These guys love the water and love their kayaks. More than that, they are pretty good at what they do, whether it's performing tricks for the crowd, going over the edge of a waterfall, or teaching others how to kayak.
That's why we associate ourselves with them, because they are soulboaters.
OLIVER CASTLE
Website? www.parknplay.com
Age? I am the old age of 22
Location? The beautiful Nene Valley!
Number of years paddling? One more than last year
Current Boat? Riot Orbit
Sponsors? The lovely people from soulboater keep me warm when I am off the water, then Peak UK and Riot keep me warm, dry and smiling on the water, and they all do a good job of looking after me. Thank you!
Music to paddle to? It has to be the music I love to club to really, dark and dirty drum and base to twisted disco. As long as it has got a groove and makes me wanna move it will motivate me when I am in a boat. One problem with canoe events is that there is a real lack of music, which is a shame!
Favourite paddling shop? Hmmm....Hmm, hang on...not sure!!
Most memorable paddling moment? Being in the finals of the Pre Worlds in Graz and the DJ dropping Cosheen just before I entered the hole and the crowd going mad. It was amazing and I probably paddled the ride of my life after that.
Who is your kayaking hero? That’s very hard as there are so many people I respect in boating. But I would have to say Andy (Nice Boy) Nichol who sadly passed away in 2004, a man who Paddled a C1 with such finesse and grace and always had a smile on his face; he was probably one of the best C1 paddlers in the world in slalom and freestyle.
LAURA CROSS
Age? 21
Location? Northampton
Number of years paddling? About 8
Current Boat? Have sold my Kingpin and I'm getting a shiny new Jackson
Sponsors? Kupcake and soulboater
Music to paddle to? Anything fast and happy
Favourite paddling shop? Couldn't possibly comment but DM do sell some nice stuff at good prices!
What got you into paddling? My step-dad has always encouraged me to do various water sports. From the age of 7, he taught me to body board, midwinter in Wales! We then became members of a windsurfing club. I enjoyed that, but after a canoeing taster session, I soon realised that I would like to get serious about it. I immediately joined Northampton Canoe & Kayak Club and became hooked - the people were really welcoming.
What do you hope to do in 2005? I would like to be able to paddle! After breaking my arm back in September, the doctor won’t let me get back in a boat until at least January. It has made me more determined than ever and in 2005, hope to be competing again and travel either to Norway or Canada.
JACKO
Website? www.kayakojacko.com
Age? 36
Location? Maidenhead
Number of years paddling? 21
Current Boat? Robson NRG, Transformer 4, Diesel 65, Perception Blaze 7.1
Sponsors? Nookie, soulboater
Music to paddle to? Music taste changes with my mood - usually The Streets, Pink Floyd, most things on Virgin Radio
Favourite paddling shop? I love them all!
Most memorable paddling moment? I started paddling freestyle with a group of paddlers called the worzels. We all came from the south so the name followed. As time went by we all moved in different directions and although we keep in touch there always seemed to be some reason why we could not all meet. One guy lived in America and the rest were scattered all across Europe and Britain. Finally a few Christmases ago we managed to get out and paddle Hurley again together. It was the business and the old girl gave us our 3 gates and mother nature trumped up with sunshine. What a day.
DEJAN KRAJL
Age? 29
Location? Ljubljana, Slovenia
Number of years paddling? 20
Current Boat? Galasport STITCH, Dagger CRAZY
Sponsors? Sandiline, Galasport, RGL
Music to paddle to? Die Happy
Favourite paddling shop? Alpin Action Trnovo, Bovec
What got you into paddling? Enjoying the nature...
What do you hope to do in 2005? To paddle the best as it is possible...
STEFFI BANK
Age? 17
Location? Wickede, Germany
Number of years paddling? 15
Current Boat? T1,Kendo
Sponsors? soulboater
Music to paddle to? Some ska and "ärzte"(a german punk-band)
Favourite paddling shop? schröer/unna
What got you into paddling? My dad
What do you hope to do in 2005? To compete at the eurocups and win the german-masters again.
