Giles Trussell

Name: Giles Trussell

Best known as: Giles

Hometown: Stubbington

Living now: The Cairngorms

Discipline: WW Kayak, Sea and Open Canoe

Class: Zero to Hero, spring tides and following seas

Current boats: Pyranha Machno, Jed, P&H Cetus HV, Wenonah Prospector 15 and 16, Ride Eclipse…

Shaft of choice: Neutral bent shaft

Big volume or tight and technical: Whatever goes.

Favourite paddling spot: Highlands of Scotland for Rivers, Western Scotland and Hebrides for sea kayak.

Why should you be on the Peak PS team?: Lifelong, enthusiastic multi-disciplined commitment to paddlesport introducing and advancing thousands into the sport.

What can you bring to the party?: A big smile.

How did you get into paddling?: First sessions were at Garelochhead Outdoor centre in 1978.

Achievements: Remaining passionate about paddling. British Kayak Quadrathon top ten ranking (not a lot of people know that), sea kayaking around Stewart Island, solo to St Kilda, teaching my daughter to roll both sides aged 11.

What's your paddling goals for 2023? Scottish island circumnavigation or major crossing…surf kayaking big waves…

Do you have any paddlesport qualification? ‘British Canoe Union’ Old School Level 5 in Whitewater Kayak and Sea Kayak, Level 4 Open Canoe.

Best things about paddling: Getting immersed in the environment.

Best boating moment: Reaching St Kilda.

Worst boating moment: Being ill on the Tons River in India.

Any other Hobbies: Many, a lot of Spey fishing at the moment…

Ultimate worldwide destination: Westerns Isles of Scotland

Food: Porridge and Haggis Neaps and Tatties

Drink: Water, Lavazza and Malt Whisky

Music: Scottish Iddly Diddly

Movie: John Wick, 1, 2, 3 and 4

Read: Mountaineering books and any whacky thriller with a twist.