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Interview:
Peter Tranter
Photos:
Nick Troutman,
Emily Jackson,
Dane Jackson,
Seth Warren –
Heliconia
www.heliconia.ca
Alec Voorhees
A chat with… Nick Troutman
We’re really honoured to welcome back Nick, seven years after his first interview for the Paddler magazine. Nick has been kayaking for 18+ years, won a Freestyle Kayak world championship and married the love of his life in the same year, Emily Jackson. Years later, they added to the family with a couple of additions, their son, Tucker, eight years old, and daughter, Parker, five years old. Nick travels the world paddling, exploring, and adventuring with his whole family. We caught up with him just before Christmas – take it away Nick…
So what got you hooked on WW and freestyle kayaking?
When I first got introduced to kayaking, it was through my best friend, as he asked if I wanted to join him at kayak school. I agreed, and pretty much-thought kayaking was long pointy boats floating down a river. On day one of our kayak school, I was introduced to freestyle kayaking and saw tricks and flips and immediately fell in love with the sport. It probably helped to be that I grew river by the Ottawa River, which is, in my opinion, one of the best rivers on earth for freestyle kayaking.
If you could head anywhere in the world to paddle, where would it be, and what appeals about that location?
It’s funny; I get these questions a lot. Though my honest answer is wherever my friends are. I can go and paddle some of my favourite rivers, though if I’m with a group of jerks, then it’s not going to be a good time. On the contrary, I can paddle any river with my best friends and have a total blast. Three of my favourite rivers would be the Ottawa River in Canada, the Zambezi River in Zambia, and the Rio Alseseca in Mexico. Ironically, I probably love these rivers so much because of all the great memories I already have with some of my best friends.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to somebody thinking of packing it all in to become an adventurer?
If you are going to do it, go all in, and you better do it because you love it. Also, make sure to enjoy the journey. It is super cliché, but the journey is regularly better than the destination. This applies to everything in life.
When preparing for a multi-day expedition in challenging conditions, what qualities do you look for in a fellow teammate kayaker?
Trust. I pretty much don’t paddle class 5 with people I don’t know or don’t trust. Expedition paddling is a team stop, and you need to trust that your partners have your back and you have theirs. It is also good to have a good working relationship as it may be tested in the wilderness’s most challenging conditions.
You’re one of the paddlers of this generation. Which paddlers from the past would you have loved to have paddled with?
That’s a great question. I feel fortunate to have been able to paddle with many of my hero’s growing up, maybe with the likes of Joe Pulliam during his heyday.
If you had to choose one last thing you wanted to achieve within WW paddling before giving it up, what would that be?
Only one? I’m not planning on giving up anytime soon. Though if I could only pick one, it would have to be the double airscrew.
If you could capture just one ‘feel good moment in your kayaking expeditions/competitions – which would it be and why?
I’m not sure I understand your question. Though maybe that feeling after accomplishing something difficult, or pushing past the “demons in the mind” and the self-doubt and proving to yourself you can do it.
Is there anywhere in the world that’s got you hooked? Somewhere you want to keep going back to again and again?
The Ottawa River, The Alseseca in Mexico, the Zambezi in Zambia, and maybe Iceland. There are just too many epic locations.
Expeditions or competitions – which gives you the most buzz?
Both, in very different ways. I’ve researched ‘Flow State’ quite a bit, and expeditions and competitions give a very different mental state. Expeditions have a layer of risk that can force the flow state as well as some incredible sceneries and opportunities to do something that has never been done before. Expedition paddling is also very much a team sport, while competitions freestyle kayaking is a solo endeavour that pushes you to be your best as well as showcase all you’ve been working on. I very much enjoy both styles of the sport, and doing both keeps me continually excited as there is always something new to try, do or attempt.
It’s a tough call with all the expeditions throughout the world you have undertaken, but does one pop up as your favourite?
The Rio Alseseca, for several reasons:
- It was my first big expedition.
- It was a five-week trip.
- It opened up some world-class whitewater sections and truly became a global destination.
- Being one of the young guys and a total greenhorn, I learned many lifelong skills and lessons from my team members and crew and the whole experience.
Apart from extreme kayaking – are there any other areas of paddling you would like to explore?
Yes, lots. I have been exploring tons of new class 1-3 rivers with my kids and family, and I now enjoy a class 2 river with my son or daughter as much or more than any of the most demanding rivers of my life.
Which competition gives you the fondest memories?
There are many incredible events and memories. I love all the night finals with the lights, crowds, and music. I’d probably still have to say winning the Worlds in Thun, Switzerland.
You’re a multiple champion in freestyle – what two or three things would you like to evolve with this discipline?
More inclusive. Allow more style. Bring back the ‘free’ in freestyle. I don’t want to point fingers, though our sport is so heavily critiqued to the slightest angle of the move that there is no longer any room for style. (I’m definitely going to get flack for this one, but it is true.)
