Paddling tips, tricks, news and gear reviews from an Unsponsored point of view

Tag: Q&A series (Page 1 of 3)

Unsponsored Q&A – David Fusilli

I can pretty much guarantee that you have seen one of David Fusilli’s edits online or have heard of Demshitz. If you haven’t you are definitely missing out. Take a read and check out some of David’s social media links at the bottom of this interview.

I don’t think a week goes by without me watching one of David’s edits. I love his work and I am stoked that David has agreed to take part in the Unsponsored Q&A series.

Unsponsored Q&A - David Fusilli

Photo: Bren Orton

How did you first get into kayaking? Who introduced you to the sport?

I first got into kayaking at the age of 7. My Dad taught me to roll in the Clarion University swimming pool.

What was your first kayak?

1st kayak was a home made??? I don’t think it had a name, but it was red with sparkles and had a sticker the back that said “red hot red” so I guess that was the name of the boat hahaha.

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Rowan Stuart

Rowan Stuart is the 2013 ICF Junior Women’s Freestyle world champion and took 2nd place in this years competition. A rising star in the sport Rowan is taking the freestyle world by storm. I am stoked that Rowan agreed to take part in the Unsponsored Q&A series.

Photo by - Sarah RuhlenPhoto: S Rulen

Who are you? Tell us a little about Rowan Stuart.

I’m Rowan, I’m 18 years old, and I really enjoy kayaking. I grew up in small-town North Carolina, and it happens to be one of the few things to do here. I would say my list of priorities has kayaking in spot #1, eating in spot #2, and sleeping as #3. Unfortunately I also go to college, so now getting my schoolwork done has to fall in there somewhere.

How did you first get into kayaking? Who introduced you to the sport?

My parents were definitely the first people to get me interested in kayaking, I remember watching some old videos, absolutely never considering that one day I could be running things like that.

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Ross Montandon

Ross Montandon is fortunate enough to spend most days on the water. He has paddled extensively around the world; competed in World Championships, become British Freestyle Champion, and is one of the youngest ever Level 5 coaches. He created New Wave Kayaking which offers extensive whitewater kayak coaching, to help paddlers really enjoy their paddling! After an initial contact a couple of months back Ross kindly agreed to take part in the Unsponsored 2014 Q&A series. I am so pleased that Ross has taken the time out of his busy schedule to take part in the Q&A. Hope you enjoy the read, I certainly did.

Unsponsored Q&A Series - Ross Montandon

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Philip Carr

It was going to happen at some point and this little writeup has been kicking around on my Mac for almost 6 months. So here it is a Q&A with me.

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Tell us a little a bit about you accomplishments in the kayaking world.

I’m not the greatest paddler and I haven’t won any major competitions. I class myself as simply a guy who loves kayaking, loves being in the water and just happens to run a website. I would therefore have to say that it is probably this site that is my biggest accomplishment in the kayaking world.

You can read about the why and how here.

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Sam Ellis

I’ve waited a while for this one and I’m really please that Sam has taken the time to take part in the Unsponsored 2013 Q&A series. I’ve known Sam for many many years, I reckon 12 years +.

Sam has consistently and quite quietly been out charging some of the biggest whitewater around the globe and hunting down some first descents closer to home. Sam is simply a superb paddler and it’s been great to have the opportunity to paddle with him over the years. Keep on charging!

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Tell us a little a bit about you accomplishments in the canoeing/kayaking world.

My accomplishments, I got “most improved paddler award” at my old canoe club one year when I was 13ish which I was well proud of!! Been on GB freestyle team for a few years competed in a World Champs and some European champs, a few first d’s. Paddled some of the most amazing whitewater on the planet with some great friends.

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Unsponsored Q&A series – Deb Pinniger

Freestyle paddler, expedition guru and accomplished slalom paddler Deb Pinniger has been at the top of the game for over two decades. Deb has participated in many wilderness/whitewater adventures across the globe and spends a great deal of time sharing her kayaking skills and knowledge with others. I was delighted when Deb agreed to take park in the Unsponsored 2013 Q&A series.

Unsponsored Q&A series - Deb Pinniger

Tell us a little a bit about you accomplishments in the canoeing/kayaking world.

I was freestyle world champion in 1999 and twice world silver medalist 2001 and 2003, European champion and five times British champion. I guess had a pretty good run.

I was also lucky during the same time to participate in a number of expeditions, one of which was an attempt of source to sea of the Stikine, with Olaf Obsommer, Olli Grau and others in 2001, another highlight was running the Ivindo River in Gabon with Nico Chassing and Olaf Obsommer in 2007.

