| How did you get into paddling? |
I joined the Warwick Uni Canoe Club and got into white water kayaking and canoe polo. I decided to do a coaching qualification to help out at the club and in the process managed to get a job freelance coaching. I loved it, decided to make paddling my life, and haven't looked back since! |
|
| Favourite Disciplines of paddling? |
I'm always happy if I'm in my open canoe somewhere remote, preferably with some decent white water to play on. I also love paddling ww kayak, sea kayak, and especially canoe polo - my weekly dose of anger management therapy! |
|
| Best Paddling Moment? |
There's so many... but a summer holiday a few years ago on Loch Etive with my lovely hubby and my lovely canoe was just fantastic (apart from the midges!) |
|
| Favourite Paddling Venue in the UK? |
Scotland, Wales... anywhere with mountains! |
|
| Favourite Paddling Venue Abroad? |
Tarn Gorge - France. Baking hot weather, beautiful water, stunning scenery, and some nice bits of white water to keep you entertained occasionally... what more could you want?! |
|
| Paddling Qualifications? |
Trainee level 5 Canoe
Level 3 kayak
UKCC level 1 and 2 tutor |
|
| Current Boats? |
My trusty open boat is a rather old and battered Venture traveller 15. For polo I'm in a combat zone 85. For ww the Burn M is my current choice (with a booster seat so I can see over the bow!), and on the sea, I quite like the P&H Cetus, but I can't afford one! And if anyone has a second hand spec boat going cheap - let me know!
|
|
|
Paddles?
|
WW kayak - Robson Pogo 192
Polo - bracsa kinetic polo max
And for open boating...
Grey Owl Guide - seen better days but i love it for deep water paddling
Grey Owl Sugar Island - cool for shallower stuff
Werner Nantahala - great for bashing on rocks
Werner Bandit - just because i like it
Harmony Vapour - carbon and wood in one paddle... so sexy! (or maybe I'm just weird?)
Endless River Alu Pole
A girl can never have too many canoe paddles!
|
|
| Buoyancy Aid? |
My lovely new bright yellow Palm Luna... totally worth the wait! |
|
| Cags? |
Palm Aleutian for when I'm not planning on being in the water much, and for when its really wet a Palm stikine drysuit, although I've got a new palm Element on order now. |
|
| Dry Trousers? |
Palm Amaris, lovely! |
|
| Thermals? |
Palm Indus top and Bhoting Pants, Nookie Thermal Core, most other thermals ever made... who wants to put on soggy thermals, eh? |
|
| Helmet? |
Sweet Rocker |
|
| Deck? |
Playboater Work Deck and Sandiline Polo Deck |
|
| Footwear? |
Palm Gradient Boots, and some keen shoes |
|
| Favourite Paddling Product? |
My palm amaris dry trousers are fantastic - i love having warm dry feet but the flexibility that comes with being able to change the top half depending on the weather. |
|
| Paddling Future Plans? Places to Visit? |
Canada |
|
| Paddling Hero? |
I dont go in for hero worshiping much! |