Our second British Canoeing ambassador competition winner is Jess Huxley from the midlands, below she delves into her love of canoeing!
I’m Jess, a 20-year-old student from the Midlands, currently studying at Aberystwyth university. I work part time and during holidays as an canoe/kayak coach. I first started paddling with my family when I was young, mostly on the River Avon at Stratford. I remember becoming addicted to paddling when I took six of my friends for a taster session on a lake for my 8th birthday, the instructor made us stand in our boats and sing the YMCA which resulted in most of us falling in. It was a brilliant experience and I love giving people the same experience now. I also did plenty of touring and sea kayaking. I think its wonderful to be out in a boat doing something that not everyone does every day and seeing wildlife that would otherwise be hidden. I still get excited every time I paddle with a seal or see a kingfisher darting down the river bank. I joined the Sea Cadet Corps at 16 and had the opportunity to start doing BCU qualifications. I went through the process of gaining my Level 1 Coach alongside my dad which was a fantastic experience! After A-Levels, I decided I needed a break from education and moved out to the UAE for a year to teach kayaking and canoeing to beginners in the sunshine! After a brilliant year I have now started university and been introduced to so many elements of paddle sports, including surf, white water and polo! I have just returned from a trip to Scotland, which included plenty of unintentional swims! However, I have gained a lot of confidence and look forward to pushing my paddling more and continuing my coaching journey over the next year!
My top bits of canoeing kit are:
Follow what I’m up to @jesshuxley
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