{"id":46257,"date":"2026-04-28T20:29:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:29:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/?p=46257"},"modified":"2026-04-14T20:36:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T19:36:39","slug":"unsponsored-qa-series-cameron-forry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unsponsored.co.uk\/press\/unsponsored-qa-series-cameron-forry\/","title":{"rendered":"Unsponsored Q&A Series – Cameron Forry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are on Instagram and like checking out whitewater paddling you probably have seen some of the images and videos posted by Cameron Forry. We have been following his paddling for sometime and have reposted many of Cameron’s videos on Social Media Saturday. We are absolutely delighted that Cameron agreed to take part in the Unsponsored Q&A series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Cameron Forry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Could you tell us a little bit about you and your paddling journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m Cammy, I\u2019m 24 years old and currently work in the offshore energy industry as a mechanical technician. I started kayaking when I was 7 after being dragged along to an open day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unsponsored Q&A Series – Cameron Forry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once I started, I never wanted to stop. I was going at least every Wednesday night and joined Eastwood and East Kilbride Kayak Club, where I got my first taste of whitewater on the River Teith and later at Pinkston Watersports when it opened in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I got into freestyle kayaking shortly after, and that became my main focus for a few years\u2014at least until I could drive! Freestyle is defiently where I was able to build up alot of my skillset and of nothing else get a pretty bomber rolla nd be comfy in a hole. I was spending Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings at Pinkston, rain, snow, or shine, so I owe my dad big time for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

I later got involved with the SCA (PaddleScot) freestyle events and committee, where I was reintroduced to Mark Mulrain, who had actually been one of my first coaches back in my flatwater days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I studied at Strathclyde University for four years, mostly during COVID. I wasn\u2019t the best student and ended up leaving in 2024 without a degree, as kayaking had pretty much taken over. I was working at Pinkston as an instructor and spending most of my free time on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through uni, I made some great mates like Ali Shapland who I\u2019ve spent loads of time paddling with\u2014both on local rivers and further afield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since learning to drive, I\u2019ve spent a lot of time exploring the west coast, doing dozens of laps of the classics. I\u2019ve also been lucky enough to get on some less commonly run rivers like the Kirk Burn, Affric, and most recently the Taodail waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been fortunate to paddle in Mexico as well, along with a few Alps trips across France, Italy, and Slovenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are you from and where do you live?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m originally from Glasgow, but I\u2019ve recently relocated to Inverness, which in my opinion is the place to be for outdoor pursuits in Scotland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Unsponsored
Unsponsored Q&A Series – Cameron Forry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What does a regular week at this time of the year look like?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I\u2019m not away at work, I\u2019m usually keeping an eye on the weather forecast and hoping for rain. If it\u2019s not looking good for kayaking, I\u2019ll head out into the hills instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time of year, though, we\u2019re into dam release season in Scotland, so there\u2019s usually always something to paddle\u2014it\u2019s never too long to wait for water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Unsponsored
Unsponsored Q&A Series – Cameron Forry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What did you focus on to become comfortable running big or complex rapids? What allowed you to progress your skills?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, it\u2019s about finding a line, being happy with it, and committing to running it the way I\u2019ve planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also think it\u2019s important to assess the risks properly\u2014understanding consequences, where safety could be set, and how to minimise exposure. At the same time, I try not to spend too long overthinking things, as that can let doubt creep in more than it should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have any pre-paddling rituals to help calm your nerves or get you into the zone?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s something big or I\u2019m feeling nervous, I like wearing a mouth guard. It gives me a bit of peace of mind\u2014probably more mentally than anything else\u2014but it helps me feel more settled before dropping in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Unsponsored
Unsponsored Q&A Series – Cameron Forry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When was your last swim? What has been your luckiest escape?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These two probably go hand in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I got pinned underwater by a forking tree in the Braan Gorge when the water level was pretty high. As I flipped into it, I got caught around the chest. I managed to free myself by shifting the tree slightly, then climbed onto it, got out of my kayak, and made my way out of the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was really glad to have a solid group around me that day. If the tree hadn\u2019t moved, who knows what would have happened\u2014it definitely wasn\u2019t a pleasant experience. As Aaron likes to remind me, I\u2019m a very lucky boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world to paddle?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right now, the dream trip would be the Pacific Northwest and California. I\u2019d love to make that happen sometime soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What message or top tip would you give to a young paddler who wants to progress in the sport?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have fun and make as many memories as you can. Life will probably catch up at some point and take you off the water for a while, so make the most of the time you\u2019ve got.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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