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Category: Reader’s Rides (page 1 of 2)

Reader’s Rides – Chris Macdonald

April 30, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Who are you?

My name is Chris Macdonald, I was born in York, lived in Italy for a few years, went to boarding school in North Wales and now I’m a student in Falmouth. I’m studying a BTEC in water sports at Falmouth Marine School so doing that and kayaking I spend loads of time in the water!

Readers Rides - Chris Macdonald

Where are you based?

I’m currently living in Falmouth and live about 1 minute walk away from the sea that helps with the paddling! I travel all around the south west paddling on rivers such as the Tavy and the Dart every now and then. Most weekends I’m at Cardiff to paddle at the white water course there.

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Reader’s Rides 2016 – Ed Kingham

March 2, 2016 / / 1 Comment

Readers Rides 2016 - Ed Kingham
Name: Ed Kingham

Location:

Currently studying in Swansea, but paddling more than studying at the moment. Predominantly surfing and playboating; but also sea kayaking, polo, flatwater racing and the odd section of whitewater. There is so much great paddling around here; it’s great to be able to go for a quick surf in the morning before uni.

I’ve been paddling for around ten years, although only seriously in the last few.

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Reader’s Ride 2015 – Nick Pearce

March 16, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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Name: Nick Pearce

Location: I split my time between Somerset and Voss, Norway

I have been paddling for the last 11 years and during that time, I have been lucky enough to paddle in some of the coolest locations around the world from the UK to Chile, France, India and New Zealand. My personal favorite and the place that constantly draws me back is Norway. It’s a land full of amazing rivers with still so much undiscovered potential. For the last 5 years I have spent my life working as a raft guide which allowed me to be closer to the river and to get as much boating in as possible. I also have the pleasure of being supported by some of the best companies on the market: Zet UK, AS watersports, System X and Silverstick.

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Reader’s Rides 2015 – Tom Davies

February 24, 2015 / / 1 Comment

Name: Tom Davies (http://tom-davi.es)

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Location: Manchester

Origin Story:

I first started paddling when I was 10, in Newport, South Wales.

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I kind of fell out of love with the sport for a bit, until I went to University in 2012, and joined Manchester University Canoe Club. Since then, I’ve rapidly grown from a full time student into a full time kayaker. I try and get away to a river every weekend, and sometimes I succeed.

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Reader’s Rides 2015 – Oliver Duggan

February 23, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Name: Oliver Duggan

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Scouting the leven in tasty flows!

Location: Ambleside, Cumbria

YO! Originally from Limerick Ireland, now living, studying and paddling in the Lake District. I started paddling with the scouts when I was 16 and was hooked immediately. I learnt to paddle mainly in Ireland with a few welsh trips thrown in along the way. I realised paddling is the lifestyle for me and after and an Italian and Slovenian trip in the summer of 2014. I have been looking to paddle bigger water since then.

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Reader’s Rides 2015 – Elliott Davidson

February 17, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Name: Elliott Davidson (http://www.elliottdavidson.ie/)

Location: Nottingham

I am a canoe slalom athlete I paddle internationally for Ireland on the U23 & Senior team. I’m based in Nottingham, UK. I’m a full time athlete and train on the national white water course twice a day 6 days a week. I love anything kayaking related so when I’m not doing slalom I hit the river in my plastic boat. Although I prefer it when there’s a clock on it, but hey I might make it to Sickline eventually.

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Photo: Galasport

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Reader’s Rides 2015 – Jon Wyles

January 10, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Name: Jon Wyles
Location: Scotland
Kayaking ability: Questionable

Profile

4th year Geography student at St Andrews. Grade 3/4 uni boater with 3 years experience.

Boats:

I’ve never owned my own boat, almost entirely due to lack of funds and also due to the fact that the University has quite a large inventory of boats. I first frequented an old Liquid Logic Huck, which saw me through the first few trips I’d been on. This unfortunately was involved in a swim on a high Knaike while in use by another member of the club who shall remain unnamed (James McMahon), and was not seen again.

First Trip

Above: Me on my first river trip (Grandtully), on one of the Huck’s last voyages. Photo: Jonny Hawkins

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Reader’s Rides 2014 – Aaron Kendall

November 23, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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Name: Aaron Kendall

Location: Loggerheads, Mold, North wales

I’m currently a outdoor instructor for Kingswood, based at the Colomendy outdoor centre. What seems to be the perfect location, although I seem to of missed most of the rain due to other commitments. Still getting plenty of low water runs in and the odd bit of water too.

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Reader’s Rides 2014 – Eddy Mead

November 21, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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Name: Eddy Mead

Location: Cardiff, South Wales

Boat: Liquidlogic Remix 79

I’ve paddled the Remix for a year now and have loved every minute. It’s super long with a narrow hull so it accelerates quickly and maintains speed. It’s got soft edges so it’s really forgiving but at the same time carves into tight eddy’s and into strong currents with ease. The Remix doesn’t have masses of rocker so boofing can require a little more effort but if the boat is being driven it cruises over everything. What’s unique and cool about it is the scoop on the tail, if dipped in the green whilst punching a big hole, it will give you a boost and accelerate away from the feature. Also the LL Badass outfitting if fantastic, super easy to adjust and super comfy without adding too much weight.

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Reader’s Rides 2014 – Ben Hawthorne

November 19, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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Name: Ben Hawthorne

About me: Been paddling for a while now, maybe 24 years?? Christ I’m old!!! I have however been fortunate to take my passion all over the world and paddle in a whole lot of places including New Zealand, Nepal, Chile and Canada. For the last 2 summers and next I have been running the Sjoa Kayak Camp in Norway along with my beautiful wife and the Gene 17 boys. I’m lucky enough to be supported by Colorado Kayak Supply in the US, super cool guys, check em out.

Location: Currently, Chamonix for the winter. Stoked.

Boat: ZET Raptor. Now when these came out I thought they looked a bit industrial, rough around the edges and wasn’t that keen. Then I ended up paddling one for a bit, and after a couple of runs was completely converted. It does everything a creek boat should do. Fast (for a creek boat), boofs and rolls easy, light, comfortable and most importantly, bomb proof. I do think its not really a great beginners boat, it definitely needs to be driven around the river and will kick your arse pretty fast if youre not a pro-active paddler but I love it. It really suits my paddling style. I’m pretty excited to see the new boat they’ve got lined up, details boys details!!! Also a Bliss-stick Smoothy for my play boat, like a project in my size, love it.

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Reader’s Rides 2014 – Dave Brown

November 17, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Name: Dave Brown (aka Redneck Dave, Full Face Dave, Small Head)

Dave Brown

Location: Barrow or North Wales

Boat: Currently an XL Burn Mk3 in the sickest colours you’ve ever seen – Rasta

Dave Brown

I really like the way the rails allow you to carve hard without stalling and tripping you up unlike the old burn, making it easy to fine tune lines and snap into eddies. It has quite a flat hull which allows it to surf easily, staying high on features and keeping you in control as you move laterally across the flow which is really cool. It has the Connect 2014 outfitting it comes with which allows the seat to be varied in both height and pitch. I have this set in the highest position, with the largest block installed under the front of the seat to really lock me in which works well, even though I’m the bottom end of the weight range. Seeing as I have the attention span of a gnat, I’m considering swapping out for a 9R to get some speed in my life.

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Reader’s Rides 2013: Liam Chambers

July 19, 2013 / / 0 Comments

Reader – Liam Chambers

Country – Chasing water in Wales/Lakes

Currently in my final year studying Civil Engineering at the University of Liverpool.

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