By Peter Tranter

‘Lucky seven’

When we started this venture off in September 2012, we were all very excited but at the same time couldn’t dare to think that we would still be around a whole seven years later. However, it’s not just that we are around but that we are here stronger than ever and we only have you to thank for that.

People often ask me, “Which has been your favourite article?” and in truth it’s like singling out your favourite child – it can’t be done.

However, one type of feature I always love to put together are the interviews and we’ve had many of those over the years from world champions to Olympic medallists and world-class paddlers of every persuasion and discipline. Many of the questions similar but it’s fascinating to see the difference in answers.

Sal Montgomery

In this issue we have one of the smallest and bravest of all white water paddlers, Sal Montgomery. Sal has recently been brought to more prominence outside of the paddling community by appearing in the ‘The last unrun river in Bhutan’ documentary on Dave TV with Steve Backshall. I’ve been struck on how many non-paddlers were amazed by the bravery of the team and most of all by Sal, who undertook the role of lead paddler on the river for others to follow and who played a huge part in managing to rescue Steve from a very sticky situation.

Darren Clarkson-King

Steve Backshall first approached Darren Clarkson-King on the idea of the documentary, knowing that he was more than likely the world’s foremost paddling expert on the region, so naturally we managed to rope in Daz for a few questions as well.

All in all it all adds up to a fascinating insight into the minds and bravery of those right on the foremost white knuckle edge of our sport.

This being our 49th issue means that we’ve had the pleasure and time to cement some really rewarding working relationships with some of the best paddlers in the business.

Tom Parker

Corran Addison, Chris Brain, Andy Grimes, Richard Harpham, Mike Shaw and Moulton Avery to name a few, have and still do regularly contribute coaching articles and now we have Tom Parker, with his take on the human factor in white water paddling and how it affects judgement. Welcome onboard Tom – your advice is invaluable.

Ray Goodwin

Speaking of regulars and away from white water, we have a couple of gems from two canoeists who know more about the Yukon and wild camping than most. In the last issue we held an interview with Ray Goodwin, naming him as the ‘Godfather of British canoeing’ after he collected his MBE from Buckingham Palace. As those who know Ray are only too aware, he is a difficult man to pin down. However, we’ve struck a chord with Ray over the past year with our Ray Goodwin series and this time we follow his exploits in the Yukon.

Richard Harpham

The Yukon is a river we’ve also highlighted with Richard Harpham and his many involvements with the mighty 440-mile Yukon River Quest race. To undertake that race amid Canada’s vast wilderness, it would be an advantage to know something about bushcraft and that’s exactly what Richard highlights in his ABC feature. Big congrats to Richard on becoming a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society.

Dimitri Vandepoele

Dimitri Vandepoele is a well-known Belgian sea kayaker sponsored by P&H and Typhoon International, who knows a thing or two about coaching. He gave us a glimpse into his Croatian Sea Kayak Training Camp and the methods he employs to teach beginners to the discipline. Those lessons then allow sea kayakers to push their boundaries into stunning adventures such as Greenland – the land of icebergs. Adriana Eyzaguirre leads the way and give us the lowdown on how she prepares paddlers for the rigours of the Arctic environment.

Adriana Eyzaguirre & Traci Lynn-Martin

Adriana will be running more trips to Greenland in 2020, a year in which Traci Lynn-Martin is also hoping to leave her mark by completing an expedition to paddle all five of the Great Lakes in less than one year. She had to abandon her previous attempt in 2017 after3,500 miles because of frozen water. Traci’s experiences though, have given us two good features on the hidden gems that she found on her travels.

Liam Kirkham

Liam Kirkham also returns, not with his usual white water kayaking but with a story on stand up paddling and his reasons for choosing the Lower Kali Gandaki, Nepal, for his first attempt at white water SUP with his pal, Rich – an interesting read.

Phil Bulkeley and Guy Dresser

Last but not least a big welcome to first time contributors Phil Bulkeley, a fine photographer and Guy Dresser who works for the World Paddle Awards amongst his many occupations, I’m sure there will be plenty more to come.

Thanks

Thanks to all you fantastic paddlers for providing us with your beautiful, insightful stories with stunning photography – wherever you may be, please keep paddling and sharing. Finally, a huge thanks to all of our advertisers, subscribers, readers and British Canoeing, without whose support and encouragement we wouldn’t be able to publish. Here’s to the next seven years.

Thank you.