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I finished sixth form last June and with at least a year free from education I knew the first big trip I wanted to take was to Uganda. Over the last few years, it seems that most of the freestyle community has been out to go paddle the warm waters of the white Nile, always coming back with nothing but good things to say about their trips. So Charlie Brackpool, Emma Witherford and I booked flights (slightly last minute I admit) to spend six weeks in this tropical paradise. This was my first experience both of Africa and of surfing...

Every year, Westminster Boating Base, the kayaking and sailing club in the centre of London, decamps for sunny France, in a tradition that started in the late 1980s. The destination is always the ‘Espace Eaux Vive du Pilat Rhodanien’ artificial course just south of Lyon, on the Rhone, in the shadow of Saint Pierre De Boeuf, a small, picturesque village with all the necessary local amenities. Add warm water and sun, and St Pierre, as everyone ends up calling it, makes for a perfect learning environment.

After an early 6am start from home we arrived at the course for about 9am ready to start the briefing. There was a surprisingly large turn out this year with most of the competing as well as many novice’s new to freestyle. We collected our bibs and waited for the heats to be announced. Unfortunately I always seem to get an early heat, this time it was no different! After a relaxed walk back up to the top of the course it approached my heat so hence I got ready into my kayaking kit and started to warm up. The...

What a packed weekendWith everything from Boater X races and King of the Wave to freestyle competitions  and cartwheel challenges, the British and Club Championships is always an awesome event. This year was no exception and with some great prizes to be won, clubs from across the country were out in force. This was also the first year that paddlers could use different boats for different events over the weekend, an opportunity which (thanks to Aaron and Squarerock) I made the most of! Little BoatSince getting my Jackson Kayak Rockstar XS earlier this Summer, I have almost solely paddled it at Lee...