The Global Paddling Community

Fresh Talent is a short series of exclusive Playak interviews with young paddlers that we believe you will hear much more about in the next couple of years.

Emily Jackson – Jackson Kayak

Age: 14
Affiliation: Jackson Kayak
Lives in: Rock Island, Tennessee

How did you get into kayaking?

Through my dad… I never really wanted to be a kayaker growing up, but my dad really wanted me to try it so I did…now I love it!

What’s been the best event / trip this year?

There’ve been so many…Fibark Festival in Colarado. I went as a woman for the first time and got 3rd in prelims which really made me feel confident. There were 26 awesome women competing.

What’s your one favourite thing about the paddling lifestyle?

The fact that you’re always having fun, everybody’s your friend, the travelling…I’ve travelled 48 states. I would love to go Costa Rica since I heard it has great whitewater.

I really like being home schooled, sometimes it gets a little lonely but since I have many friends in kayaking that makes up for it…

In your opinion, who is the best kayaker at the moment and why?

That’s a hard one…personally I would always say my dad, but women – wise, one of my biggest heros has been Nikki Kelly. She’s not afraid to huck it like the boys or run the big waterfalls like some of the boys do. One of the biggest things in kayaking is courage…which is something I sometimes lack…so looking at Kelly really makes me want to do things (kayaking) even though I’m scared.

What do you do when you’re not kayaking?

Most of the time its school, I like to hang out a lot with my friends, I read a lot ….I love the Harry Potter books and the movies…but the books were definitely better!

Where’s your next kayaking trip? / Where to from here?

I’ll be going to team trials in New York…if I make the team then I’m going to go to Australia and then afterward to New Zealand…my dads making a whitewater-running educational video which we’re shooting in New Zealand. I was there in 1999 for Worlds and really looking forward to going back there.

You can never really get bored of kayaking! I’d like to spend the rest of my life in kayaking, even maybe working for my dad…at the moment I’m my dad’s photographer.

Beat Rüttimann - Riot

Age: 20
Affiliation: Riot Kayaks
Lives in: Jonen, Switzerland

How did you get into kayaking?

My father taught me how to build polyester-kayaks when I was a boy. I had my first experience on my home river Reuss, but real whitewater kayaking I leraned during a kayak camp by the "Kanuschule Versam".

What's been the best event / trip this year?

Springtime in Corsica, where we paddled the river Travo at a good water level after heavy rain. The Swiss Open in Bremgarten this year was a great freestyle competition. Obviously Phil Hausamann was cooler than I and all of his runs were perfect. He really deserved the title.

What's your one favourite thing about the paddling lifestyle?

I like to sit togheter with my friends around the campfire, tell stories and laugh about the exaggerated adventures. I can't describe the fascination of the paddling lifestyle - it needs to be survived!

In your opinion, who is the best kayaker at the moment and why?

Steve Fisher because he still creates new moves (eg. Helix). I prefer idols how show difficult moves rather than suicidal drops.

What do you do when you're not kayaking?

I Like skiing, inline skating and mountain biking. During wintertime I'm interested in computers. Right know I'm working on my new website on whitewater sports (wavedevil.com) which should be ready by the end of october.

Where's your next kayaking trip? / Where to from here?

I hope to be able to paticipate at the world championship in Australia and Im all ready looking forward for my paddling trip to New Zealand next year.

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