Welcome to our new Paddlesports Instructor, Matt Haydock

Our new Paddlesports Instructor Matt Haydock joined us at Glenmore Lodge earlier this month. Matt is a well known and familiar face to many and has worked for many years on Glenmore Lodge courses as a Freelance Instructor. In this article we’ve asked him a few questions about paddlesports and being an instructor.

How did you get into paddling? 

On Wednesday afternoons at secondary school, there was an option to go river kayaking instead of playing football, rugby or cricket.  I wasn’t totally sure what river kayaking involved, but knew I didn’t want to play those team sports!  I was lucky enough to have a teacher who was really keen on his white-water kayaking and coaching, so we got to spend a lot of time on the Grade 2/3 River Irwell at Burrs Country Park in Greater Manchester, where I am originally from.  Despite plenty of initial swimming of course, I was pretty much hooked instantly!  The first session that I managed to rescue my teacher, I realised I was getting pretty good at it – and from there, I’ve never looked back. 

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What makes you love paddlesports? 

I love paddlesports because of all the different connections it can offer, and the huge amount of variety available.  It allows for connections with wild places, like exploring a remote stretch of coastline you can only access by sea kayak or SUP.  You can connect with the environment in a special way from a boat or board – seeing flora, fauna and landscapes from a unique perspective.  It allows for connections with others – there is a fantastic feeling to be gained from descending a challenging section of white water as a team, and working as a close group to challenge and support each other, and keep each other psyched.  It allows for connection with learning and achievement, developing a skill and reaching a new level of performance you didn’t think was possible.  You can choose to have a high octane, adrenaline fuelled experience, or a mellow social paddle.  The huge variety of craft available is also what excites me hugely.  Paddling just has it all! 

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Tell us a bit about how you came to be a Paddlesports Instructor 

After an outdoor education residential in the Lake District at school, we had sessions led by a great team of instructors, who just seemed so cool!  I decided pretty quickly I wanted to be like them as well, and that a career in the outdoors was for me.  This led to a trainee scheme in the Lakes, and onto University in Leeds to study Sport and Exercise Science (but a lot of that time was spent with the uni paddling club!).  I became qualified and experienced in a whole range of outdoor activities, including rock climbing, sailing and winter mountaineering – and for many years worked at a variety of outdoor centres and schools.  Over the last few years though, I realised on the water was where I am truly happiest.  Helping people achieve their paddling goals is what truly fires me up, and so I’ve dedicated my career now to paddlesports coaching and guiding, and properly love it! 

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What do you like most about being an Instructor? 

The opportunity to be on the water sharing my own passion day-in-day-out, inspiring others and helping them achieve their goals.  To do this job, you have to enjoy working with people – and I really enjoy striving to understand what makes people tick, working together with them to achieve something, and the buzz you get when someone “gets it.”  It’s often so much more than “just paddling” to the people I work with, and I enjoy creating a quality experience for them which is meaningful to them as an individual. 

The places you get to go as an instructor can be incredible, and as the saying goes, “I love it when a plan comes together!”  Being faced with challenges – changeable weather, difficult conditions etc. – and overcoming them with your team is really fulfilling. 

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Do you have any favourite paddling locations, or tell us about one or 2 if there are too many! 

Tough question!  The River Findhorn in the middle of Autumn is pretty special – the quality of the whitewater when levels are good, and the stunning autumnal colours are unreal.  The Soca in Slovenia for it’s crystal clear water, culture, people and scenery is also up there too.  The Pentland Firth is also a very special place for me – the raw power of the tides and the towering cliffs always provides memorable experiences. 

In 3 words, describe yourself! 

Short, (often) damp, calming 

Favourite junk food! 

Those that know me well, know I’m an athlete through and through, so would avoid fast food.  But don’t ask them if you see them! 

Matt Haydock has joined the Glenmore Lodge team this August and will be heading up our white water paddlesports courses. Matt is passionate and dedicated multi-discipline paddler, coach and guide; as well as being a highly experienced coach educator and British Canoeing award course provider and national trainer.  He loves nothing more than being on the water, whether that’s having his own adventures, or supporting others to achieve their paddling goals