ThePADDLER 34
What new and exciting goodies are NRS rolling out this year ? Can you tell us ? Well , there are quite a few exciting things to come ! Most obviously , the partnership with GORE-TEX means that we are upping the level of dryness and comfort AGAIN . I am already quite looking forward to that – it will be such a game-changer in the cold and wet conditions I find myself in so often !
You ’ re also an Exo team paddler ; what are those advantages ? I paddle only the equipment which works best for me – that ’ s how I choose my gear , and that also means that I care a lot about being able to give input for designs and not have to worry about my gear when I am kayaking in big and consequential whitewater .
When did you first start paddling , who provided the motivation and who was it with ? I started kayaking together with my dad ; looking back at it now ; I think he went through a midlife crisis . He divorced my mum , moved to the city , bought a really quick motorbike and picked up an action sport which happened to be kayaking . And the 8-year-old Adrian just came along for the ride . So that ’ s how it all started – after that , I quickly went into freestyle and met so many people there who I still paddle with – Bren and Dane , for example .
When did you first partner with NRS ? What was your first trip as a team paddler ? My very first contact with NRS was back in 2015 when I got invited by David Bain to join a central and eastern European kayaking road trip together with a few other paddlers . I got to paddle new rivers with new and old friends , and we had an all-around great time ! What a fantastic opportunity that I am still grateful for .
After that , I paddled in the Adidas Terrex team after winning a campaign they were running back then . So , it did take another few years until 2019 , and I decided to join the NRS team and could not be happier . Quick hint – already looking for the next team trip to kick off this spring !
You have worked with NRS for several years now . How do their company values link with your own ? I am very aware that the only reason I can do my sport is due to intact river systems linked to the entire ecosystem we must take care of .
Any business relationships with any other companies ? I am happy to call Red Bull my sponsor , which opened many doors and helped push my personal development as an athlete to the next level . Between the possibilities of pitching the craziest projects and receiving great support in training and rehab if needed – I have all the aspects of my kayaking covered , and it is pretty much all I ever wanted .
You were paddling in Zambia this winter . Tell us a bit of what the Zambezi is like as a winter paddling destination ? The Zambezi has a very special place in my heart ; I went there first in 2018 and have been going back for roughly a month every year since – and I will keep doing that .
Not only is the Zambezi the most fun and forgiving big water run I have ever come across , but it also has so many possibilities to work on everyone ’ s individual kayaking without fearing some super bad consequences .
Between all the crazy travels and not sleeping in the same spot for more than a few nights all year round , I find it quite ironic but fantastic that a reason why I love the Zambezi is the routine I have there . I sleep in the same spot for a month ; I kayak the same river for a month ; I go to the same gym , and so on . Logistic planning is minimal , and all I need to care about is kayaking , eating , going to the gym and making videos . I love it !
WHAT ' S THE BIGGEST LESSON YOU ' VE LEARNED FROM KAYAKING ? I learned to listen to myself and make decisions in high-stress situations and learned that persistence is key . Many situations where I had to expose myself to scary situations on the river and play the mental game of scouting , deciding and pulling it off after helped me to be able to trust myself and my decision making .
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