Billy Harris

Age: 33
Years Kayaking- 15
Home Town- Beachburg Ontario (part time rest of Uganda)
2006 world silver medalist
4x Canadian Freestyle Champion
Canadian Freestyle team member since 2001
25 countries paddled

Billy Harris has always been someone that my kids, Nick, and so many others have said, “That is a guy we want on our team!” I knew he was an awesome paddler but never really got to know him well enough away from the times where we are staring each other down at a major event. Billy has his own approach to competition and we are not out of the same mold, making our encounters awkward. Finally, this winter in Africa, we got to know each other better and I got to see the un-guarded Billy Harris that so many others get to see regularly. I can’t say enough good things about him and his value to our sport and those who he gets to instruct. His influence on teen kayakers is unreal, and he is know as the guy who “speaks my language” as everyone who has ever been coach by him says. Finally, I can feel more comfortable when it is the finals and Billy and I are in them together. If he beats me, at least now, I will have lost to a guy in a Jackson Kayak! Welcome Billy!

Here is what Billy has to say about himself ...

Ever since I can remember I have had a paddle in my hand. My vehicle toward self-realization and personal freedom floating under me. I was never good in school had a hard time focusing but when I had a paddle in my hand my focus came and my ambition soared. Freestyle kayaking found me; in the mean time it has taught me more about me that I could have ever realized. Control over my minds wandering, direction ambition self-actualization and just plane fun. Like most athletes I have had my doubts, gone though my ups and downs but a constant in my life has always been the kick I get out of skimming on a wave, popping in the air or reading the water for the next unknown bend in the river.

Billy’s take on Jackson Kayaks

My passion is kayaking my other passion is teaching. There is no better way to feel good about yourself as to help the people around you. I have paddled everywhere and in every kayak manufacture, they all make great kayaking gear and equipment. I could never help but feel that the people I teach need their equipment to help them. Jackson’s name just keeps being the boat that I recommend to beginners and advanced paddlers as well. Jackson doesn’t build a site specific play boat but a play boat that will work great on all features, there are faster boats, boats that go higher perhaps but Eric never lost sight of our job as freestyle paddlers and coach’s. That job is to make the sport easier and more fun for everyone. I want to be apart of that, its what I believe in.

My Nemesis my friend

Eric and I have done battle on many world stages and to date always was my foe, my nemesis or sorts. Loosing to him by a quarter of a point at the last worlds and the pre worlds the year before was tough me. Eric’s always been great fun to be around but always the guy on the end of my proverbial gun barrel. It has frustrated me that that is the case but always made me stop to wonder too. Now with Eric’s help and the help of my wife I start looking at the guy pointing the weapon, explore and learn different things about my self in a bid to win a world kayaking championships of my own.

Sponsors:
Jackson, Sweet, Salomon, Salus life jackets, Mountain Surf and H20 Paddles