Scottish Canoe Association. Inaugurated in 1939

Greg Nicks in action Last year Greg Nicks recently won the Mens Advanced K1 at the first Rodeo to be held on Scottish soil (or should that be water?) Our intrepid reported was dispatched to darkest Fife, to catch up with one of Scottish paddling's rising stars, stop him cartwheeling, pin him down, and get a few straight answers!

How long have you been paddling for?

About eleven years now, on and off. Its only since I started Uni over 5 years ago that I've been nailing it hard, boating that is.

What made you get into boating?

I was lucky to have an active canoe club at school, with a really keen and dynamic teacher going by the name of Pete Scott, so that's when I got hooked. My brother, Alex, was a big part as well (he placed highest Brit at the World Freestyle Champs - yes I'm very proud). He used to make me go side surfing in Europas down the local weirs on the Exe in Devon. It was terrible really, today when poeple learn they get started on mean play boats that are ready to go.

How often do you paddle and where?

I usually get out 2-3 times a week .Mostly with all the brothers at Stanley because its so accessible (Graham Norton- are you there?). I try and get out at the weekend to do rivers. Timing is a real problem, 'cos I get limited time off that doesn't always go with the water.

What do you enjoy most/least about paddling?

I hate being on call when its raining (I'm a veterinarian), that burns my bum.What I enjoy most?, well that's not easy to answer because it's all good, playing and hard rapids, travel, new rivers and all the people (or freaks ?) that it attracts.

What is the best experience you have had boating?

Probably my first day down the Zambezi. This was a re-education in boating physics. Pretty cool!

What is the worst experience you have had boating?

Probably the time I froze on the Upper Roy one winter. I lost the feeling in my feet, and I ran the shuttle from Roybridge to the top of the gorge. The feeling having returned to my feet, I discovered two massive blood blisters about the size of eggs on the balls of both feet. I got new wetsuit boots after that I can tell you.

What is your favourite piece of paddling kit?

My old wetsuit with the hole in the arse. It's my trademark. But really my Kogg dry trousers have to rate highly, they are very warm and give my granny piece of mind in the winter.

What is your favorite playspot/river trip?

I rate a certain spot not a million miles from Oban very highly. I just got the Necky Zip which is reputed to be a rather flash wave boat so can't wait to get it down there. For rivers, the Orchy on a good flow has to be up there. I know it's been done before lots but what other river has a mind blowing class five followed by an awesome hole to beast yourself above the get out?

Do you have any paddling ambitions?

Stay healthy and boat lots. Boating abroad again is on the agenda: Nepal, NZ and South America and the States, everywhere really! As far as stuff closer to home, I'm trying to sort out a new squirt boat at the moment, so I can't wait to get back into squirting again. I'd love to do more rodeos but going down south is a bit of a drag.

What advice would you give to someone looking to improve their paddling skills?

Buy a really flash helmet (joking) or insult your girlfriend lots cos you'll have more time for boating when you're dumped (definitely joking). For the gnarly stuff boat clean or walk tall. I find flatwater stuff is very good for technique, assuming you can find a squirt boat or one of these new plastic slicey jobs. Being able to eliminate the moving water variable helps you suss what your body does to the boat and vice versa. Looking upstream at the green water coming at you always has to be good advice, make like a ballerina's head, now my imagination is running wild.......