Since discovering open canoeing in the summer of 1988, all James wanted to do was get out on the water and paddle. From early days on the River Thames at Adventure Dolphin in Pangbourne, his enthusiasm for canoeing has taken him to five continents to explore rivers, taken part in expeditions and entered competitions. Open canoeing for James started out as hobby, turned into a lifestyle and is now a profession. In addition to vocational qualifications, he was awarded a sports scholarship to study Adventure Recreation with Sports Science at De Montfort University in Bedford, where he graduated with an honours degree in 2002. James continues to expand the boundaries of his sport and uses this time to test and develop products for several of the market leaders in adventure equipment. Presently living and working in the Swiss Alps, he coaches white water canoeing and guides rafts at the Kanuschule in Versam. His refreshing approach, experience and competition success make him one of the prominent characters of the sport.