Every kayak club needs a Greenie - offers knowledge, real time, energy and passion to everybody at anytime.
I consider myself to be a born again kayaker after having a 25 year hiatus from paddling. I first met Chris socially as my family were all heavily involved in Croyde Surf lifesaving club and so was Chris and his kids.
During my previous kayaking career, when Reed Chillcheater was not in existence, I was coaching river paddling and then later I was a competitive C1 slalom paddler up until the age of 22, when I retired! I didn’t realise that Reed Chillcheater was even in existence, 3 miles from my house!
During some social engagements, I got to know Chris a little better and he discovered that I had some previous history in the Kayaking world. He invited me on a paddle up the river Torridge, with some of his family and friends, including Granny Jan, his mum. This trip rekindled my love of white-water paddling, and I soon found myself heavily involved with the local canoe club. Chris encouraged me to try sea kayaking, and he even managed to repair an old Eddyline boat, which had been written off, to enable me to get afloat.
I guess you could say the rest is history and over the last 7 years, I have been trading with Go with the Flow Sea Kayaking as a coach and sea kayak guide here in North Devon.
It was Chris who gave me my Mojo back. Before starting paddling again. I’d had a fairly bad accident in the garden, resulting in a badly broken ankle, and my recuperation was long and slow. Surfing, cycling, power kite flying and even running etc were off the list activities I could do and I was definitely at a low point in my life. I will always be indebted to Chris for helping me find my happy place again and my love of kayaking, the sea, coaching people and all the amazing friends and contacts I have made these last 10 years from all corners of the globe.
He has always been very encouraging and supportive with my Sea Kayaking business activities and lately, he’s been a tremendous support during our endeavours with my latest project “Brads Lundy Paddle Challenge.”
During my day-to-day activities, as a coach, advanced Sea leader and guide, there are two Reed Chillcheater products that stand out as my most used pieces of kit:
I always carry in my boat at least 2 or 3 Reed Rip Stop Cag/Coveralls and Transpire Fleece Beanies to keep both me and my clients warm during lunch breaks on remote beaches. I also use them during Sea kayak safety & rescue training to demonstrate what would be the appropriate equipment to carry in your kayak.
So a massive thanks to Chris for being Chris. Keep doing what you do mate, and many congratulations on 25 years of an amazing business.
Greenie
