The PaddlerUK magazine May 2015 issue 2 | Page 5

STEFFAN MEYRIC HUGHES The rodeo roll… The kind folk at The Paddler have given me a platform to whine on about grammar and words on a regular basis here in the magazine, which will come as a relief to paddling companions stuck in cars, who have so far been my only captive audience. My aim is not to tell you how to paddle (I’m far too crap), where to go or what gear to buy (although that’s easy – stick to a twotone palette and you’ll look great and remember, red and green should never be seen). No, I’m going to be the word guy – the resident nomenclature and etymology geek. In forthcoming issues, I’ll guide us through the maze of ill-defined terms that litter our sport. Like ‘grade’ or ‘class’? Canoe of kayak? Phonics or Phonix? And why the monkey? At times, I will moan about the encroaching Americanisms in paddlesport, not because I dislike them, but &V6W6R