PADDLER 16 class 5 in a kayak then, and I reasoned anything I would take a canoe down would be far safer, and I could always swim to the side( in the middle of the Irish Sea, this thought seemed very naive. There were a couple of brilliant outings with Loel, and some of the upsets were so funny. I remember laughing so much; it hurt. At the same time, I started reading as much as possible about canoes, including Bill Mason’ s books on technique. It was very much like climbing, which had literature and history, and that inspired me.
Paddles by Freebird. Love their stuff. NRS has been so good with drysuits and more. Then into canoes: I still love my Venture Afon, the big blue beast. It is excellent as a tandem boat and will take a battering. However, my favourite is the Silverbirch Broadland in Kevlar. I can pick it up from the ground, throw it on my shoulders, and believe I am 20 years younger. It moves beautifully and is light. That is transformational.
PADDLER 16 class 5 in a kayak then, and I reasoned anything I would take a canoe down would be far safer, and I could always swim to the side( in the middle of the Irish Sea, this thought seemed very naive. There were a couple of brilliant outings with Loel, and some of the upsets were so funny. I remember laughing so much; it hurt. At the same time, I started reading as much as possible about canoes, including Bill Mason’ s books on technique. It was very much like climbing, which had literature and history, and that inspired me.
Of all your travels – which have you enjoyed the most? Do you have a favourite child? Thank goodness I have only one, so that is easy to answer. Now, trips are a different thing. Fresh in my mind is the Porcupine River in Saskatchewan. It was challenging and remote, and I knew it would be the last of that type I would paddle and portage. But I loved Algonquin with Maya( my daughter). To share the wilderness with her was amazing. I have fond memories of travelling in Western Sudan and climbing a remote mountain there: the people were amazing, and oddly enough, I really like desert-like landscapes. Hence, I loved the Big Bend of the Rio Grande. I can’ t forget the wonderful River Spey. I have done it so many times and loved it so much.
We’ ve seen your WW kayaking photos; when and why the change to open canoeing? I am currently wading through piles of slides, so some sea kayaking ones will also turn up. I loved sea kayaking as I could just put the boat on the roof of the car and set off on amazing solo adventures: some bloody sneaky ones at that. The centre where I worked had a canoe, and we were all keen to play with it. Loel Collins was a decent canoeist and an exceptional kayaker and gave me my first actual instruction and a lot of fun. We were running a lot of
How do canoeing and exploration give you satisfaction? I love the dance in the canoe. There is a beauty and satisfaction in the movement. Exploration: well, the bigger, the better. What is around the next bend? What is over the horizon? I think the need to explore is hard-wired into our DNA. Our ancestors spread out from one spot in Africa to fill the world( for good or bad). An expedition has a purpose, which is often simple in concept and a real contrast to our everyday lives. There is an oddity, and I warn the client about this on our Canadian trips; having travelled with purpose, the endpoint can be an anticlimax and filtering back into the modern world can be harsh, even depressing.
Do you have any overseas canoeing journeys lined up? Sadly no. I can still travel to Canada as long as there are no real portages. Insurance is now a problem with age and heart issues.
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WHAT CANOE AND EQUIPMENT ARE YOU CURRENTLY USING?
Paddles by Freebird. Love their stuff. NRS has been so good with drysuits and more. Then into canoes: I still love my Venture Afon, the big blue beast. It is excellent as a tandem boat and will take a battering. However, my favourite is the Silverbirch Broadland in Kevlar. I can pick it up from the ground, throw it on my shoulders, and believe I am 20 years younger. It moves beautifully and is light. That is transformational.