LOWRI DAVIES
Age? 20
Location? Wales (Uni in Aberystwyth, home in Ruthin)
Number of years paddling? Paddled since 14
Current Boat? Riot Air45 for play, Riot Turbo 47 for surf and rivers
Sponsors? PeakUK/Riot, Soulboater and Paddleworks
Music to paddle to? Techno, techno, techno, techno
Favourite paddling shop? Paddleworks, Bala
What got you into paddling? My dad
What do you hope to do in 2005? Paddle lots and have fun
TONY DRINNENBERG
Age? 21
Location? Munich, Germany
Current Boat? Dagger Kingpin 6.1 and Wavesport Diesel 65
Sponsors? soulboater
Music to paddle to? Ska, reggae, punk, whatever!
Favourite paddling shop? Gerts-Kanu-Shop and La Ola
Who is your paddling hero? Every paddler is a little hero. I respect anyone who faces his fear, keeps working on himself and tries new stuff, whatever that means for him.... and every female paddler is a special hero for me!
What do you hope to do in 2005? To be out there paddling as much as I can, to paddle safe, to do some teaching and some competitions for sure. Bremgarten is supposed to be a awesome event this year!
MARIA MEJSNAROVA
Age? A well brought-up man doesn’t ask the lady.
Location? In the lovely Czech Republic, Prague
Current Boat? Wave Sport EZG 42, old but forever good Wave Sport Stubby (and I’m looking for a new first class creek boat).
Sponsors? Wave sport helps me with the boat and soulboater supports me with their fine clothes. And great spray deck, jacket and custom made dry top from NoName.
Music to paddle to? U2, Fat boy slim, Vanessa Mae, Metallica or Beethoven, anything really! Of course I like Czech groups like Indy a Witch, Polemic, Jasná páka, Peneri Strýcka Homeboye, Nadoraz etc.
Favourite paddling shop? Number One is Krámek-Vodák sport in Prague (my boyfriend works there :o), Kayak centre on Soia ( Norway) is very cool, Blue and White – LaOla is the best in central Europe.
What do you hope to do in 2005? First of all I must rob some banks to get money for making it all possible. Than I will make a little spring trip for good wine and cheese to Corsica and if I am there I will try some good creeks too. During the season I am planning a good paddling in the Alps and of course I would like to take part in freestyle competitions, here in the Czech Republic and in EuroCup events. After this I will fly for surfing to Fuerteventura (Canary Islands).
Who is your paddling hero? I admire Jutta Kaiser for her freestyle and smiling and also Deb Pinniger for her brutal back loops and river running, I like some men too, but they are not so nice and sexy like we ladies are :o)
ALAN WARD
Age? 17, and legally driving!
Location? High Wycombe
Number of years paddling? Seriously for about seven years
Current Boat? Wavesport ZG48, the best boat in the world!
Sponsors? Robson, Wavesport and soulboater
Music to paddle to? Some R'nB', hip hop, maybe some ska like RBFish
Favourite paddling shop? Got to be Marsport in Reading. Paul, Cherry and Craig are really friendly people and they helped me out with some sponsorship a while ago. Well worth a visit if you're looking for kit.
Where would be your all time great kayaking destination? I think out of all the places I've been, europe is the best, mainly Germany simply because there's loads of water, the people are really nice and there's usually some pretty good weather. (Plattling with its bathwater warm river wide hole)
Favourite paddling spot in the UK? That would have to be Hurley Weir, probably because I believe it's the best wave in the country and I grew up on it!
JAMIE BURBECK
Website? www.openplayboater.co.uk
Age? 21
Location? Stoke Goddington
Number of years paddling? 10, but only 8 in C1
Current Boat? Pyranha Spanish Fly, S6X 195 C1 (although I will be getting a Seven-0 when they are released) and a Meltdown Squirt C1
Sponsors? Soulboater of course, Pyranha, J Garrard and Allen Solicitors, Reed Chillcheater, Spider Paddles, Mobile Adventure and ParknPlay.com
Music to paddle to? Anything with a decent rhythm
Favourite paddling shop? I've had a lot of dealings with Desperate Measures of the years and they've always been reliable, helpful and friendly
Where would be your all-time greatest boating destination? Probably somewhere I haven't been yet. I am hoping to go to Canada to the Ottawa next summer and I am sure that when I hear the stories from Ollie about the White Nile when he gets back, that will be on my list too.
