I started the business in August 1968. Undertaking work in joinery cabinet making and shopfitting, also there was a small demand for veneer boat and paddle repairs, leading me into work in canoeing. In 1969 Mike Clark of Canoeing Magazine suggested I make slalom paddles and within two years I had a range of paddles. Models such as Ace, Triton, Champion and Leda all slalom blades and Regal, Ardor and Impact in racing. Over the next few years we made thousands of paddles, and exported around the world to Australia, USA, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Holland and Belgium. In 1980 we started making wooden seats and fittings for racing kayaks.

In recent years concentrating on these items along with specials for the trade.

Born in 1947, I had my first trip in a kayak when I was five years old, a canvas boat. Next my brother built a PBK canvas single which I used. In 1960 a friend had a Klepper folding double kayak which we used all summer long.

I started kayak and canoe racing in 1961, and still paddle and race today. I achieved senior K2 honours in marathon, but only at club international level in sprint. At one time I was the only competitive paddler left at Royal Canoe Club, and got drawn into instructing and enjoyed it. Coaching soon became more important than my own competing.

Coaching beginners through to Olympic level, as groups or one to one. Junior Worlds team manager 1973, Junior Worlds boys' team coach 73, 75, 77, Junior Worlds girls' team coach 73, 81, manager / coach for eight International club regatta's.

Member of the Racing Committee for much of the 70s, including committee treasurer, selector for Internationals and Olympics. Regatta organiser, and starter for ten years, Royal Canoe Club Commodore. Lectured at coach seminars, courses and training weekends.

My coaching success has grown with experience, first of all building a club system then motivating youngsters. Most of my coached paddlers have made it to junior or senior world teams. To name a few Jonathan West, David Lawrence, Eric Farrell, Trevor Hunter, Grayson Bourne, Chris Canham, Debbie Watson, all but West making junior teams. Juniors have to achieve the highest standard to be in with a chance, in 1973 Eric Farrell was our third fastest K1, and with Trevor Hunter was the second fastest K2 but still didn't make the final at the worlds. In 1975 the pairing of Farrell / Lawrence had senior success taking 1st & 2nd places in an International regatta.

My most successful junior was Grayson Bourne in 1977 being the first boy to make a final, achieving 6th place only 4 tenths of a second behind a medal, then going on to be the first Brit in an Olympic final.

More recently in helping my own son to start racing, from getting into a racing boat to under a two minute 500m, in 15 months. I have always been keen to add to my knowledge and understanding of the whole athlete. Imre Kemecsey method of communicating technique has been very interesting, and I now use many of his phrases and circles when helping our youngsters at Elmbridge canoe club were I help in the summer.