The PaddlerUK magazine September 2015 issue 4 | Page 14

PADDLERUK 14
Watch Brandon go through his routine in
slo-mo at the 2014 Hurley Classic

Brandon Hepburn

https://youtu.be/bQ5wNKb9rEM

Can you talk about your training?
Greatest inspiration? Role
models/who/what kept you
motivated?

I love fitness, so in the last couple of months I have
decided to become a personal trainer and
nutritionist. So in the fitness scene it has to be
Simeon Panda and when it comes to the paddling
world, then it’s Claire O’Hara for being so humble
and happy! Plus she has lots of gold medals. For
men… there are too many: Max Karlsson, my best
friend has the snappiest style and so clean, whilst
there is Dane Jackson and the whole Jackson
family of course! What they have done for the
sport is so inspirational in life, not just kayaking. I
could name so many amazing individuals that drive
me forward and I still sit at home watching their
YouTube videos in awe of them!

Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Photo by:Tomasz Czaplicki
What do you think of the UK’s
freestyle scene, when compared to
abroad?

I think we have a really good standard in the
UK, a super strong team. Claire O’Hara and
James ‘Pringle’ Bebbington both World
Champions, along with other paddlers that
have collected medals at major international
events.

If you could head anywhere in the
world to freestyle where would it be
and what appeals about the location?

I really want to go to the Slave River, USA. I
watched ‘Bigger than Rodeo’ when I was 12
and I was like, “Damn I want to do that,” it’s
still on my list!