Who is your paddling hero? I have two paddling hero's really, Eli Helbert and James Weir. I admire the fact that Eli won two World titles and really knows what he is doing. I admire the fact that James has been up there at the top of the sport for over five years and the fact that he is so relaxed about everything. James has been unlucky recently and must surely have a world title coming this year perhaps (if I don't win that is). I have been lucky enough to have boated with James and Eli on many occasions and shared some interesting adventures so it will be good to be going up against them both in Australia again.
DARREN BRODERICK
Age? 25
Location? Newcastle
Number of years paddling? 9
Current Boat? Robson Red Fred Twin Tip
Sponsors? soulboater. Not got a boat sponsor at the moment, so all you manufaturers, come on!
Music to paddle to? Chilli Peppers or Funky House
Favourite paddling shop? The mighty Carlisle Canoes!
What do you hope to do in 2005? Planning to go to Uganda in the Summer, so more playboating and try to get on the British C1 freestyle squad. This winter I want to do more creek boating in Scotland and the Lakes.
Who is your paddling hero? I suppose Shaun Baker would be one as video footage of him opened my eyes to this world of kayaking. Sad as it sounds and I'm sure he and everyone else will rib me for this but Ollie has been a big help since I bought my Session off him a couple of years ago.
DOUG COOPER
Age? 20
Location? Princes Risborough, nice and close to Hurley
Number of years paddling? 11
Current Boat? Wavesport ZG 48 and Wavesport EZG 42
Sponsors? Wave sport, soul boater and supported by lotus
Music to paddle to? The Prodigy
Favourite paddling shop? White Water the canoe centre
Most memorable paddling moment? Um, I got two. I spent 16 hours surfing the Yurgans wave on the Sjoa river in Norway. In fact my whole month in Norway was well cool. And the time I took a piss in Scott Simmonds lid just before his rides at selection and then announced it over the mic. He is my best mate!
Who is your kayaking hero? Maybe Deb Pinniger as she has done so much for the sport, and also Cheese as he is a cool bloke and rips the place up.
DENNIS NEWTON
What got you into paddling? Initially I was interested in numerous watersports especially windsurfing, until I went surf kayaking and then I got the bug and kayaking became my main sport.
What do you hope to do in 2005? Lots of boating in new places – just returned from surfing in Morocco at New Year.
What form of paddling do you enjoy most? Free-ride (playing on a river)
Where would be your all time great kayaking destination? Canada (loads of rivers and good snow boarding)
Favourite paddling spot in the UK? River Ure
Most memorable paddling moment? Everyone of 'em
Who is your kayaking hero? Ollie Grau (an excellent coach and an awesome boater) or Shaun Dobby (not famous for anything in particular but a total nutter and always a pleasure to boat with)
AARON LEYTON
Age? 11
Location? Northampton
Number of years paddling? Started paddling in February 2004
Current Boat? Jackson One and a half
Sponsors? Square Rock and soulboater
Music to paddle to? You can't beat some decent punk or rock music, the likes of AC/DC or Iron Maiden
Favourite paddling shop? Tradewinds and Paddlesport
Favourite boating destination? Has to be the Might Nene! I guess because I know the course well, it has given me confidence to really go for lots of moves and tricks, and it’s paid off!
Most memorable paddling moment? Winning pretty much everything I entered at the Mighty Nene Freestyle Competition at the end of September. It was the first competition I entered and I picked up some plates and awards, but also some kit, including a couple of helmets and a Jackson Fun Kayak, so I didn’t do too badly!
