Interview : Peter Tranter Photos : Reed Chillcheater Many thanks , Chris and huge thanks to Jane Carley , for all your help and taking time out of what I know is a busy schedule – we appreciate it . Before we start Chris , please tell our readers a little about yourself , your family , your background , etc .
PADDLER 19
A chat with … Chris
REED
Celebrating 25 years of Reed
Interview : Peter Tranter Photos : Reed Chillcheater Many thanks , Chris and huge thanks to Jane Carley , for all your help and taking time out of what I know is a busy schedule – we appreciate it . Before we start Chris , please tell our readers a little about yourself , your family , your background , etc .
My two brothers wanted to shoot me with their BSA air rifle and Gap Gun , so I had to make a protective leather outfit to run over the fields while they shot at me . It was important I made protective stuff right from the get-go .
I used to make my stuff as a kid , and my mum was a great influence as she always had a sewing machine out . Eventually , I thought I ’ d have a go at fashion , so I did a degree at Newcastle Poly back in the 80s . It was fashion design , marketing , and industry-based , not flouncing around doing pretty drawings and making lovely ball gowns . This was about proper industry , which was great . It ’ s where I got the basis of learning about textiles and the technical aspects of textiles , how they perform and how they cut great patterns , grades and sizes . I then worked in the industry for ten years - Marks and Sparks , C & A , Littlewoods , British Home Stores and other large High Street companies , and for people on the markets , banging out loads of basic but fancy stuff .
I then started my own business producing a special kind of textile suitable for kids on the beaches to stop them from burning or getting cold . I had a couple of my own by now , born in the early 90s , and I found that neoprene on the North Devon beaches wasn ’ t a very good option for young children . I developed the Aquatherm fabric , my special invention , and put a few separate items together to start with . I sold one or two a day , and then it got bigger and bigger . I started to produce more and more , added to the range , and moved into surf lifesaving and paddle sports . Eventually , the range grew to what it is today . As for me , I am lucky enough to live in the very beautiful North Devon with my partner Jane and Mr Socks the cat .
You began sea kayaking over 30 years ago and haven ’ t stopped since . What made you start ? I was a surfer , so surfing brought me to the ocean . It was just really pleasant when you started to move away from the ego-based sport of surfing into the gentle and kind bunch of people who were the sea kayakers , and I ’ ve never looked back since . They ’ re a really lovely bunch of people without big egos , and you can find the very best in the world kayaking with the newest people in the sport , and it ’ s always fun .
How does kayaking on the ocean give you particular satisfaction ? I love the vast , vast spaces of the ocean . Often , people ask if you ’ re a mountain or sea person . Well , I ’ m certainly a sea person . I love the fact that the horizons are endless , and there are no limits to where you are . I don ’ t feel at all afraid , even at depth . I think it ’ s great fun being out on the ocean - it ’ s like a playground on your doorstep , isn ’ t it ? So fabulous .
PADDLER 19