Rob didn’t paddle for twenty five years after first learning with the scouts. Although he’s an outdoors fan and particularly likes cycling and skiing, somehow kayaking passed him by for many a year.In 2005, fancying a different holiday, he booked a sea kayak trip in Turkey and it changed his life. On his return he ‘saw the light’ driving over Bromham Bridge and decided to use the rivers on his doorstep. Pretty soon he was hooked and was doing lots of paddling in lots of different boats (sea, surf, slalom, marathon, playboating in no particular order).Only a year after joining, he was elected Chairman of Viking Kayak Club in Bedford, a club with a long and proud heritage of slalom and marathon racing. Since then the club has expanded and developed and offers loads opportunities for still and white water, recreation and competition, slalom, polo, racing etc etc. check it out at www.vikingkayak.co.uk.

Though he spends too much time administering the club and lobbying for better paddling resources in and around Bedford, he still manages to paddle lots of different boats, and now has six of his own, which every now and then actually see water! He’s also qualified along the way as Level 3 kayak coach.

Rob’s done odd things for charity before like a 24 hour pool marathon (with balls and cues) and a 730 mile solo unsupported cycle trip all the way down France from Le Havre to Marseille.