year I started to compete in the Youth Freestyle and British League for the first time. I feel I have had a good first season and hope to make a big improvement in my performance in 2012.

What Discipline do you paddle? 
Freestyle, Slalom, Raft

Home town? 
Leicester

What are your local playsports / rivers? 
HPP and Nene

What Club do you go to? 
Freestyle: Paddleplus
Slalom: Break Out CC

What Boats are you currently using? 
Jackson Allstar 2010
Galasport Echo 

What kit do you use? 
Mainly Peak UK and Palm

Achievements? 
10th British League 2011
10th Overall Youth Freestyle 2011
21st Division 2 Slalom 2011

What is your best boating moment? 
My first go in my Allstar

What are you plans for next year? 
To focus on freestyle and to push it as far as I can. Also to get more into creekboating and gain my BCU Level 2 Coach