Chasing waterfalls with Sam Garthwaite and Cam Hopkin
Back in October, amidst the heart of Scotland's untamed wilderness, where rivers carve their path through rugged landscapes, I met with two friends -Sam and Cam- bound by a shared love for the thrill of the rapids, to seek some drops and chat about river SUP life .
Having spent countless weekends together on the river, Sam and Cam are more than just paddling partners, they're best friends united by a shared passion for the water
Sam Garthwaite.
Indiana, Surfears, Change Robe and Nookie Ambassador @Frothysup ‘Smashing out a whole bunch of first SUP descents while they’re there for the taking!’
Sam, [@FrothySUP] a devoted family man and accomplished Indiana Boards ambassador, brings a warmth and stoke that extends beyond the river and Cam's relaxed but focused style and dedication to watersports education, make him an inspiring force.
Cam Hopkin.
Water sports educator and WWSUP enthusiast. ‘Taking whitewater sup seriously, It really isn’t a hobby for me anymore and as much as I feel like a dick saying it, it really is just part of who I am.’
Our conversations delved into the essence of river SUP, navigating social media pressures, and the camaraderie that defines their adventures. A glimpse into the minds of those who chase waterfalls and find solace in the rhythm of the river.
After an early morning meet up at Tescos finest car park, tandem driving ensued..
Spirits high with anticipation, we approached the Falls of Shinn at Lairg mid morning.
Alas, the water levels were low! Teasing us with the promise of a future descent.
Undeterred, our convoy moved onwards to Craggy Water.
Sam and Cam survey the safety of the flow
Drizzle danced on the surface of the heath and aween as we faced an enticing twin drop—a challenge met with enthusiasm.
Yet, in the midst of exhilaration, I lost my board, initiating a merry chase downriver.
Pine wood glenn with Tensile tent
That evening we wild camp in a spongie moss pine woodland glen and drank a few drams of whisky.
The next day as dawn broke, we revisited the Falls of Shinn one last time, met with the verdict of conditions this time too large for a descent ..
Charlie at Craggy Water wearing custom Headwater PFD vest
Undeterred! We set our sights on River Freshie, where fun dunks and mellow rapids awaited.
Thoroughly dunked !
Peering through the digital window of social media,
we can often find ourselves wading through a sea of comparison, where every scroll magnifies the chasm between reality and curated perfection.
The constant exposure to flawless physiques and achievements of others can seed feelings of inadequacy, fuelling an internal storm of self-doubt, body image issues, and a quest for unattainable perfection..
Charlie on Fanatic Air at river Freshie
All too soon the farewell loomed, a poignant moment reflecting the transient beauty of our shared adventure.
I took a moment to ask my amigos a few questions..
Our conversation delved into the essence of river SUP, navigating social media pressures, and the camaraderie that defines their adventures. A glimpse into the minds of those who chase waterfalls and find solace in the rhythm of the river.
Considering the pervasive influence of social media, how do you navigate its potential adverse effects on mental health in your extreme sports journey? Does social media pressure affect you ?
Sam
Social media has done a lot for me in this sport, and opened a bunch of doors that would be closed without it. Yes, it adds a tonne of pressure, and expectant eyes. At the end of the day this is a sport where falling in is a big part of it, I try to be fairly real and show some of these falls on my social media, but of course you want to show yourself at your best and show what you are capable of, by putting your absolute best paddling on display for everyone…but with that, you have created the illusion that you bust out paddling like that every time you grace the water. After saying all of that, nobody has directly said any of this to me, so it might not even be the case, it could be completely internal and all of the pressure is self inflicted…but pressure is pressure.
Sam on river Freshie
Cam
It affected me quite a bit at the start where I felt this pressure to post new content all the time. Reflecting on it now it’s ridiculous cause that pressure really isn’t there other than from myself and so now my relationship with social media is a bit more positive. I make the videos and content that I want to make and will post that but nothing really outside of that. I do wish I had the same motivation as Sam when it comes to social media as it’s obvious it’s having a massively positive effect on his paddling career and comes naturally to him.
