INSTRUCTOR INTERVIEW WITH JAMES FROM NEW FOREST ACTIVITIES
As you know, we recently visited Beaulieu for a spot of river kayaking with New Forest Activities. Our instructor, James, was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, that we were inspired to start a new theme of Experience Days blogs; Instructor Interviews! Featuring inside information on the fantastic activities we offer, plus personal memories and tips on how to get the most from the experiences, here’s a brand new interview for you to enjoy.
1. Please briefly explain the nature of the company you work for and the experiences on offer.
New Forest Activities is an active company with the main goal of team collective experiences. it doesn’t matter if we canoe, kayak, or climb. it would always stay the same.
2. How long have you worked with New Forest Activities?
3 years.
3. What made you want to start teaching kayaking?
Love for the outdoors, love for the water and that reward of someone feeling inspired after learning something new. It is great to be a part of someone’s development and helping them progress.
4. What are your favourite parts of the job?
Meeting new people every day is a great insight to the world we live in. People of all different backgrounds and cultures makes me understand my place in the world a little bit more. Definitely inspires me to explore.
5. What’s your best memory from being an instructor?
Summer 2013, great relationship with all my colleagues, swimming in the river every night after work, schools and parties were always fun, kids that don’t care about phones or iPods for a few hours. Reminds me of growing up!
6. How do you see your role with the company evolving in the future?
I am always learning new responsibilities with the company. I was in charge of our special needs school this year and also had a leading role with our work experience and volunteers.
7. What is your most frequently asked question?
People always ask how I got into the career and the sports. I don’t believe in being in the right place at the right time. I feel that if you want something, you work for it. I got into this job because I wanted to work outdoors so I found myself a career path that led to it.
8. Any notable achievements?
I’ve taken out the owners of Mars Bar and Red Bull canoeing before. I will always remember marshalling on a triathlon, I had to stay in my canoe attached to a buoy and send people the right way.Iit mostly consisted of eating lots of food, listening to music and reading a book in the beautiful hot sun. That was a reward in itself.
9. Anything else you’d like to add.
I’m always looking for new challenges and I make it my number one message to give to groups. as a company, we focus on team building and having an active impact on peoples everyday lives. I think the most important thing for anybody is to set regular goals. have something to work towards otherwise you find yourself going in circles earning cash to pay bills. What are you hoping to achieve by this time next year??
Check out some of the other water sports James teaches…
