As in past years, I’ve made a donation in place of your christmas card. Similar to last year, this year £25 has gone to Scottish Mountain Rescue (http://www.mrcofs.org/).

Another good paddling year. Some crazy water levels at the start of the year reminded us that the UK still has world class kayaking:

I’ve paddled all over the UK again this year, including spending time in a tandem kayak showing Phil, Claire and Jen the wonders of my sport:

My summer break to the French Alps (more paddling, sigh) was great fun, some of the best paddling I’ve done on a personal level, and some amazing locations. We spent a day paddling the Verdon Grand Canyon, which was truly amazing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdon_Gorge

(Thanks to Rhi and Dave for these photos)

Next year takes me to Ecuador in February where I’ve been inspired, and hope to do this sort of thing:

Plans are also underway for paddling in Italy in about May.

I’ve continued mountain biking, and despite 2 big crashes I think I’ve been slowly improving.

Only last month I was talked into trying fire POI:

and lastly I had a go at Aikido late in the year, and hope to do more next year.

Work has progressed well. While I’ve spent most of the year in the UK, I’ve had trips to Ireland and Geneva, and I’m now dabbling in other areas of the business including supporting our sales team and filling in for our trainer on occasion.

Next year looks like starting with a bang, as there is talk of Qatar in January.

Wishing all the best for Christmas and the New Year!

Martin

With Phil in the front and his first taste of kayak surfing, we stuck to the small stuff.

After getting rid of the dead weight in the front, I raced out the back for the bigger stuff.

https://picasaweb.google.com/martin.linford/20110724BlythSurfPhil

Entered the Boater X. 3rd in my heat – 2 go through. So close!

Ingleton Falls from Martin Linford on Vimeo.

Burrs in a Duo on the Sunday

Busy, busy!

Friday we chalked up the Etive and Alt a’ Chorrain, then blasted down the Spean Gorge just before dark.

Saturday saw us on a serious no faff Scotland road trip, taking in the Meig and Findhorn gorges before escaping across the border back to Newcastle.

No photos. No faff!

http://ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=47434&sid=2e01e1663a342ef92c67045968e08ead#p492487

Finshed up Alps 2010 with the following runs:

Inn  (Giarsun Gorge)

Inn (Schouls Gorge)

Venter Ache

Inn (Imst Gorge)

OMG! What a difference. I feel like the fresher in the group and am so far out of my comfort zone it’s unnerving.

26th – River Inn, Pfunds section for the beginnners. Then Tosens section for the inters. Took the Duo with Ben from Lancaster, and even managed to roll it . Finished the evening on the Rosanna, Wolfs Gorge, claiming our 3rd boat (Rob Beaumont) and a helmet.

We started on the Romanche, moved on to the Bonne, and finished the day on my personal favourite river, the Veneon.

It’s days like this that I paddle for!

Back on to the Guisane, mostly as safety for a few Lancaster students who where a bit short on boat time.

A quick blast through the village above the Upper section before, and a run down the Lower after.

First bit of boat fixing, in this case Raffiki’s Sniper: