{"id":18878,"date":"2015-09-08T13:30:07","date_gmt":"2015-09-08T12:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/?p=18878"},"modified":"2026-04-18T16:19:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T15:19:21","slug":"unsponsored-qa-chris-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/unsponsored-qa-chris-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chris has been kayaking, canoeing and coaching for the last 15 years and runs his own business Chris Brain Coaching, delivering paddlesport coaching, safety and rescue courses and REC First aid training. Chris is a keen and passionate boater with a real love for coaching in a range of paddlesport disciplines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When and how did you first start paddling?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I first started paddling when I was 15 after my Dad and I inherited two 4 meter long fiberglass kayaks that had been retired by the fire brigade! We took them down to our local river, wearing life jackets that didn’t fit and our cycling helmets. When we arrived at the river we clearly didn’t look like we knew what we were doing as the local paddlers suggested that for our own safety we took some lessons instead! That was sound advice and the coaches at the activity centre started to show us the way, at least we were paddling plastic boats and wearing kayaking equipment that actually fitted us. I was being taught by some great paddlers that had the latest boats at the time, either the Acrobat 270 (if they were into freestyle) or Microbat 230 (if there were serious about their creeking) they were so cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I instantly became captivated with paddling and pretty quickly I was in the river giving it my best. I managed to get someone to lend me a “rodeo” boat and started trying to tail squirt and do bow enders and pirouettes before I could even roll, basically every time the boat went over I had to swim. I think my record of swimming was 15 times in one session, but I quickly cut that number down the next few times on the water as my roll improved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What was your first boat?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bright pink euro kayaks probe (it was basically a copy of the Eskimo Topo\/Spud.) I was kind of embarrassed to be paddling a pink boat, so I bought some orange spray paint and changed the colour. One thing I didn’t realise though was the paint would scratch off when it went in the river, so it pretty quickly looked an pink and orange mess!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Unsponsored<\/a>
Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What was your biggest hurdle in kayaking when you started out \u2013 finding people to paddle with, nailing the third end, lack of rivers etc?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s interesting that you mentioned \u201cnailing the third end\u201d because when I started out I was really into my freestyle because it was easier to when you didn’t have your own car. Getting 3 ends at one point really was the holy grail for me and once I could do it consistently, my paddling took off from there. I also wish I had realised sooner that trying to use the same boat for freestyle as you do for your harder river runs is not always the best plan. I think I would have got onto harder water sooner if I had got a creek boat earlier in my paddling career. However I am talking about a period in paddlesport where most boaters were using freestyle and crossover designs for everything apart from steep waterfall paddling and it wasn’t really the norm to own 2 boats (or more) like I do now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is your current location?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manchester UK<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What has kept you in the sport?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think what has kept me in the sport is having a good understanding of what I like about the sport and making sure that it keeps meeting my needs. I like to travel and explore and I love a good adventure. The journeying element for me is really important too, I enjoy going from A to B. I also really like the fact that to improve in paddlesport you have to be focused and disciplined and to train and work hard, having tangible goals of moves, rivers, waterfalls etc makes it very straightforward to measure your progress. I also really love the fact that in paddlesport there are some \u201cveterans\u201d who are still very cutting edge and this gives me hope! If I was a professional footballer, I would be coming to the end of my career, but in paddlesport I feel like I’m just getting started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is your biggest source of inspiration within the paddling world (and why)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without question my biggest source of inspiration are the everyday boaters who just go paddling! I love the weekend warriors who get out Saturday and Sunday without fail, I love the paddlers who can have fun no matter what they are doing whether it is grade 1 or grade 5. I\u2019m also very inspired by the disciplined paddlers who are focused on training and improving and can think creatively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Unsponsored<\/a>
Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When did you realise that kayaking could be a career for you, and not just a hobby?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think I realised quite early on that in my paddling career that it was possible to work in the outdoors professionally and not to just do it for fun. I also found that this was a great way to get me on the water more regularly too, so it was win win. I was very inspired by some high level coaches really early on in my paddling and they showed me how important good training and advice can be. I went on a safety and rescue course when I was 17 and it was the most fun I had ever had without being in my boat. I said that I was going to run that course one day and now I do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What would you be doing if you weren\u2019t a professional paddlesport coach?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well I was actually heading down a path of studying film and media and I think if I wasn\u2019t doing what I do now, I would probably be into film or photography or even graphic design work. My life basically changed once I started paddling, it would be interesting to know where I would be if I hadn’t taken got involved in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does a regular week look like for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I spend more time at my computer than people think! Throughout the week I have to respond to lots of emails, write up reports from my courses and keep my own admin and accounts in check. I\u2019m on the water most days of the week running some kind of paddlesport course and I occasionally end up doing mountain based work and rock climbing too. I\u2019m making a real effort not to be a workaholic at the moment, so I\u2019m taking at least an hour a day to do my own thing, whether that is doing some flatwater training near where I live, going climbing, for a run or even just doing some fitness work in my front room. I\u2019m currently in training for sickline so Im quite focused at the moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Unsponsored<\/a>
Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Given the choice where would want to paddle?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So many places! I\u2019m heading out to the Grand Canyon next year, so Im really excited about that and I’m also going to try and get to the Zambesi if I can as that has been a long term goal of mine. I\u2019d also love to do some big sea kayak and canoe trips, I went out to Finland last year and I really keen to get back and explore the wilderness on a multi day trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you consider to be the biggest accomplishment in the world of kayaking to date?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Im still in awe every time I watch the Grand Inga Project, that is seriously impressive stuff. For me I think it really raised the bar on so many levels and in particular it is exceptionally well filmed with seriously good production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your favourite kayak of all time and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tough question! One boat that moved me on so far in my paddling was the Eskimo Zwo. I also think the Inazone was a game changer as was the burn. I spent a lot of years paddling a Nomad and I think the fact that design stood the test of time says a lot about it. The best boat I never owned???? The Liquid logic session. The first time I demoed that boat I hit 18 clean ends! The only problem it didn’t really loop and at the time I wanted to loop so I never got one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Unsponsored<\/a>
Unsponsored Q&A – Chris Brain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What kit are you currently using?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m in a really lucky position to be supported by some incredible companies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayaks<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Z.One Medium for river running and most of my coaching and work
\n9R for anything a little tastier and for fast lines
\nJed Medium for playtime<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paddles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I haven’t found anything nicer to use, stronger or more durable than VEs, I really, really rate them. Plus I’ve paddled with zero degree feather for the last 8 years at least, so its really important for me to be able to get something custom made. I use the full carbon cranks but I also have a set of straight glass VE\u2019s with the split joint to allow me to change length and feather for my clients when they want to try something a bit more upmarket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immersion research rules the roost here, the best suits, cags and decks around.
\nRoyale Deck on my 9R totally bombproof and confidence inspiring
\nKling-on deck on my Jed for great dryness and durability
\nSeven Figure Drysuit, awesome freedom of movement and lovely material
\nUnion suit to keep me toasty warm
\nAstral brewers or five ten canyoneers on my feet
\nSweet wanderer or strutter on my head as they fit my large head (and hair) very well
\nAstral Green Jacket keeps me floating and has lots of great features that make it work well<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also have a range of other bits and bobs in my kit bag that I wouldn’t be without on the water<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Palm throwlines
\nWatershed drybags
\nDMM carabiners
\nBlizzard survival jackets
\nLifeproof phonecase for my s5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris would like to thank Pyranha kayaks, Immersion Research, VE Paddles and Robin Hood Watersports for making fantastic kit and their continued support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paddlesport Coaching<\/a> – Safety and Rescue Courses – REC First Aid Training<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many thanks Chris!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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\"Unsponsored<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chris has been kayaking, canoeing and coaching for the last 15 years and runs his own business Chris Brain Coaching, delivering paddlesport coaching, safety and rescue courses and REC First aid training. Chris is a keen and passionate boater with a real love for coaching in a range of paddlesport disciplines. When and how did […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[45],"tags":[238,3567,154,47,31,3568,306,690,3566,437,1159],"class_list":["post-18878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-qa","tag-canoe","tag-chris-brain-coaching","tag-first-aid","tag-interview","tag-kayak","tag-paddlesport","tag-pyranha","tag-uk","tag-unsponsored-qa-chris-brain","tag-ve-paddles","tag-watersports"],"yoast_head":"\nUnsponsored Q&A - Chris Brain - Unsponsored<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Unsponsored Q&A - Chris Brain. 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