Peter Morton - Peak Paddlers

Peter Morton has been involved with Buxton-based canoe and kayak club Peak Paddlers since it was set up a year ago and, as a keen paddler, decided to volunteer as a coach.

The role has allowed him to improve his own skills as well as helping others develop, and he is now one of several volunteer coaches who tutor the club’s 100 members.

He is currently helping to run a seven-week beginners’ course for 20 new club members, and in the past year has helped many new members make their debut on the water.

Peter said: “There has not been a canoe and kayak club here for a few years and there isn’t another one close by, so we have grown to about 100 members in 12 months.

“The majority of new members need a level of coaching to get them safe on the water.”

Peter is able to fit his volunteering in with his paid work in outdoor education and as a freelance IT engineer, spending Tuesday and Thursday evenings with the club as well as some weekends. He also acts as the club’s publicity officer, and gave up more time to gain his UKCC Level 1 Coach Award.

He said: “I paddled when I was younger with the scouts and so was already a competent paddler and so becoming a volunteer was about participating in the sport and helping others learn and improve.”

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