If you ever get to paddle and or meet Gord, you definitely should. Gord is part of the AQ ambassador team, I don't know if we have met another paddler as stoked as him.
Gord is a very talented and dedicated paddler who loves to travel and connect with paddlers in the community. He is a pleasure to be around and always brings smiles to the groups faces.
Without further adieu, check out our 20 Questions interview with paddler Gord McColl.
1. What is your name and what do you paddle?
My name is Gord McColl and I paddle many different kayaks. Play Boat: Wavesport ProjectX, Full Slice: Dagger Nova, Half Slice: Pyrahna Ripper 1 large and soon to be ripper 2 large. CreekBoat: Pyrahna Scorch Large. Also I own 2 kayak polo carbon boats.
2. Where did you grow up?
My home town is Stettler Alberta. There was once a kayak club there and this is how I got into the sport.
3. How long have you been paddling for and how did you get started?
I started kayaking at the age of 14. So using some simple math I have been kayaking for 25 years. My uncle started kayaking in Jasper Alberta and convinced my dad to try it. My dad joined the club in Stettler and loved it. He talked me into trying it at the weekly pool sessions and I was hooked.
4. What is one thing paddling has brought into your life that you would say has changed for the better?
Paddling has brought passion and community into my life. I am driven by my passion and so thankful for all the people to share it with. Many aspects of my life has changed over the years but kayaking has been a constant.
5. From your perspective, has spending time outdoors and on the river helped you manage your daily challenges in life and why?
Absolutely, the outdoors and being on the river gives me peace. The sound of the water, and breathing the fresh air instantly takes away my stress and worries. Sometimes the challenges presented while running creeks and more technical water require troubleshooting and overcoming challenges. This has given me confidence off the water when confronting some of the daily challenges I am confronted with.
6. If you could paddle only one boat or board for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is easily my Ripper 1. I paddle this boat the most and feel it is an extension of my body. I can surf/play, taily, attain eddies, and run many rivers of varying degrees of difficulty.
7. What is the longest commute you have ever made for a paddling trip?
Most recently I traveled to Aventurec in Telapacoyn, Veracruz Mexico to run the Alsesca.
8. Where is your favorite place to paddle? Or one that isn't top secret?
I love many different rivers to paddle for many different reasons. Some of my favorite rivers close to Calgary include the Upper Sheep, Elbow, Kananaskis, Harvie's Passage. The Kananaskis and Harvie's passage are like the gym to me, these places keep my skills sharp. I paddled the Clearwater and Fraser for the first time last year and am excited to get on them again. My favorite play spot is the Brierlies hole, this is where I spent a good portion of my earlier years playboating.
9. How do you continue to push yourself on the water?
I try to consistently be on the water no matter the time of year, I went 210 days last year. The Kananaskis provides a year round reliable source of flowing water. I have a whole community of talented people who teach and push me. I read about different techniques and watch a lot of paddling videos. I practice these techniques and try to make them better each time.
10. What's the biggest rapid or waterfall that you have run to date?
The Alsesca was the most recent run with the most drops I have run. These ranged from a few feet to 15 feet. The biggest water I have been on is the Fraser and Clearwater rivers. The biggest water I ever ran was when I was much younger, I ran titan falls on the Cataract. I don't know the exact height but it definitely 20ft. I plan to do it again but after practicing on smaller drops and with the right group.
11. What is your craziest on water experience or thing you have seen while paddling?
A long time ago I had a horrible swim on the sheep running triple falls. This caused me to stop whitewater for 6 years. I still paddled in this time but it was strictly kayak polo.
12. Do you train during the off season or participate in any winter sports?
In the winter I weight train, boxing, snowboard, and cross country ski.
13. What and where is your dream paddling trip?
To run the Futa in Chile is my dream. I am hoping to possibly do this next year.
14. Do you or are you involved in and community programs on or off the water?
I am less involved in community programs these days. I try to help the sport while on the water. Helping beginner paddlers with their roll, coaching other kayakers, joining club paddle trips, and using social media to share and create stoke about kayaking.
15. What is the best advice you would give someone who wants to get into paddling?
Firstly I would try an introductory kayak class just to see if this is the sport for you. Then I would join a club and learn the basic stroke, braces, t-rescue, and roll. Understand that this is a personal journey and you will develop at your own pace. The paddling community is great and very welcoming.
16. If you could paddle with anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?
Oh boy!!!! So many to choose from. Eric Jackson, Dane Jackson, Bren Orton, Nouria Newman, Aniol Serrasolses, Ben Marr..... there are probably way more and in no particular order, I am a huge nerd.
17. Is there anything you would change about the sport
Not a thing
18. Over the past few years how have you seen the rivers or lakes change, and what are you doing to try and protect it from an environmental standpoint?
The diseases you can spread from one body of water to another. I try to make an effort to wash my boats before going from one to another.
19. Could you describe the feeling you get when you are on the water?
I feel like my focus is in the moment only. Nothing but that moment matters to me. My kayak and paddle are an extension of my body and the water is full of infinite possibilities to use these extensions.
20. If you could describe the paddling community in a single word, what would that word be?
Family
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