How do you personally prepare for competitions – mentally and technically?
I try to prepare the best I can by drilling in the moves that I plan to do and trying my best to make the sequences so well practised that I can do it with my eyes closed. Or at least that is the plan. As for training mentally, visualization has always been something I do. The best book I’ve ever read for mindset is Thinking Body Dancing Mind if you are into reading.
What’s the one river you haven’t paddled that would be on your bucket list?
Oh, man, there are still so many. I would have to say the Stikine. However, it does still intimidate me as well.
You’ve started a new TV series – what can you tell us about it?
Yes, we launched our Family Adventure series this year. It is called the Great Family Adventure, and it’s basically a docu-type series that follows our family around and showcases some rad adventures you can do as a family in all sorts of different locations.
What’s it like being married into the Jackson clan?
Pretty fun. It’s the only family I’ve ever married into, so I can’t compare. However, I have met few people who like to play as many games and activities as that family, and I love it.
We’re also fans of your ‘Art of Awesome’ podcasts – how and why did that idea start?
I’m glad to hear that you like it. I always wonder how people perceive it. Anyways, I wanted a way to give back that was just writing checks to foundations, and I thought sharing ideas, information and thought-provoking conversations could be a sort of way to help give back. It has been an incredible platform for some phenomenal conversations and created friendships that likely would have never been formed otherwise. I’ve interviewed Olympic gold medalists, world champions, entrepreneurs, fitness gurus, NASA scientists, best-selling authors, and so many more. I have enjoyed it a ton, and I continually remind myself that if only one person gets value out of it, then it was worth it.
Name just one thing we can do as paddlers to improve our rivers and their environment.
Lots, though the first thought that comes to mind is to leave them better than we found them. That could simply mean picking up trash even if it wasn’t yours. I think if everyone lived with the simplicity of leaving a place better than you found it, the world would continually be a brighter place.
What projects are you currently working on?
Ha! I am working on so many projects all the time. Right now, I’m working on the Art of Awesome podcast, our Great Family Adventure TV show, as well as a new children’s book, hoping to launch that this year. I’m also really focusing on my freestyle paddling and training and teaching my kids to paddle and take care of nature. I guess I’m just trying to be an excellent example to as many people as possible.
How do you juggle family time, two children, competitions, tv-series and expeditions?
Very carefully, I’ve struggled with it in the past. However, I heard a saying once that helped a ton. We are all trying to juggle many balls simultaneously, though some balls are rubber, and some are glass. When you drop a rubber ball, it will bounce, and you can keep on juggling. It will scuff, scratch, or possibly break when you drop a glass one. Don’t drop the glass balls in life. It is up to us to determine which are the rubber balls and which are the glass balls. For me, it is my family that is most important, and I regularly try not ever to drop those balls. However, I am far from perfect and am continually trying to improve.
If you could paddle with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
George Washington, I bet he was a badass.
Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?
Brad Pitt. I’ve always enjoyed him ever since Fight Club.
Pick two celebrities to be your parents.
I would stick with my own. I think they did a pretty great job.
Are you a bathroom/shower singer, and if so, what do you sing?
Most definitely not.
An ideal night out for you is?
My nights usually consist of putting my children to sleep. Though grabbing some fish and chips and a nice pint and a local pub would be fun when I come to England this summer.
What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?
Maybe a GoPro and solar charger to document the whole thing. Or a kayak and a paddle so I could leave. I don’t know; I try to avoid getting stranded on a deserted island.
What would you prepare for us if we came to your house for dinner?
Anything you like. However, I’m known for my eight-layer lasagna, and it’s been a tradition to make it every Christmas Eve at the Jackson household.
What’s in your fridge right now?
Veggie chili, veggies, hummus. Lots of dark chocolate. Some Fat Tire beer. Milk. Orange juice. Why do you ask?
Ed: we’re just being very nosey:)
Favourite sport’s team?
It’s going to sound weird, but honestly, I don’t follow any sports; I’d much instead just go outside and play them rather than watching others play it on TV.
Who are your kayaking buddies?
I have many paddling buddies, though if I’m going on a trip, my first calls are to Dane Jackson, Rafa Ortiz and Joel Kowalski.
Any nicknames?
Lots, though non that have stuck.
If you could be a superhero for one day, what superpower would you choose and why?
SuperDad. I know your readers will find that lame. Though really, all I want is to be the best dad ever. I try hard, though I also regularly feel like I’m making mistakes. Maybe that’s normal; I don’t know. Though I guess if I could be a SuperDad for at least a day, I would have a gage of how far off I am to being the best dad I could be every other day.
Any final shoutouts to friends, supporters and sponsors?
A shout out to all my friends and family and sponsor who has supported me, especially my parents, for their support in the early years, and primarily to my wife, Emily Jackson; she continually supports me every single day, and she somehow still puts up with me.
Huge thanks, Nick, for taking the time out to speak to us.