Beyond competition and expeditions, I have been involved with coaching for a long time, which has been very rewarding and with its own highlights, some of which have been running youth trips to the Zambezi, Zanskar and Tara Rivers with young people. More recently I have been working at the 2012 Olympic kayak slalom venue Lee Valley and have headed up the kayak program there, which has been great fun to kick the program off from scratch. Continue reading

Unsponsored Q&A Series – Nick Troutman

Canadian Nick Troutman grew up near the Ottawa river in what is know at the White Water region. A move onto the water seemed a natural progression. At age 13 Nick did exactly that. Nick joined the Canadian National Team at the age of 14, won the North American Championships at the age of 18, and won the World Championships at the age of 20.

Part of the Jackson Kayak team Nick spends a great deal of his time travelling the world and paddling. I am therefore very grateful that Nick was able to take a little time out to take part in the Unsponsored 2013 Q&A series.

Unsponsored Q&A Series - Nick Troutman

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Louise Jull

Through Unsponsored I have been fortunate to get in contact with the best paddlers and kayak designers in the world. Louise Jull falls right inside of this category. Whether it’s in slalom, freestyle or steep creek extreme river racing Louise is pushing the envelope. A truly superb paddler (see the video below) and great ambassador for the sport. I am stoked that Louise has kindly agreed to take part in the Unsponsored 2013 Q&A series – enjoy!

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Tell us a little a bit about you accomplishments in the canoeing/kayaking world.

From 2008-2011 I represented New Zealand in our National Senior Team on the international Slalom Circuit. At the end of 2011 I made the switch to doing a lot more river-running and Extreme Racing. Competing at the White Water Grand Prix in Chile was a highlight but the progress I made in my paddling in 2012 was good, I managed to get on a lot of different rivers and performed well sticking some good lines in New Zealand, California, Colorado, Norway and South America.

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Diego Robles

Diego Robles is a young kayaker who is pushing and developing the sport in the emerging Ecuadorian paddling scene. It is a great honour to have such a great rising star and ambassador of the sport to take part in the Unsponsored Q&A series.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the kayaking world?

When I was 20 I ran Chuchaki falls in Leporacan gorge. At the time it was the tallest waterfall an Ecuadorian had run. I am always looking for something bigger to run.

Unsponsored Q&A Series - Diego Robles

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Jim Snyder

Jim Snyder is a squirt boating innovator, legend, founder and developer. He has been at the forefront of both boat and paddle design for decades. I am a huge fan of Jim’s boat designs and own all of his books (all kayakers could learn a great deal from the squirt boating world). It is therefore a great honour to have Jim take part in the Unsponsored 2013 Q&A series.

Tell us a little a bit about you accomplishments in the canoeing/kayaking world.

I began paddling in 1965. I was a raft guide for 19 years including being one of the original guides on the Upper Yough. I was a steep creek pioneer with numerous first descents in this area including 686 fpm Quarry Run in 1977 and 500 fpm, Elsey Run in 1979, and (~370 fpm) Red Run around the same time. I was an early kayak designer creating the first American ‘short’ commercially produced kayak (in glass) – the “Slice” in 1981 (3 meters long). Continue reading

Unsponsored Q&A Series – Rush Sturges

Rush Sturges is a freestyle and expedition kayaker with over one hundred first descents worldwide and has been a member of the USA Freestyle team on numerous occasions. Rush kindly agreed to take part in Unsponsored’s Q&A series for 2013. Enjoy.

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Tell us a little a bit about your accomplishments in the canoeing/kayaking world.

I guess one of my greatest accomplishments has been maintaining a position in the various aspects of paddling. I try to balance myself between freestyle, racing, extreme, and expedition kayaking. In addition, I’m heavily involved with the film-making component. I’m a really busy person and I work super hard on a lot of different projects, both athletic and creative. So far I feel like I’ve accomplished some cool things, but there’s still a long ways to go.

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Unsponsored 2012 Q&A Series – 2013 Who’s Next?

2012 has been a great year for the Unsponsored Q&A series. Some of the worlds top boaters agreed to take part in the series during the course of 2012.

2013 promises to be just as strong with a number of Q&As ready to go. This includes Q&As with Jim Snyder and Rush Sturges amongst others.

2012 – The Round Up

Unsponsored 2012 Q&A Series – Shon Bollock Continue reading

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