Introducing...MCC Mavericks (Junior WW Kayaking)

Introducing...MCC Mavericks!

Manchester Canoe Club has seen some unbelievable young white water kayakers progress through the club, who are now some of the hottest paddlers in the country. (OK, I am slightly biased, but you only need to see them style out some freestyle or send a waterfall to know it's true!)

We are in the process of trying to revive our junior white water paddling scene, and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to celebrate some of the amazing paddlers we have had in the club over the past few years…introducing…

Leo Rathburn, age 24

Leo set the junior whitewater section of the club on its way, motivating and inspiring a new generation of young paddlers to get out on the water, play games, have fun and learn something new. Leo started out in Slalom and later moved into river running and playboating. 

His love for kayaking has seen him travel across the country and Europe, and has big plans to travel to other corners of the world. Leo now works as a Speech and Language therapist,

and has based himself in Llangollen on the banks of the River Dee.

Checkout youtube channel: Clean Teeth, Clean lines 

Insta: @leo.zrbn

Jack Rathburn, age 18

Jack’s paddling style is always at one with the water, making every move look effortless. His understanding of the water and how his boat, body and paddle interacts with this is to be desired for. Jack also started off with a foundation in slalom, learning the fundamentals before moving into whitewater river running and freestyle.

Jack has become more involved in the leadership side of the club, taking an active role in leading on our annual Scotland trip. Having completed his outdoor course in college, Jack has now also relocated to Llangollen and started work as a Canoe Instructor with the local outdoor centres in the area

Youtube: Clean Teeth Clean Lines

Insta: @j.jrathburn

Martha Purnell, age 17

Martha attacks everything with unbelievable fearlessness. Always psyched to be on the water, and with the backup of a super solid roll, she loves nothing more than pushing her boundaries and trying a new river. There is nothing better than seeing the massive grin on her face as she dominates a new rapid or figures out a new move. Martha joined the GB freestyle academy camp following applications from MCC, and returned with a new confidence to throw herself into holes and waves whilst on the water.

And one of the most important things to note is Martha likes to end every trip with a kinder egg…don’t mess with the kinder…

Sam Booth, age 17 

It is genuinely hard to find the words to sum up the unbelievable talent and achievements this lad has to offer! Super slick, stylish, always finding any opportunity to throw a trick, even if that's somewhere in the middle of a massive rapid. Sam is working his way through paddling the world, including having been away with the European Whitewater school…Norway, Italy, Scotland. His skill and talent comes from pure determination, motivation and commitment. I am not sure there is any weekend he is not out on a river, or down at the club practicing and perfecting new moves and tricks. All of which he now transfers to some of the most challenging, technical…and scary…rivers and rapids across the world. 

He is now a team paddler for Radical Rider, and kayaking alongside and absolutely shredding with some of the best paddlers in the country. Just go and check out his insta to see for yourselves…

Insta: @sam.0b1

Remi Molloy, age 14

Remi put in the hours practicing his roll in our winter pool sessions, developing a solid hand-roll, to such an extent he used to ditch his paddle anytime he needed to roll on a rapid! Following club nominations, Remi has had the opportunity to attend the GB Freestyle Academy during the summer holidays and has come back throwing many new shapes. Playboating is where his heart lies and the speed with which he learns new flatwater skills is unbelievable, and now he has been transferring some of that natural steeze onto the river. We are looking forward to seeing where this takes him next…

Me? OK, I'm not a youth, my name is Sonia and I'm a 40 year old mum, constantly in awe of, and trying to keep up with the young guns. I have a good 20 years of paddling under my belt and for the past few years have taken the lead on the club white water development for women. Alongside the classic rivers in England, Scotland and Wales I have paddled in Italy, France and Iceland, but my passion lies in seeing people develop. Not just mastering great kayaking skills, but in working as a team, using initiative, leadership, and most of all the amazing camaraderie you only get when you throw a bunch of people bonkers enough to get out on the water in the depths of winter together!

If you're interested to see where kayaking could take you….please get in touch via the club email. [email protected]

During the summer our regular Mavericks sessions take place on Wednesday evenings at the club site on the River Goyt, and in the winter we move to Sunday evenings and the warmth of Hazel Grove swimming pool.

PS - A note to parents: we love to see parents on the water too! So why not come and try…helpfully, we also have adult beginner sessions on Wednesday evenings.