Name:  Matt Haydock

Hometown: Bolton, Peter Kay Country

Living now: Aviemore, Cairngorms

Discipline: Antyhing that floats – except probably Coracle, not sure about that!

Current boats:  Too many – I’m a bit of a hoarder.  A trailer of nearly 20 that I hide somewhere.

Shaft of choice: Werner Odachi or Endless River Phantom

Big volume or tight and technical: I think you have to like tight and technical if you live in the Highlands!

Favourite paddling spot:  River Findhorn in autumn with the sublime colours, or a holiday in the sun on the Noguera Pallaresa in the Spanish Pyrenees  

How did you get into paddling?: There was an option to go kayaking on the River Irwell at Burrs Country Park instead of playing football or rugby.  I didn’t know what kayaking was, but knew I didn’t like football or rugby!

Achievements: 

What's your paddling goals?  An ongoing goal is to paddle to all or some of the Atlantic Outliers – Flannan Isles, Sula Sgeir, St. Kilda and North Rona, or, paddle from John o’ Groats to Muckle Flugga 

Do you have any paddlesport qualification? British Canoeing: Completed it, Mate.

Best things about paddling: Connection with wild places.

Best boating moment: Crossing the Pentland Firth on Springs with one of my closest friends – the ultimate feeling when a plan comes together.

Worst boating moment: Losing my boat and a pretty grim swim on the Romanche in spate, after driving through the night from Calais. 

Any other Hobbies: Geeking out and writing essays about coaching.

Ultimate worldwide destination:  The ultimate WW Kayak road trip – Corsica to Slovenia to Italy to France to Austria to Norway  

Food: Chicken Caesar Salad – good date meal!

Drink: Aperol Spritz every time.

Music: Folk or classic 80s

Movie: Flight with Denzel Washington

Read: Massive Potter fan  

Piece of Peak PS Kit: Adventure Double Cag