PADDLER 22
The instructional side of Oliver Cock ’ s life was perhaps an effort to provide what growing opportunity and endless inspiration could not : handrails into the pastime to which he devoted so much of his life
coaching scheme , and his was most certainly a contribution to more exclusive , more ‘ serious ’ leisure : to a pastime which merited dedication .
OPPORTUNITY , INSPIRATION AND … HANDRAILS !
Oliver Cock ’ s early life spanned the roaring 20s and the Kinder Trespass : an era when elements of British society were accused of going ‘ recreation mad .’ His early cine films documented seemingly delightful canoe trips in Scotland . After World War Two , he lived through the real democratisation of leisure , and his post-war film Surfing at Pozneath gets acclaim for sparking the development of kayak surfing . He had a ringside seat as Mike Jones and his friends took opportunities from the GB Slalom world to build an Alpine white water experience . He was at the heart of the BCU when Mike Jones ’ Relentless River of Everest was broadcast to the nation on Boxing Day , 1976 . Above all , his life
spanned the democratisation of canoeing as a recreational craft evolved in ways which made getting started ever more accessible .
The instructional side of Oliver Cock ’ s life was perhaps an effort to provide what growing opportunity and endless inspiration could not : handrails into the pastime to which he devoted so much of his life . In France , this theme of building handrails was exemplified by Paul Villecourt ’ s guidebooks : designed to alleviate anxiety among those considering a first tour . This has complemented the inspiration captured by his projects , up to and including La Grande Traversée ( 1400 km by canoe between Geneva and Saint-Nazaire ( Atlantic ) and Project CanoeVelo ( using canoe and bicycle to show the most beautiful corners of France , and to promote ‘ soft roaming ’ tourism ).
Through ten years of the OCF , opportunity and inspiration have taken centre stage , but guidance notes , shuttles , and the leading-by-example and support of others have all served as handrails for inexperienced canoeists . One strand of the workshops in the festival programme has always been around handrails into a romanticised pastime , with some guides introducing the local geology , or flora and fauna , whilst others sparked interest in food dehydration , camp-cooking or tarpology . As beginner-level involvement has grown , the programme has also gained ever more on-water