Your Coach- Caron Geal

How long have you been paddling?- I started paddling with a small group of club paddlers about 17 years ago who were very keen on throwing me down anything that moved.

Favourite paddling destination? - Norway!!!! What an amazing place. Love the people, the wilderness, the isolation; the rivers are just out of this world. You can pretty well pick any type of river and find the best quality at that grade or style.

Where else have you paddled? - Austria, Bavaria, Germany, France, Switzerland, Slovenia, Norway, Italy, Ecuador, Costa Rica, New Zealand.

How long have you been coaching? - I started coaching quite early on with my own canoe club. I was interested in coaching on white water and just gradually progressed until I was suddenly in North Wales about 10 years ago being assessed for my level 5.

Where have you coached? - I coached mainly in North Wales at various centres including Plas-Y-Brenin and Canolfan Tryweryn, I dabbled in raft guiding too. A friend of mine suggested I try working in Norway. So in 2002, I secured a post at the Sjoa Kajakksenteret in Heidal. Over the years I have had the honour of coaching some amazing people. I have also worked with some amazing people in Norway too. I coached the Norwegian Eco-Challenge team, and was involved in the Norwegian TV program '70 degrees North' coaching the contestants .In an effort to get my teaching career started I took a break from coaching in Norway, but I still return regularly to see and paddle with my wonderful friends I have over there.

Favourite boats/manufacturer? - I have tried most boats out there and always returned to Pyranha. I have paddled the Burn since it was launched. I am sponsored by Pyranha and have just started paddling the Karnali- loving it.

Apart from white water, what else interests you? - I did paddle Slalom for a while about 100 years ago. That did wonders for my paddling technique. Threading a 4 metre boat through gates at warp speed is very satisfying. Freestyle was also a major obsession of mine many years ago. When the Pyranha Acrobat 300 first appeared on the scene and I saw paddlers playboating, I was hooked. I just could not get enough of carwheeling and stern squirting and Pirouettes...all those old school moves where cutting edge back then. Must confess that I no longer playboat, think I O.D on it. I still enjoy watching good freestyle paddlers ripping it up though.
Open boating is also a past time for me. I have introduced some of my non paddling friends to it and it does appeal to the less extreme types. A hot sunny day floating on a serene lake or fjord, doing a spot of fishing does take some beating. A friend who is a very good sea paddler took me down the Bitches area in a sea kayak, after that experience I take my hat off to sea paddlers. In Norway I was introduced to fishing, and yep, love it!