Hailing from Selsdon, South London, Mike Ransom is without doubt the man at the front of the Cap-pack. Sponsored by London Pride, Lidl, Palm, Amstrad and Specsaver sunglasses he is a two-time World Champion in the "how many boats can you fit on a roof rack" category of paddling. Along with paddling he enjoys a spot of real ale, and reckons the nastiest thing he has ever seen was watching his sons eating a frog sandwich.

The man at the CAP helm's famous catchphrase “Or Whatever” always keeps the clubs plans flexible.

Chris's profession as a qualified accountant meant that she had no choice which position she took on the committee. Chris wasn't really sure what to say about herself for this article. I guess she just likes to let her paddling do the talking.

For someone who enjoys waking up to an amazing view from a tent the thought of being bound to a desk doing accountancy must be torture.

Likes - Travelling and doing anything outdoors. She is always ready to give most activities a go.

Dislikes - The cold and having to put on wet kit for a second day of paddling.

Ivan Scattergood is an enthusiastic (if not always competent) paddler.

Famous for his ability to make the simplest rapid look gnarly for the camera with his unconventional (i.e. upside down) approach to river running. When not paddling Ivan enjoys snowboarding, taekwondo and cycling. He is also looking forward to a 3 month sabatical from work where he will be heading out to Nepal to re-educate some of the paddlers out there to the delights of inverted rapid running. They don't know what they have been missing out on.

Favourite Saying - Honestly, it is not as hard as I make it look.

Club blogger, Pool liason officer, sun-loving inventor of the CAP-cap®.. ‘You’ve been Capped’ CAP Calling card®..and CAP rodeo® .. getting the  “We Know You’re From Croydon” the CAP anthem®, officially endorsed, Chas is living proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Just the sight of a deep gorge and he’s rolling in the dirt waiting for his tummy to be rubbed briskly, a pedigree chum both on and off the river.

Enjoys: Just be-ing. Taking a family holiday in the sunshine as often as possible, sharing a few jokes with the locals along the way and getting to bed early before ‘pumpkin’ time.
Dislikes: Authority. Tomato ketchup. Getting numb in the extremities.
Places paddled: Italy, France, Norway, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales.
Top-tip: If you see something interesting, stop to look at it.

 

Darren has long held the position of the probe within the club. Always willing to be the first to launch into some unexplored slot with minimal amounts of protection on a river.

Darren has a self confessed aversion to sun light and it is normally only the lure of a hearty English breakfast that will raise him from his bed on a trip.

Likes – Running any scary rapid that most sane people think won’t go and seeing other members achieving their goals on the river.

Dislikes – Waking up before midday and dog low rock bashing.

Ambitions - To paddle the Upper Walkham and Upper Plym.

Most Embarrassing Kayaking Moment - Jumping off a waterfall on the Afon Tawe and then realising he had left the relief zip open on his drysuit.

Hannah is another Croydon expat having moved south to the historic city of Winchester to escape the stigma that is associated with Croydon.

This doesn’t stop her being an active member of the club though as uses video conferencing to stay in touch at committee meetings and is well placed for any paddling trips to Devon.

Likes – Staying upright in her boat while challenging herself on new rivers.

Dislikes – Getting cold and wet though she is coming round to the idea as her White-water paddling progresses.

Scariest Moment – Getting snagged by a fast moving tree as she was about to descend a weir on the River Barle

Most Embarrassing Moment – Throwing a massive temper tantrum when she thought her helmet had been stolen at HPP. It was found when she got home and decided to unpack her tent.

Pam is still uncertain that hanging upside down in a kayak whilst trying to sort out which way is up is something a woman, fearful of the water and of mature years, ought to find entertaining... but carries on, believing that she gets ever nearer that holy grail 'the eskimo roll'

Likes - Pootling around in openboats - she thinks she was an American Indian in a past life.

Dislikes - Responding to the call of nature whilst in damp underwear, wetsuit, dry cag, buoyancy aid etc, etc. 

Ambition - What else but... to roll her kayak...

Top Tip - Pam has a number of top tips including screaming loudly and alarmingly whilst doing 'risky manoeuvres' ie rather tame bracing.

Greatest moment - Falling head first into the River Mole at the Stepping Stones whilst attempting to wash her hands. She claimed  'the river was further away than I thought', .

She is also the club's Welfare Officer and does HR in her business life which, for some reason, other committee members touchingly believe qualifies her for the role...

Stuart is known within the club for being a font of useless information about Kayaking and pretty much anything else. Don't get him started.

Since becoming a Croydon Ex Pat after relocating to Eastbourne he rarely makes the most of the sea unless there is a big swell running.

Likes - Playboating at Hurley on 3 gates, running grade IV rivers and staying up late partying. 

Dislikes -  Waking up in the morning with minimal amounts of sleep, faffing and long flat water paddles.

Best paddling - Doing the Usk in Monster spate conditions, full on playboating heaven

Top Tip - If in doubt, paddle hard

Ed is another one of the Young Guns that is quickly progressing within the club. Ed's chosen weapon on every river is his trusty Pyranha Sub 7. He believes that to be the very best paddler he can be he needs to get in every feature on a river as you only progress by learning from your experiences. 

 

Likes - Kayaking grade 3/4, surfing and getting an occasional trashing.

Dislikes - Early mornings and early nights.

Greatest kayaking moment - Paddling the River Tees in high level conditions.

Ambitions - To conquer the waterfalls of the River Melte.