Stuart Watson (Nugz)

21

Southampton - First Year, Environmental Science BSc.

I got sent to a local club 12 years ago by my parents and just never stopped! The club is still going strong http://www.derehamcanoeing.co.uk. I bought a Pyranha S6 when it first came out thinking it was the coolest boat in the world. This kept me on the water and when I got to university a bigger boat emerged and I started running new rivers. Southampton isn't the best location for whitewater but 5am missions to Dartmoor and Wales happened every time it rained as well as slightly more planned trips to Scotland. Highlight of the last season has to be Portugal in December for steep, slidey fun. 

I was capsized by a 10 year old girl during a canoeing fun session at the centre I work at. I'll stick to kayaking. 

Paddling something totally new in such a culturally and ecologically diverse part of the world. I am also looking forwards to returning to South East Asia for the first time since I spent the first 3 years of my life growing up in the Philippine capital, Manila. 

The increasing intensity of the monsoon. Accessing and scouting the rivers will definitely be a challenge in the jungle.  

Very good at cutting grass. 

When the destinations were presented the potential of South East Asia became apparent. Some paddling trips have been undertaken in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and China where the influence of the Mekong is strong. These include the Tribe and YGP tour back in 2006 and the Fat Cats time on the multi-channeled section of the Mekong around the Cambodian border. These just scratch the surface of what we believe to be a potential world class destination.

We are not driven or funded by any large corporation. We are 9 students planning every aspect of the expedition. Hopefully this shows what can be achieved by anyone with ambition when forming a team with like minded people.