Recently I passed my 5 star white water
kayak assessment, the assessment is carried out over 2 days and is
based on guiding kayaking in advanced waters. I couldn't have asked
for a better weekend. The first day was great, we made the couple
hour's drive from Cardiff to paddle the Lynn early in the morning and
as I hadn't done it before, excitement took over and I seemed to
forget about the pre-assessment nerves. I really had a feeling like I
was just out boating for fun. This carried on to the second day where
I was fortunate enough to get 2 great candidates to guide down the
upper Dart. It was super relaxed, enjoyable and we all had an awesome
day.
After the assessment everyone had an
individual debrief, it got to my turn and In simple and short words
the feedback I received was outstanding. I felt really confident
within my personal paddling and leadership on the water. And the guys
from Gene 17 had confirmed that. It was pretty hard not to walk out
with a smile on my face, I was completely proud of myself.
After a short celebratory car park beer
with the others who passed It was time to head home. The 3 hour drive
back to south Wales left me with plenty of time to reflect on my
journey to becoming a 5* white water leader and the person I am
today!
6 years ago, nearly to the day I
started kayaking, It was something fun, new to learn and actually
quite difficult. I really appreciate my friend Becx for getting me on
the water because I was hooked. Having a love for the sport instantly
gave me inspiration to get better and teach what I've learnt to
others.
Very early on I applied for a job in
the Ardeche and when I had a phone call confirming my place I
couldn't stop jumping around the house! I surrounded myself with
paddlers. I coached, guided and learnt a lot about paddling. I made
it my job, my life and hobby. Everything thing else in my life at
that time was on hold, I found something I loved to do and I was
spending it with the best of friends who felt the same.
After a couple of years I moved to a
different company called Adventure Ardeche. The choice to move
companies as far as I'm concerned turned out to be one of the most
crucial decisions I have ever made. Phil the owner really cares about
his staff and does what he can to help put people on the path they
want to follow. It was my time with Phil and his family that gave me
the tools to progress. I was given vehicles to go kayaking on days
off, he paid for trips to the French alps, qualifications were there
if I wanted them and most importantly I was able to gain heaps of
experience.
I really have a soft spot for the
Ardeche, It's a beautiful place with beautiful people. Most of my
closest friends have come from being out there and I probably
wouldn't have met my girlfriend, Beckii if it wasn't for working
there. Although I decided enough was enough and I really wanted to
travel and paddle in different places around the world.
Beckii and I left France, we headed to
the UK, then off to Canada, back to Wales to save up then travelled
and kayaked in New Zealand for a year. During this time I started to
dial in my boat skills and run some of the biggest rapids I've ever
seen. It was great to have a range of rivers from huge volume with
big waves to tight twisting, steep and technical creeks. But towards
the end of the trip I slightly lost sight of my own goal, I had sold
my boat and kit knowing I was heading home and was really frustrated
that I wasn't kayaking. I must have been really awful to be around at
times.
At the time I was so focused on getting
better, fitter and wanting to run bigger rapids, I almost forgot why
I fell in love with the sport. It wasn't all about just having fun
with those who matter the most. I wanted to see what I was capable
of. Sometimes I would go out on the lake to do sprint fitness
sessions because I felt like I had to Even though I had nothing to
train for. Its really difficult to explain how I felt then because I
didn't really understand myself.
The time between not having a kayak in
New Zealand to collecting everything new back home felt like a
decade. I remember how excited I was to get back in a boat and I made
everyone around me aware of that! I quite possibly posted on social
media every time I looked at a kayak and definitely every time I got
in one. I felt so fortunate that I picked up a sponsorship with
Escape Watersports while I was in New Zealand. It allowed me to go 4
months without having to find a job as the less I spent on replacing
my kit meant the more I could put my funds elsewhere. A few months in
a UK winter to just paddle with friends, have fun and really enjoy my
kayaking again.
A trip to Scotland for a week just
after new year was just what I needed to confirm what I already knew.
Kayaking is made so much better with friends around to have fun with.
I still have the same drive to do the best I can and test myself but
its great days on the water with great friends that leave me smiling
more.
Not long after this, a group of us
decided to run a night descent on a South Wales classic run. By day,
possibly the best river in the south and by night It didn't
disappoint. Between everyone involved there was so much experience,
it was an honour to be part of the team. Although we joked around a
lot we had safety set on absolutely everything! I really enjoyed the
run, not so much for it being dark, although It's something I will
never forget; but once again I was out on the river having a great
time with friends.
So when my assessment arrived, I was
more looking forward to being on the river with my friends and
sharing my experiences that I felt there was no pressure. Unaware, I
was completely ready for it and It leaves me humbled.
I can only
thank everyone who has helped me achieve that. The support I have
received from coaches, friends, family, bosses, companies, people I
have met on rivers and asked for the line, people who have inspired
me to still be motivated at 5am and most importantly Beckii. At some
point everyone I have met over the last 6 Years has helped me achieve
my goal in some way or another and I'm truly grateful. Finding people
who I can share my love for kayaking with will continue to be high on
my priorities. But now I see myself at the end of a chapter and I
can't wait to carry on writing the next one!
Photography: Adam Heason, Beckii Waters.