Cam on his Fanatic Rapid Air at river Freshie
I think it's fair to say having spent some time with you over the weekend that you are best buds. Could you share a glimpse into how competition among friends can be a driving force in an extreme sport, like WW river SUP?
Sam
If you want to get better, you have to compete and constantly challenge yourself. I’m in constant competition with people I paddle with, it’s a curse, and probably toxic behavior…but it pushes me!
Cam and myself have built trust through years of friendship and years of jumping into lots of different sports and activities together. We have seen each other at our best and worst and we know how each other operate. We’re paddling partners and we are super comfortable with each other, which breeds the best paddling performance in my eyes. We compete with each other every time we go out. It’s just the way it is, and we’re both fully aware of the situation…it’s mostly good I would say.
Cam
For me it’s less about comparison and actually competition is a way for me to reflect on my own skill set to see where I’m performing well and where I need improvement. I don’t think there is too much competition in our friendship, I think that there are moments that we get frustrated if one of us walks away with a successful run of a feature and the other doesn’t, that can grate on you. We have however come to learn that we have varying skill sets which means that we are both quite good at coaching each other through things, to a point that, moments where someone walks away feeling like they were unsuccessful are few and far between. I love wipe-outs, part of WWSUP is swimming. The time I do find white water SUP disappointing is when a river just doesn’t work for whatever reason. That can be really heart-breaking to invest in something and have to walk away not being able to paddle it at all.
Could you share a juicy river tale or a defining moment, positively impacting your mental resilience and /or approach to white water SUP?
Cam
Sure I have a couple of these. It had been a really fun play style session on the Perthshire Garry. After quite a while of this we decided we would paddle dog leg falls just below a relatively intimidating grade 3-4 that I was happy to get a first decent on my last trip. The water on this day was a bit lower than before. I went for it first and immediately hit my paddle hard enough to force it out my top hand. Decided I could avoid this the second time and went for it again. This time I hit my paddle but because I had been focused on trying to avoid this I fell backwards off the board and into the base of the fall. I was caught in the usual downward current of the fall but this time instead of being spat back out I was met by a second current bringing me down until I was at the bottom of the river. Then being forced forward by the river my chest ended up pressed against a wall. I still at this point had loads of air in my lungs so it wasn’t a massive panic. With my feet on the ground I went to push up to force myself to the surface but was met by a ceiling of rock. Reached to my left, rock. Reached to my right, rock. At this point I thought “oh f*ck, I’m in a cave, I’m pretty sure this is how people die”. I felt around for the edge of the cave when instinctually I reached to feel my leash and ran my hand along it to find the edge of the cave. Grabbing the edge with both hands and pulling myself out and immediately shooting back up to the surface. I could try to say I’ve learnt mods from that but really it’s only solidified two things.
One, there are good and there are bad times to wear a leash. Pick them carefully.
Two, pick your paddling partners well.
I had Jim Miller and Jess Philips on safety that day and I have no doubt that if the time had went on longer they would have sorted me out (especially as they could use the board tethered to me to get me out). I also have to mention Devan Crawford and how understanding and caring he was immediately after the incident with me being quite obviously shaken up from the whole thing.
Sam
There’s a few [achievements] that I’m really proud of, but I’d have to say the first SUP descent of the Linn if Tummel. It’s a Scottish classic that so many people said would be impossible on a SUP, I really had to fight for it, which made it feel even better when I started to see consistency on it! I’ve been just trying to smash out a whole bunch of first SUP descents while they’re there for the taking!
What is on your white water bucket list?
Sam
I think if I was asked this question a year ago it would have been, to hold the world record of biggest waterfall done on a SUP. If that happens it would be cool, but I think as time has gone on my love of paddling waterfalls has developed into a love for paddling really unique features. Recently I saw a picture of somebody attempting a really insane looking feature in the states, it was a tunnel outlet that fed water into a river…but effectively it is a “tunnel drop/waterfall” it was just so unique, it was immediately added to the list!
