Kayaking Adventures with Martyn Holloway

We went on our annual SFS intec sales conference last week and in true British summer spirit the SFS intec team hit the sunny Cornish Coast, with our tents and raincoats in tow.

Every year we all do something as a team that is challenging and rewarding, and this year was no exception. We were to hit the open sea in kayaks.

Let me set the scene… 

We were all lined up on the beach in this tiny cove at St Quin, prepared in our wet suits and helmets - all awaiting the important announcement - who would be teamed up with whom!  I knew who I wanted to be with, so I aimed straight in Martyn Holloway, our Business Development Manager’s, direction because I knew he wouldn't want to be with someone who would 'rock the boat'.

As it happens I've been kayaking before and so I reassured him that he'd be safe with me in his boat.  There's a very good reason for this, Martyn can't swim and he hasn't been in a small boat before and so was very nervous.  He had told me earlier that his teenage daughter had been kayaking and so was determined that he wouldn't bottle it!  “Never!” I said - would that happen.  I knew what it meant to Martyn to go home and tell his daughter what a great time he had and how he overcame his nerves and rose to the challenge, especially when you're nearly 50 and others who were up for it were a lot older!

I have to say Martyn certainly conquered his fears, we were the last team to come in and we even followed the tutors out to the headland on some quite choppy water - heaven knows what we'd have done if we'd gone over - even I was a little spooked!  But we kept our heads and came in thoroughly whacked but so exhilarated.  The first thing Martyn said when we landed was "Can't wait to ring her when we get back."

Well done Mart, I was so proud of you…and you kept me dry when everyone else got a good dunking! 

Connie