As an introduction to John Paul, I have copied and pasted the information below from John and Louisa's website www.hydropia.org. Their very interesting site not only describes some of their paddling exploits, but as John Paul is a superb photographer, it also exhibits many fantastic photographs and exhibitions. Well worth a visit after you've read his interview below!

'2220 was a 56 day 2392 km journey around the coast of Sweden in the summer of 2005 by sea kayak. The idea came from my wife Louisa, a globe trotting, kayaking Swede who I met in London two years earlier, fell in love with and married. Louisa had wanted to paddle around Sweden for some time and was pretty much ready for it.

I was another story. I have never been a sporty type: used to skip games at school and only played one football match in my life (I was sent off early for fouling – stupid rules!). I realised that if Ii was to see much of Louisa, I would have to overcome a deep rooted fear of drowning and learn how to kayak. Being a serious gamer (video!) and never one to pass up on a challenge, I decided to try and join her on the expedition to paddle around Sweden. That gave me 16 months from when I first stared out across Stoke Newington reservoir in a tiny plastic 'bucket' with an unwieldy paddle in my hands. A few months later, I took my first leap into the seat of a sea kayak in Jersey, Channel Islands. My family are from the Channel Islands and I knew several people who drowned in the extreme waters. I was certain I would join them.' www.hydropia.org

How did you get into paddling? It was because my wife Louisa paddled and I thought I would never see her unless I took it up. We visited Jersey a couple of years ago, which got me into sea kayaking.

What type of kayak do you paddle? Point 65 XP

What is your favourite paddling area? In terms of learning things about kayaking it would be around Jersey but in terms of paddling, the Stockholm Archipelago.

What is your day job? An artist and games researcher.

Who would you say has had the most influence on your paddling development? Olaf Liunberg

Who do you think has done the most to develop modern sea kayaking? Paddle manufacturers like Werner because it is the item of equipment which you are most linked to.

If you were paddling a double sea kayak whom would you want in the front seat and why? Louisa because we trust each other but I would also like somebody who can sing really well and can turn 180 degrees.

What is the best or most memorable paddle that you have undertaken? Round Sweden.

What is your favourite stroke? Just forward paddling. When you get it right it just feels so good. This would be followed by the low brace.

If you were to offer one piece of advice to newcomers to the sport what would it be? The worst that can happen is that you will get wet.

How do you see the sport developing in the next 10 years? Huge explosion of recreational paddling and the end of firsts in paddling terms.

What is your major frustration with the sport? Not being able to fit into a large number of kayaks because they are too low.

What music would be the soundtrack to your paddling life? System of a Down and the album is called Mezmerize.

Do you belong to a Club and what is your involvement? I am a distant member of Castle Canoe Club and Y Paddle. We are trying to become members of Stockholm Kayak Club.

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment? Something afterwards that you can smile about but wished hadn’t happened. I nearly capsized because I was photographing clouds.

Do you have any regrets – something that you had wished you had done but now can’t see yourself doing? I wish I had done more slalom whilst I was in the UK.

Why do you think we are interviewing you today? Because you want a cross section of people who are into the sport in different ways.

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