Bells Sports Centre, Perth
25th-26th October 2008
As well as all the usual manufacturer and retail stands, new on-the-water sessions, Saturday evening Ceilidh and the SCA AGM, Presentation and Workshops are a major attraction at the annual Paddle event. The Presentations take place in a dedicated separate hall and the workshops will enjoy a larger space with seating.
This year Speakers and Workshop leaders include:
Brian Wilson – highland-based writer and environmentalist, best known for his adventure travel writing and in particular Blazing Paddles and Dances with Waves. Brian also writes a monthly column for Ocean Paddler magazine. Brian’s talk has something for everyone: “Tall Tales from Short Boats - featuring adventures, misadventures and great escapes - touching on solo expeditions, family trips, folding boats and kayak-sailing”. Brian will be available for book signing throughout the weekend.
Dave Manby – In 1976 Dave Manby was one of the 6 paddlers who drove from the UK to Kathmandu in a Ford Transit and then hiking the 180 miles to Everest Base Camp to paddle the Dudh Kosi. Mike Jones led the expedition through sheer force of character and charisma and the team paddled some of the hardest white water tackled to date. Dave Manby has remained at the cutting edge of expedition kayaking for the best part of a quarter a century. Dave will talk about this trip as well as more recent exploits including his expedition to Iran.
Justine Curgenven - award winning adventure filmmaker, expedition sea kayaker and creator of the films/DVD’s "This is the Sea 1, 2, 3 and 4". Justine has been on challenging expeditions around the globe, including circumnavigating the south island of New Zealand, Tasmania and the Queen Charlotte islands, a solo trip around Iceland's West Fjords, a crossing of the Bass Strait and a wilderness journey in Kamchatka with a novice Russian kayaker. Her adventure documentaries have been shown on the BBC and National Geographic Channel.
Nathan Eades – virtually born in a kayak and since then Nathan has devoted his life to surf kayak expeditions. He has literally surfed his way round the world, making the best use of the choicest waves on offer. Nathan will talk about and graphically illustrate his most recent expedition and adventure - Surf Kayaking in Morocco
Douglas Wilcox – back by huge demand to share his paddling exploits and the amazing photographs he captures along the way. An extended session is planned with a separate Q&A for you to put your specific technical questions to Douglas
Liz Bell - has kayaked for over 10 years and is a Pyranha sponsored paddler - competing for GB in freestyle and then found a love of creeking. Liz has paddled in north and south America, New Zealand, Asia, Uganda, Norway, most of Europe and of course Scotland. After suffering a shoulder dislocation and other injuries Liz trained as a physiotherapist in order to know how to fix them. She lives in Norway in the heart of kayaking and skiing country. So whether you are wanting to optimise your performance on the water or simply hoping not to aggravate recurring injuries don’t miss this workshop.
Andy Kirkpatrick - it is said, “makes Ray Mears look like Paris Hilton”. As one of the UK's top mountaineers, he has pushed himself on some of the hardest walls and faces in the Alps and beyond. He only started kayaking last year and will share some funny insights of a novice sea kayaker in “Upside Down – a beginner’s view of sea kayaking”… smashed by waves around Cape Wrath and exploring along the Swedish Archipelago whilst dreaming of rounding the Horn.
Sean Gallagher – an Alaskan native with a deep interest in the history, culture, manufacture and function of traditional King Island kayaks. We are really fortunate that Sean is going to be in Scotland in October and has agreed to run a workshop with Bill Samson on these traditional kayaks and their place in his culture.
Bill Samson - whose passion is making accurate replicas of Greenlandic, Alaskan and Aleutian skin-on-frame kayaks. Bill is a retired astronomer and active member of Tayside Sea Kayak Club
Jed Yarnold – Jed is a keen and experienced outdoorsman, coach and wilderness canoeist and has led and taken part in expeditions in Canada, America, Europe and S E Asia. He has an avid enthusiasm for traditional ‘low tech’ skills and his workshop on Tarpology – the secret art of using a Tarp is sure to demonstrate both his philosophy and skills
Fred Belcher – a recent (in relative terms) convert to open boating having taken up paddling to fill the time available between ice and rock climbing. At the age of 75, Fred’s committed to everyone having a go – whatever their age. His talk “Never too old to learn something new” underlines this philosophy.
Paul Chapman – an expert in fitting out open canoes, Paul will run a workshop looking at how to go about fitting out your own craft. With plenty of innovative ideas and all Paul’s experience this is sure to be very popular workshop.
Richard Turner (aka Biscuit) – we’ve set Biscuit the challenge of roaming the trade stands on Saturday morning to identify his pick of what is on offer – whether new gadgets, labour saving devices, reworked trusted favourite tools. Be sure to attend his workshop to make sure you don’t miss the pick of the stands.
Barney Wainwright – ever wondered why Britain (and in particular Scottish athletes within the Team GB) punch above their weight when it comes to winning Olympic medals in Canoe Slalom and Sprint Racing? Barney is the Sport Science Manager at GB World Class Canoeing and will run a workshop on Forward Paddling.