CHRIS CHAPMAN
Webiste? www.chris-chapman.co.uk
Age? 28
Location? Northampton
Number of years paddling? 12+
Current Boat? Jackson All Star and Fun 3
Sponsors? Square Rock (Jackson Kayaks and Mountain Surf), Mitchell Blades, Nookie, Lambs to the Water (J3 Helmets), soulboater
Music to paddle to? Anything with a good beat
Favourite paddling shop? Has to be Desperate Measures and Paddlesport.
Most memorable paddling moment? Paddling in the Freestyle Pre-World Championships 2004 in Australia. This was a great chance to meet the best paddlers from around the world & compete with them.
Who is your kayaking hero? EJ (Eric Jackson) has to be one person who has inspired me. It is the way he has been at the top for so long & continues to push the development of the sport. He has now started his own kayak company called ' Jackson Kayaks' & I am paddling for the SquareRock Jackson Kayak Team.
ROMAIN PIGNON
Age? 21
Location? Embrun, French Alps, ten minutes from Rabioux Wave
Number of years paddling? 13
Current Boat? Two Wave Sport boats, a ZG48 and a Diesel 65
Sponsors? Wave Sport, Wonderland, soulboater and Local Paddler
Music to paddle to? Anything full of rhythm and bass!
Favourite paddling shop? Wonderland of course!
What do you hope to do in 2005? I really would like to be more present on French and European freestyle events. Then I will try to use my creekboat more than last year, and make creekboat events as well. My other wish is to start photography.
Favourite UK boating destination? Don't know any yet as I'm located in the French Alps. Gary, the founder of soulboater has said I can crash at his place next year so I can do the Hurley Classic.
CHRIS EVANS
What got you into paddling? I have always had a strange obsession with water, it was a natural progression really.
What do you hope to do in 2005? In 2005 I want to spend more time on a real river and in a big boat (hopefully somewhere sunny and warm).
What form of paddling do you enjoy most? The three aspects of the sport I can't get enough of are river running, freestyle and open boating. But so long as I'm in a boat away from the usual day to day stress then I'm happy.
Where would be your all-time greatest boating destination? As of yet, I'm not sure because I haven’t seen the world yet. My favourite destination so far has to be Austria and Switzerland for the river Inn.
Favourite boating destination? Any where! The UK rules. We have everything from surf beaches to play spots to great rivers. Only problem is they’re normally cold!
Most memorable paddling moment? The most memorable boating moment is either waking up to see an Austrian glacier, or running a friend over in my Kendo on the Dart loop (I was on that seal launch, slide thing and he paddled passed just as I set off. The inevitable happened resulting in a Kendo shaped print in the side of his boat.)
Who is your paddling hero? Several people have influenced me over the years. The first had to be Shaun Baker, it's quite hard not to be influenced by Shaun. He was all over magazines and the TV, for a while people aspired to be just like him. More recently I've been influenced by paddlers that don’t need to brag about where they’ve been and what they’ve done, they just let the paddling speak for itself, a few examples of this include Olli Grau, Alex and Greg Nicks and the Kern brothers.
TEAM ADRENAL
Team Members: Mark Burton, Becky-Lar Armitage, Martin Vollen, Per Christian Pederson, Lars Georg Paulsen, Mathias Fossum.
Website? www.adrenal.no
Age? Mathias is the youngest at 18 and Per is the oldest. I wont say his age but we have to help him in and out of his boat these days!
Location? Norway
Sponsors? We are real lucky to have some fantastic people supporting us. Liquid Logic, Grateful Heads, Kokatat, Sea Specs and of course Soulboater.
Music to paddle to? It's always a rush to get control of the stereo when we get in the van! If we are chilling at a festival a bit of Bob Marley always goes down well and then something heavier and more rocky gets us psyched up to run the s**t!
Where would be your all-time greatest boating destination? For Creeking you can't beat Norway, there are some awesome runs over here and when it gets too cold Uganda is great for freestyle, warm water and cold beer!
Who is your paddling hero? Anybody who is on the water every possible minute kayaking, good or bad, if they are throwing it down and have a smile on their face.
Soulboater Limited : 21 Richardson Way : Raunds : Wellingborough : Northamptonshire : NN9 6RH
© Copyright Soulboater 71