James has lived, explored and competed all over the world; introducing paddle sports to young people, coaching white water canoeing and kayaking and guiding rafts down some of Europe's most challenging rivers. James has represented Great Britain in white water freestyle canoeing since 1996 and has maintained a top five ranking in the world since 1999. In addition to vocational qualifications James was awarded a sports scholarship to study Adventure Recreation with Sports Science at De Montfort University in Bedford where he graduated with a second class honours degree in 2002. When not on the river James is busy indulging his passion for photography and writing, and works as a freelance journalist for several international canoeing magazines. 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. James is presently living and working in the Swiss Alps guiding rafts and coaching white water canoeing. James' unique style, experience and competition success' make him one of the most prominent canoeists on the planet.