Tell us a bit about how you got into paddling?

I got into paddling almost 7 years ago when I was 8 and have been paddling ever since. Now I am mainly a sea kayaker. My first time on the water was doing a 3 day canoe trip down a section of the River Spey with my dad …  in a canoe we had just bought when neither of us had any experience paddling.

What do you love about paddling?

I love the freedom paddling gives you, being able to go wherever you want, to unexplored places that hardly anyone has been to before. I also love being able to see lots of different types of animals and plants that you would never get to see on land. Paddling has also allowed me to meet lots of amazing people who share the same interests as me.

Why did you do the Paddlesport Instructor Course?

I did the paddlesport instructor course as I wanted to get into coaching and leading so I could share my love of the water with others and it was the first step into coaching and also one I was able to do at my age.

What was good about the course?

I think the course was a good experience as it gives you foundation skills for running a coaching session, it was also good to see how other people taught and approached the different activities and games we covered. 

Tell us a bit about any Paddlesport Instructing you have done since?

Since doing the award, unfortunately I have not been able to do as much coaching as I would like but recently I have been helping out at my clubs pool sessions and teaching people what I know alongside other coaches. I think that it has been good to share my experience and give the view of a younger person 

What do you think needs to be done to get more young people to get into instructing?

I think there needs to be more opportunities for young people to assist and help run sessions alongside other coaches to help us to gain more experience.

What are your ambitions moving forwards?

Moving forward I would like to try and get some more experience coaching people of all ages and abilities and once I am old enough I would like to try and get some more coaching and learning awards.