In July 2012 Billy Harris agreed to take part in the third Unsponsored Q&A series. Billy is a professional kayaker with numerous freestyle wins under his belt, a quick search on Youtube will show the kind of moves that Billy is able to pull off with confidence and ease.

Billy runs his own kayak school and describes himself as “Just a guy who likes to kayak”. Having followed Billy’s paddling exploits over the years it is a great pleasure to have Billy take part in and be the first paddler in the 2012 series.

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

I was the 5 time Canadian Champ, won silver at worlds in Australia, spent 12 years paddling everywhere.

When and how did you first start paddling?

Used to swim at this waterfall/rapid. I would swim in the current, in the eddy’s, behind the rocks and swim in behind the curtain. I was sitting at the curtain one day and a slalom boat came past. I said out loud, “I wanna do that”, and so I did (my Granny bought me a boat).

What is your current location?

I live 7 min 30 seconds from the put in to Garborator on the Ottawa river.

What scares you the most?

My daughter bringing home a Kayaker, or worse, a dirty little raft guide (I bought a hand-gun for that day!). I figure that if I kiss the first boy that walks through the door right on the lips, then whisper, “anything you do to her, I do to you” in his pre-pubecent ear, word will get around!!!

What was your biggest hurdle in canoeing/kayaking when you started out – finding people to paddle with, nailing the third end, lack of rivers etc?

The hurdle wasn’t in the beginning, it was near the end of my fully sponsored years. I identified, myself as Billy Harris the Kayaker, when that ended (it never really did) I went to a really dark place. I actually believed that I was Billy Harris the professional kayaker, not Billy Harris the guy. Getting over myself, was my biggest hurtle. (Thanks Carly)

What has kept you in the sport?

My 10 month old daughter, my wife hell even my dog. We all get up every morning, (wife runs first) and we all go to the river. Got a skirt with a hole in it for Macee’s Head to go through and we play.

Who is your biggest source of inspiration within the paddling world (and why)?

Two people, Jason Craig. If you don’t know what happened to him and what he accomplished in the end. FIND OUT! Seriously look it up, the kids my hero.

A guy called ED Poropat, nobody knows who he is, he paddles the Gull river in Minden Ontario. But he has a family, a job and pushing past 50 and he rips the local feature a part. The 9-5 guys that live and paddle like this they are the ones that have real heart. They are the people I think are an inspiration, especially this guy.

Given the choice where would want to paddle?

I want to paddle in Alaska. I never got there and hope to drive there and paddle with the family someday.

What do you consider to be the biggest accomplishment in the world of canoeing/kayaking to date?

I think to date, doing what EJ has done. Business, family, life, wife and paddling at the level he does and pulling it all off. A template that is pretty legendary.

How do you get yourself in “the zone” before a competition run or when running a challenging piece of water?

I just put my mind at rest in a peaceful place I guess.

I often tell people, Einstein came up with the theory of relativity while sitting on the toilet. He wasn’t thinking really hard, biting his tongue, when he came up with it. If you can see it in your mind you can do it, thinking will just get in the way of finding that place, the place where thinking is just not needed.

What kit are you currently using?

New 2013 JK large all star, a beat up old sweet strutter with flames on it, Salus Life-Jacket, Smith Sunnies, and Level Six gear, clothes and outerwear, and a pimpin CORE Paddle.

Many Thanks Billy.