Cam
So many things but I think right now for me the biggest thing is I want to go paddle in another country. Sam and I are already lined up to go to the Isarhorn international whitewater fest in May 2024. Following this it would be great to head out to New Zealand seeing as the WWSUP community is pretty much non-existent out there so it would be cool to try to help spread the word.
What would you like to see in the sup community that isn't yet?
Cam
A new category of WWSUP, right now it seems to be slalom, sup x and river surf. Would be cool to see some big water time trials or even a down river freestyle comp.
Who and what inspires you about running rapids?
Sam
There’s one person that I used to watch when we first started pushing ourselves, Spencer Lacy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else navigate rapids and crazy features like he did. It doesn’t seem that he’s that active in the community anymore, but I still watch his clips to this day!
Cam
The need for new experiences. I think it’s a personal thing that I’m always wanting something new even if that thing isn’t as big a feature or achievement as the last one. There's just something really exciting about something being new. On a more self centred note the idea of having some sort of legacy in this sport would be really cool.
Favorite bit of kit?
Sam
This is something that changes quite often. Given that it’s currently winter I would have to say my Nookie Blaze Suit (drysuit). It has been such a cold winter, I even came off the river just before Christmas with my beard iced over! Beardsicles! Having the drysuit has just made it so much more pleasant! Sawyer Paddles and Oars recently gave me some great support by gifting me their incredible (and expensive) whitewater paddle, the SUPer Styk.
Cam
Currently my favourite bit of kit are my astral Rasslers 2.0, they are looking a bit tired now but they are a brilliant shoe for sup and I’m often surprised not more people are using them in WWSUP.
What are your thoughts on how, those of us involved in the water sports industry can help protect our rivers that are under threat from so much pollution?
Sam
If I’m honest I haven’t been that active with anything to do with river conservation or anything in that realm, it’s easy to get lost in the stoke and just paddle. It’s not until it directly affects the rivers you use that it starts to play on your mind. If I think about it, those of us that have started to get a healthy following on social media are in quite a good position to spread awareness and try to get something done about it.
Cam
I think that teaching awareness is key. People don’t know what they don’t know and by making sure we teach and demonstrate good practice we can try to help create more of a connection to these environments along with how people can use and preserve them.
Cam and Charlie with Fanatic Air boards on river Freshie
What is it about teaching on water and outdoors that inspires you the most ?
Cam
I think that the age in which people “play” is decreasing more and more. I think that teaching allows me to simply be a facilitator of play and try to help let others see how beneficial this is. I truly believe that sup is one of the strongest tools for play in the outdoor industry.
Sam
The first time I stepped on a SUP, my eyes widened (for a few reasons). I just had such a good time. Sharing that moment with people that are trying it for the first time, or giving those little game changing nuggets of gold to people who want to progress, is just the best feeling ever. Anything SUP related is going to perk me up, I just love it.
What are you trying to improve about your life in and out of the water?
Sam
I’m always trying to progress and further my skills within the sport. Getting into a position where I’m sponsored and can support myself financially through that sponsorship would be an absolute dream. No more 9 to 5 … just water
Cam
Enjoying the simple things. With trying to constantly find big features I think it’s easy to forget the fun to be had on smaller features. If it’s feeling too easy then do it backwards!
What is your favorite moss to wipe your arse with, when camping in Scotland?
Cam
Sphagnum moss. If it worked for soldiers' wounds in WW1 then it’ll work for my guilty whiskey poo.
Sam
I prefer to steal the socks of whoever I’m camping with!
Embracing competition -
- as a tool for self-improvement rather than a yardstick for comparison..
Whether on the water, track, or gym, we can harness the power of healthy rivalry to set personal records, conquer new challenges, and foster growth.
It's a battleground not against others but against one's former self, a realm where the focus shifts from outshining others to outshining one's own limits.
Here, competition becomes the ally, to encourage motivation, resilience, and the tenacity to overcome obstacles.
“As the echoes of our paddles faded, the Scottish rivers bore witness to our shared stoke. Sam, Cam, Frothy, and I—bound by water and laughter—revelled in the memories of a weekend that transcended the ordinary. Here’s to chasing waterfalls and the enduring friendships born on the rivers of Scotland
”