PADDLER 16
Photo : Dan Sutherland
I was able to paddle with many of the generation a bit older than me . Nico Chassing is a kayaker I would have loved to watch and learn from on the
“ river in person .
PADDLER 16
Photo : Dan Sutherland
How do you personally prepare for expeditions - mentally and technically ? The technical side of expedition preparation is a fun game of bringing exactly what you think you need and a few things you do not ( extra food , or a book , or a pillow , or a big pillow )— balancing what you need for : the descent , nutrition , rest , and recovery . I enjoy imagining the days and time on and off the river , the weather , and the climate to prepare me and knowing that I am setting myself up for success by choosing ahead where I may need to be tough to save weight and / or that I can look forward to a big chocolate bar to share on night five .
I dig into the satellite imagery to gauge gradients and distances to make a realistic guess on the workload we are facing . Accessing the put-in and getting home from the takeout is just a matter of research on the front end .
When you prepared for an expedition in remote locations , what qualities did you look for in a fellow team kayaker ? I planned and led a remote expedition in the Northwest Territories . I kept the team small and was with people I paddled with often . Importantly , I knew the individuals would choose to solve challenging problems on the river rather than try to get out and walk around our particular objective .
We ’ ve all watched the extraordinary footage of you running waterfalls , but what goes through your mind as you stare into the abyss , tipping over the lip of a near-vertical waterfall ? Staring down the landing of a tall waterfall with nowhere else to go is spectacular . It was hard for me to gain enough experience and earn the focus and calm to witness and thoroughly enjoy that moment . During my best lines and best waterfall sensations , I am just enjoying the experience while executing the plan I made . I guess the answer is the plan is going through my mind while I try to soak in the fleeting sensations .
Have you ever feared any particular river or waterfall ? At this point , with hindsight , experience , and age , I am finding it interesting to go back and re-process situations , decisions , and rivers . But I can ’ t think of a way to answer this question other than yes ; there are many rivers and many drops . No , I haven ’ t approached a river in ‘ fear ’, and yes , I have ‘ feared ’ waterfalls and drops .
What was your biggest wipeout ? I ran a large cascade in Quebec called Chutes de St . Ursule . I made various mistakes in the approach and the descent , including not realising a substantial drop in the water level . I made it through with a hold down in a small cave or indentation in the bedrock and a swim over a 60-foot sliding drop .
YOU ’ RE CLEARLY ONE OF THE PADDLERS OF THIS GENERATION . WHICH PADDLERS FROM THE PAST WOULD YOU HAVE LOVED TO HAVE PADDLED WITH ?
I was able to paddle with many of the generation a bit older than me . Nico Chassing is a kayaker I would have loved to watch and learn from on the
“ river in person .
”