Tandem but only with my daughter( Maya made me type this). I love both and wouldn’ t choose between them. With a good bow paddler, it is wonderful and becomes a dance, and you can really push distance. I love the quiet times when I am solo, as well as the movement.
” PADDLER 19
YouTube, yet more of the learning process
What is the most significant accomplishment in your career? Two things I would list. First, the circumnavigation of Wales by canoe back in 1992. It changed people’ s perception of what a canoe could do, all down to Robert Egelstaff’ s original concept of the circumnavigation of Wales. Once we started discussing the idea, with a liberal helping of wine and whisky, we changed from doing the coast in sea kayak to doing the whole thing in canoe. That was some trip. I think it helped change people’ s perception of what a canoe was capable of in skilled hands. Strangely, we managed to get on with fishermen on our ascent of the Afon Dyfrdwy( River Dee), and with one exception, kayakers either openly mocked us for being in a canoe or were dismissive. Canoes were seen as something used by people who couldn’ t kayak.
The second is helping to inspire so many other people through my book, coaching, talks, and videos.
You run a very successful YouTube channel on your canoeing exploits – how did that come about? I have always enjoyed talking and writing about technique and my trips, so moving to video was obvious. Covid helped as I had masses of spare time and a small reservoir 350 metres from our isolated house. I could take the time to learn how to use Final Cut Pro and start the process. Don’ t get the idea that I am a tech genius, I struggled to learn this stuff. I have often described myself as a stubborn bastard learner. If I have an objective I truly want, I will work hard for it. I have had a lot of highly supportive comments and conversations. It makes no sense financially as the returns are so low, but some help via buymeacoffe. com. It gives me a sense of purpose.
When canoeing as a duo, what attributes do you look for in a fellow paddler? Someone who shares my objectives on a trip. The style, the speed, the ethics. Having that shared purpose gets rid of a lot of rub points. The objective can be as simple as sharing a gentle trip to crossing Scotland in a single day.
Which gives you the most pleasure – WW canoeing or flat water? Depends on the day. It is hard to beat the mirror calm of a lake in the early morning light. There is also a great joy in making moves down a rapid, interacting with the changes in current. It is a dance.
You’ re no spring chicken, and you have publicised your health conditions on knees and heart; how are you trying to improve your physical condition? Does having a teenage daughter help? In my seventies, age has finally caught up with me. In response to one of my questions, my doctor said,“ Are you surprised?” It still makes me smile. This body is not going to have a good second-hand value.
I am going to the gym twice a week for a workout. I’ m trying to do some walking, but my knees and heart make it harder. Having Maya, if anything, makes it harder as I wanted to do trips with her to the mountains and the like. Not possible now. Paddling is fine if I don’ t have big portages, but I still can do distance. Maya says she encourages me out on walks. Mind once we are out, she talks at / to me the whole time, and I am too slow to get away( which she likes).
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DO YOU PREFER SOLO OR TANDEM CANOEING?
Tandem but only with my daughter( Maya made me type this). I love both and wouldn’ t choose between them. With a good bow paddler, it is wonderful and becomes a dance, and you can really push distance. I love the quiet times when I am solo, as well as the movement.
” PADDLER 19