Kamron says:

'My first paddling experience was when I was 8 and we when on a school camp at Lowport Activity Centre. We had done a little bit in all crafts but I knew when I got in a kayak for the first time that it was by far my favourite. If I remember correctly, it was piranha TG lite. I knew as soon as I got in the kayak it was my favourite craft of all. 

I love so many aspects of paddling. By far my favourite reason to paddle is the social aspect of it. I love meeting loads of new people of all ages and all abilities. Another reason I love paddling is to challenge myself and push my limits. This can be both my personal paddling and my teaching skills. There are so many more parts of paddling I love; the feeling of being outdoors, all the amazing opportunities paddling has given me and not to mention all the fantastic people and support networks it has brought me too. There's so many more I could mention! 

After doing that first school camp at Lowport I did as many courses as I could there. Then I found port Edgar watersports. I did quite a few week-long courses there and then I was told about their volunteer program. So, in the summer of 2021 I put myself forward for it and it was amazing! I spent 6 weeks of my summer holidays that year volunteering with them, and it helped me develop my personal kayaking skills and my skills in other craft too. I was about halfway through the season, when one of the instructors talked to me about doing my PSI, and then in September of 2021, I did the course. I think the main thing that inspired me to do my PSI was the increase in opportunities to get out on the water. As well as starting to teach and pass on my skills, and meeting new people and friends. 

I did the course with Adam Burns at Willowgate Activity Centre and it was amazing! Over the 2 days, I learned loads of new games to add to my repertoire, and developed lots of new teaching skills. I think the course as a whole is a really good place for anyone to start their instructing career. 

From the end of 2021- 2022, I have been volunteering with Port Edgar Watersports. I help out whenever I can. All of the instructors are port Edgar are amazing. They have given me so much useful advice and knowledge, giving me feedback on my sessions and guiding me to become a better instructor . At port Edgar, I am focusing on developing my skill set as much as possible while helping others experience and enjoy paddling. This includes learning and shadowing some of the amazing instructors at port Edgar and looking at how they structure sessions/help nervous clients/ demonstrate a skill I also do lots of non-paddle skills development at port Edgar. I find learning a new skill here, like windsurfing, allows me to experience a watersports session from a beginner's point of view, which helps me have patience and understanding when I'm teaching paddling to others. I can also use some of the teaching methods that are used here and apply them to my paddling. Working so closely with people of all ages and abilities has also allowed me to develop skills such as communication and patience. I love instructing all types of people. I love the reward of being able to pass on my skills to others, I especially like instructing disadvantaged young people or just other young people in general, there is something rewarding about being able to pass on my skills and seeing someone develop as a paddler. It shows the success I’ve had in developing my teaching skills. 

I think there needs to be a message sent across that young people can be instructors too, I think the young ambassador program will help a lot with this. I think the best thing to do would be to get the message to young paddlers that they can start their instructor career at the same age as I did at 14, and then work on building their experience and young instructors and gaining other qualifications too. 

I am working towards my flat water kayak coach, doing the under 18 glen core coach training T Glen more lodge in July. After I do that I would like to work toward both my white water kayak coach and my sea kayak coach. I would love to continue to gain qualifications and teaching experiences as well as personal paddling experience . I think the end goal for me would be me being able to work at an outdoor centre, being able to pass on my skills and passion to as many people as I can, while continually developing myself. '