#TeamRiverLegacy Profile – Ben Turner
Posted in #TeamRiverLegacy
Working hard to support grassroots paddling, #TeamRiverLegacy come from all over the country to volunteer at events. Real paddlers gives up their time, for free, to make sure you have the best time possible and get out onto the water. So we decided to put a name to those faces behind the bar!
Ben Turner
Age: 29
Where were you born and where do you currently live?
I was born and Grew up in Rochester Kent, and now live in Cheshire darling.
What’s your day job?
I am a Project Engineer at a Power Station, responsable for delivering long term engineering plans and solutions to optimise and improve the efficiency of the plant. I love the power industry so if you need putting to sleep, chat to me.
How long have you been involved with RL, when was your first event?
7 years, I first help set up the Marquees with Nottingham University Canoe Club at NSR in 2010.
Whats your role at River Legacy, and what do you do at events?
I am one of the Directors of River Legacy Events Ltd. I am responsible for the day to day operations of the events company, ensuring that our events happen safely, and that they earn the money for the trustees to give away as donations.
What boat do you paddle?
A very large and brightly coloured Jackson Karma
Favourite place to paddle?
The River Kent in the Lakes is my favourite river because it was my first real ‘big’ river so lots of memories. Other than that North Wales due to the diversity of different rivers there.
Favourite RL event and why?
NSR! It is our biggest and most challenging, but there is nothing better than after 4 months of planning, stressing and negotiating with the local council and emergency services, to be standing on the pit barrier at midnight on Saturday looking out at 1000 people having the time of their life.
Do you have any stories or highlights worth sharing?
Too many to tell, and too many that can’t be published. Des Mes lock ins after NSR and RL trustee John drinking too much port.
How did you get into paddling? Who introduced you to the sport and helped with your first steps?
I started Paddling at 10 with my Sea Scout Group, we had a brilliant and inspiring coach called Glen Burgess.
RL supports grassroots paddling and encourages participation in paddlesport, how important is that and what would you like to see us do over the next couple of years?
This is majorly important and the only reason I volunteer my time for River Legacy. We need to give more money away to grass roots paddling and increase participation in our wonderful sport. This is the only way we can credibly fight for better access. The more of us there is, the louder we can be!
What are you most excited to do in 2017?
To become a father for the first time.
What would you like to see River Legacy do over the next couple of years to improve?We need to enthuse a new era of volunteers to help us run our events and raise money for paddlesport. If your interested in getting involved just drop River Legacy a message on Facebook, we are a really welcoming lot from a wide variety of backgrounds, it’s almost impossible not to fit in!
