I’d done a small amount of kayaking in my teens, around 1985. I took a few trips to Chester Weir, which I quite enjoyed, but unfortunately, I didn’t take it any further. A few trips out on a very low Wye whilst in the army put me off for life!
…or so I thought.
Some 33 years later, when Reece was 14 and I was 48, he joined the Air Cadets. One of the instructors there, Darren Bohanna, was a very experienced and enthusiastic kayak coach. He took Reece out along with the other cadets, and they seemed to really enjoy it.
I thought at that point that I’d really like to give it another go. I didn’t realise at that time how much I needed it and what a great benefit it would be, as at that time, I was quietly struggling with my mental health.
I found a local club, Liverpool Canoe Club and decided to join. I searched the Facebook marketplace and found two kayaks I thought might be good for two beginners: a Necky Chronic and a Dagger Infrared. Could I have chosen any less wisely?
My first trip with the club was an Anglesey camping weekend. Reece was climbing with the cadets, and I thought it would be a good idea to go, so off Helen and I went. Introduction required: Helen is my long-suffering wife.
After one or two too many pints in The Paddlers’ Return, I was convinced that paddling Stanley Embankment in the morning would be a good idea. I think I oversold my abilities to everyone who would listen, and I found it to be a rude awakening. I probably don’t need to say much more about that.
We took up every opportunity to get out on rivers on club beginners’ whitewater sessions, led mostly by Dave and Fiona Gentle. They were very encouraging to both Reece and me.
Bren Orton.
We’d been watching videos that Bren had been posting on YouTube, and it’s fair to say we were both in awe of what we were seeing.
We had the opportunity to see a presentation by Bren one evening at TNR Outdoors at Mile End Mill. We travelled over for the evening, and whilst there, I bumped into somebody I knew from the club. I left Reece alone and started chatting to him. Bearing in mind, Reece was a 14-year-old lad who knew nobody there. It was a silly thing to do as I can talk for England.
When I turned around, I saw that Bren was sitting chatting to Reece as he’d noticed he was alone. It’s fair to say I was astonished that such an obviously talented guy would take the time to look out for a young lad. He was just that type of person, I guess.
I was also amazed that, meeting him a year or so later, he’d remembered my name and asked how Reece was getting on.
Bren spoke about his journey and everything that influenced his path, and I was impressed by his honesty, commitment, enthusiasm for the sport, and passion for helping young people develop.
He also spoke about his links to Pyranha Kayaks. I was amazed that such a leading manufacturer was only 10 miles from where we lived, as I’d expected stuff like what they were making to come from the USA.
It was such sad news to hear of his untimely passing, but it was a privilege to be part of the memorial paddle to celebrate his life.
Development.
Early on, I had similar abilities to Reece, but that didn’t last long.
We joined some paddlers from the Slightly Whitewater Facebook group for their Easter Eggstravaganza weekend. I’d previously baulked at running Serpents; honestly, it terrified me. Reece ran it in his newly acquired Pyranha Jed. I had bought a Karnali and thought if Reece could make it look so easy, surely I could do it too!
It went well, and I was glad to have done it. It felt like a big step. After that weekend, Reece developed far quicker than me and basically left me behind.
People that had a major part in our journey.
I’ve been quite lucky in life and have always seemed to find people to encourage and mentor me. I’ve already mentioned Dave and Fiona, who were a great help to us early on.
We were paddling harder grades of water and thought it would be a great idea to take a Whitewater Safety and Rescue course. I saw that Fraser Marr was running one and booked us on.
It was a brilliant course, and we learnt a lot. It was just what we needed, really. We also found a friend and mentor in Fraser. I think he saw the potential in Reece and also saw how keen I was, so he did everything he could to help us along the way.
He had us doing stuff that I never thought I would ever be able to do, including the Etive and Moriston, although I’m yet to make it down Cheesegrater. Fraser really is a great guy and a brilliant coach.
I took my Whitewater Leader assessment in 2020 because it would be great if I could pay forward what people had done for us.
I ran trips for the club and was also very active in organising meets for the Slightly group until recently, when bad health caused me to push pause for a bit.
My favourite paddling times.
After we’d run Town Falls a few times in a group, we developed the confidence to run it together, dad and lad.
Helen used to drop us off at Horseshoe and pick us up at Ponsonby. It felt great to do this alongside Reece.
It also made me feel secure and proud that although I was a reasonable paddler, I had Reece there to pick up the pieces if anything went wrong. Most of the time, there were no incidents, but Serpents has always been my bogey, not Town Falls, thankfully.
I miss those days, but we still occasionally run down to Town together, which I love.
Community.
I love the kayaking community, and I’ve met some amazing people and made some great friends. I’m really glad for the opportunities being on the water gives me to share problems and discuss issues that probably wouldn’t be approached in any other environment. Getting the chance to go to events such as Tryweryn and Dee Fest has been a great chance to meet new paddlers from all around the UK.
Our Boats.
Andrew Butler once told Graham Mackereth that we’d owned all the kayak models Pyranha had produced in the past ten years. This is unlikely but probably quite close to the truth.
Current fleet: 9R, Scorch, Ripper 1, 2 Ozones, and a ReactR.
We’ve also had a 9R 2, 3 Jeds, 2 Burns, and another Ripper. Reece also has a Session Plus.
Andy also said that I spend my time dragging Reece to the rivers, to which Reece responded that he spends his time dragging me and my boat out of the river.
Future goals.
I’m hoping to become a Whitewater Coach, and after my spell of poor health, I’ve recently completed a Whitewater-specific coaching course. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying watching Reece develop as a paddler and member of the community. I’m sure that exciting times and adventures are ahead for both of us.
