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Kayaking pair paddling their way to extreme fun - see them in death-defying action
IAN and James Stopford, from Pye Nest, Halifax, represent Halifax Canoe Club at Kayaking.
The pair, are Ryburn Valley High School pupils. Ian, 16, and James, 13, have lived in Halifax all their lives.
Here, they answer a few questions on their sport.
How did you get into Kayaking?
IT all started in a swimming pool in Elland with the Halifax Canoe Club after our dad was going on about us watching too much TV in the evening.
He said there was more to life - how many times do you here your parents say this. Anyway we whinged and moaned all the way to the pool and since joining the Halifax Canoe Club we have not looked back. From the start it was scary, we had to do a capsize drill, hold our breath, go upside down, pull off the deck and get out of the boat, before we could paddle around. With the support of our family plus the many coaches and paddling friends we have met along the way we are now regularly paddling bigger and scarier waters where the consequence is death - no joking. It is weird to paddle rivers where people have died doing what they love. My dad always jokes that the easiest way to die is to be chewing gum when paddling as it features in 101 ways to die when paddling.
Honestly, who reads a book like that?
How long have you been doing it?
We have been paddling for nine years and have been with Halifax Canoe Club all that time.
Are there any bad things about it? Have you ever been injured etc?
Yes, we have both had near-death experiences by drowning, spinal compression etc, by not listening to our dad. However he is always near watching out for us. Shame he is a rubbish paddler....only joking.
What have you experienced doing the sport?
We are members of the British Canoe Union. We paddle at and represent the Halifax Canoe Club, based in Sowerby Bridge, at national and local events.
We are currently qualified to 4star Kayak and 2star Canoe out of 5 Stars available. However, our age stops us going further. Health and safety laws are so restrictive. In addition, Ian is cadet coach for the Halifax Canoe Club
We are currently the highest-ranking freestyle paddlers at the club, and that includes the adults.
We have paddled in national competitions for slalom (boring to us but unfortunately important to paddling skills) and UK Youth Freestyle Competition (the cool sport of paddling, similar outlook to surfing, skateboarding etc.)
The biggest/most dangerous river paddled is the River Etive in Scotland - 4.5 miles of rapids/drops with a 35ft Waterfall. It's mad and dangerous but with a good team of paddlers with mutual respect it was easy.
The river paddled furthest from home is the River Soca, in Slovenia, two and half days to get there in a VW Campervan. Obviously we are a close family.
What do you love about it?
You travel, go on trips away with club members and try different outdoor sports too.
You play with danger, you're always one paddle stroke away from death, even on flat water.
You meet loads of people some great, ie Shaun Baker, the guy from Top Gear with a Jet Kayak, and some not so great. You know, "all the gear and no idea" types.
You are at the centre of club life if you get involved and it's great to feel you belong.
You can help others by coaching, helping in the community and being generally a good person. You feel a part of something bigger.
The biggest reason is it is FUN FUN FUN and extreme.
Do you see a future in it?
We would like to travel more, run bigger rivers all over the world and experience the great outdoors.
What do your mum and dad think about it?
We would like to thank them for the opportunities and, to coin a phrase my dad uses a lot with us, "live life with as little regret as possible"
What are your ambitions?
To be the best we can.
And Finally.....
If your reading this you know what to do, go find something that interests you, practice hard, play hard and work hard and then you too can "Go For It!"
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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