Cameron doesn’t wait around to hit the waves

The Eastwood and East Kilbride Canoe Club member has joined a group of less than 10 paddlers to have achieved the 3 Star award — across canoe, river and sea disciplines — under the age of 16.

Once young paddlers achieve their British Canoeing 2 Star Award, they have to wait until they are at least 14 to tackle the third.

But Cameron wasn’t for waiting around, and he gained his third award just three months after his 14th birthday.

Mum Sandra and dad Tony are thrilled and thanked the club for all their help.

Sandra said: “We’re very proud of what Cameron has achieved and at just 14. Sometimes these days it can be a real worry having a teenager, but Cameron is a very grounded boy with a broad group of interests and activities.

“Besides his love of kayaking, he is an RAF Cadet, a Scout Explorer and a bagpiper. He’s very unassuming and I don’t think he quite realises just what he has done.”

Club chairman Gavin Howat commented: “Cameron was frustrated at having to wait till he was 14 to go for his 3 Star, but those are the BC rules.

“However, once he reached 14, he wasted no time in securing his 3 Star White Water Kayak — the test for which includes assessment over a day’s river trip with sections on deep moving water, dealing with waves sufficient for surfing, capsizing and rolling back upright and crossing eddies.

“That last one is something that taxes even some established paddlers and involves crossing from fast flowing water going, say left to right, into slow moving water going right to left. Believe me such conditions can easily flip a kayak.

“The 3 Star assessment also includes sections on understanding weather and river conditions, first aid and rescue skills; rescuing not only yourself, but fellow paddlers and their equipment which, on a river, can very quickly disappear off downstream.

“Cameron is a great example of what young paddlers can achieve, if they are prepared to commit themselves.”