ThePADDLER 20
The dream team
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James Ibbotson ( Ibbo ) is the most experienced in the group regarding 24-hour kayaking challenges , as this is his third one in three years ! He has completed one on the Dart , one on the Trent and now one on the Dee . Outside of smashing 24-hour kayaking challenges , Ibbo works for British Canoeing and competes in C1 freestyle . He is also well known for organising paddling events such as the Euro Open . It ’ s thanks to Ibbo ’ s outstanding organisational skills that this challenge happened . l
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Jake Boswell is another freestyle paddler , and you might recognise him as the owner of Flow Kayaks . Jake works long hours for his Nottingham-based shop and yet still finds the time to get out on the water and enjoy paddling for himself . Jake wanted to get a stylish line down Town Falls over the 24 hours . I think it is safe to say he managed it !
Niamh Macken is the youngest member of our team but don ’ t underestimate her . In the three months leading up to the challenge , Niamh managed the preparation for this challenge alongside revising for her GCSE exams and preparing for the Freestyle World Championships ! Niamh got a silver medal in the junior women ’ s K1 during the Worlds . She was more than happy to swap her freestyle boat for a Zet Chilli for the challenge though !
Lowri Davies is one of the most well-known and respected kayakers and coaches in UK kayaking . Lowri is based in Llangollen and has a thriving coaching company called Flowfree . Lowri is a brilliant coach , but it should not be forgotten that she is also a phenomenal paddler . Lowri has been on the GB freestyle team for over 20 years and came seventh in women ’ s K1 in the Freestyle World Championships just gone ! She is also a keen river runner and regularly enjoys chasing the rain on the rivers of north Wales .
Aaron Kendall is well known for his love of the Dee and for embodying the phrase ‘ play the river ’. Aaron is a brilliant kayaker based in Llangollen and works as a raft guide for Whitewater Active . He has paddled worldwide at some of the best destinations in white water kayaking ! When Aaron is not rafting or chasing the rain , he can most commonly be found living his best life in a slicey boat on an eddy line somewhere on the Dee .
Finally , there is me , Del Read ! Writing about myself felt a bit weird , so I asked our friend and support paddler , Nathan Hefford , for some words instead . “ If you see someone on the river bearing a big smile and high on life , it ’ s probably Del . She is an amazing paddler and a true ambassador for the sport as a whole and for women in kayaking . Whether it ’ s paddling around on the flat water , learning some freestyle , falling off a paddleboard or smashing some lines on the rivers , you can always count on Del to be the most upbeat enthusiastic person on the water !” Kind words from Nathan and not based on the 04:00 on the Llangollen Canal version of Del !
Lowri Davies by Allan Potts
Canal and river drone shot byTom Clare