Author: Misha

Name? Alex  (15) How long have you been a club member? 4 years  Where do you stay? Milngavie  What made you start kayaking or canoeing? My dad What do you enjoy about the sport? It's challenging  Where all have you been kayaking? Loch Lomond, Loch Ard, Lake of Menteith, River Tay, and near Bergen in Norway What’s been your favorite trip so far and why? River Tay Have trips gone to plan? Yes What is your most memorable “oh shit” moment? Capsizing in huge whitewater on the Tay What’s the one kayak skill you’d like to learn? Tail slicing and play-boating  What’s been the most challenging trip you’ve been on? River Tay...

Name? Geoff Nisbet (30) Where do you stay?  Crieff What made you start kayaking/canoeing?  A group of us got an "introduction to sea kayaking" gift voucher experience for a day on Loch Lomond. I was hooked instantly and knew it was for me. A few weeks later I found a sea kayak for sale on Gumtree and I haven't looked back since.  My dad, Danny, followed suit and bought a kayak at the same time. We initially paddled mainly on Loch Lomond and then dabbled with a few saltwater lochs. The best thing we did was join DCKC where we developed our skills and have been fortunate enough to go on so many incredible trips.  What do you enjoy about the sport? I love the adventure. I like loading my kayak with all my supplies and heading off on a journey where you can reach and explore places that otherwise wouldn't be possible. Is it different to what you expected? Not really – I have always enjoyed sports such...

Name?Janice Gow How long have you been a member of the club?Goodness , I've been a club member for 17 years! Where do you stay?I stay in Scotstoun. What made you start kayaking or canoeing?I was with my son who came along to club nights in the old Playdrome when he was 9yrs. We went to a Mince Pie Paddle and I couldn't paddle at all. I ended up in an open canoe with Sandy, who said, ' aye you're no much good at this either '. And I have never let him forget that!  What do you enjoy about the sport?I love getting to see beautiful places and kayaking allows us to visit so many of them. I enjoy challenging trips too, much more since I've improved my skills. Is it different to what you expected?I think DCKC is a very special club. I have had wonderful training within the club. Been on amazing trips. I have loved it since I joined. I have made...

Name?Matt Mears (39) How long have you been a club member?Club member 4 years Where do you stay ? I live in Renfrew What made you start kayaking or canoeing?Started kayaking as a different way of  seeing countries whilst travelling  What do you enjoy about the sport?I enjoy the places/cultures you get to see from being on a river and the mental side of the sport e.g overcoming nervousness by attempting a rapid/river you were initially apprehensive about and the feeling of accomplishment from doing it.  Is it different to what you expected?I  didn't realise how much you had to keep your skills current when paddling. You can't just take months off then expect to step back into it at the same level you were paddling before  Where all have you been kayaking?I have kayaked in UK, Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia What’s been your favorite trip so far and why?Favourite trip would be kayaking the Kali Sarda on the border of Nepal and...

Name?Celia Gray How long have you been a club member?I’ve been a member of the club for around 6 years Where do you stay?I live in Strathaven South Lanarkshire What made you start kayaking or canoeing?My first time in a sea kayak was when I was cycling to Applecross and had a half day's introduction to sea kayaking. I loved it and was instantly hooked! I love being able to access areas with my kayak that you couldn’t get to normally i.e. caves, and small secluded beaches. I also love the wildlife having had amazing opportunities to see sea eagles, shear waters, dolphins, minkie whale, otters and more recently I seen an Orca up close! What do you enjoy about the sport?Kayaking can offer very different experiences. One minute you can be paddling along enjoying the view, the next being tossed around on a confused sea. The challenges it brings are immense and always keep you alert and...

NameStewart Rattray (38) How long have you been a club member 2 years Where do you stay ? East Dunbartonshire What made you start kayaking or canoeing? So I’m a returnee to kayaking and canoeing … I came back to it after a long time away.  We had kayaks and canoes and sailing dinghies as kids - my father was a keen boater but I stopped ~17/18. I came back to kayaking in the autumn of Covid during the periods of limited movement simply because it was one of the few things we were still allowed to do. I was very lucky to get landed with Sandy Johnston as a coach who quickly put me to work (there was a LOT of work to do!). It went from there. What do you enjoy about the sport? I like to be challenged and I need some excitement to get my kicks. Whitewater paddling gives me that.  Big & scary or sedate & calm .. you make Kayaking into whatever...

Andrew enjoying some evening sunshine on DCKC's 'Introduction to Expeditioning' trip to Lismore Name Andrew MacColl, 53 Where do you stay? Denny What made you start kayaking/ Canoeing? After a kayak excursion in Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam, realising that it would be good way of interacting with Scottish lochs rather than just driving past them. What do you enjoy about the sport? Getting to see places in a more connected, up close and personal way. Is it different to what you expected?! It pushes me beyond my comfort zone. In the words of Dr. Seuss: “When something bad happens [Stonehaven] you have three choices: you can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.” Where all have you been kayaking? All over Scotland including Barra, St Kilda, Skye and Orkney. And further afield including Anglesey, Northern Ireland, Croatia, Sardinia, Fuerteventura, Greece, British Columbia, the Galapagos and Antarctica. What's been your favourite trip so far? British Columbia because it was during orca and humpback whale...