The Irrational Fear of Death...

The Irrational Fear of Death! (From Waterfalls, not Cancer).

So we are 3 days away fron running the first 3 of our waterfalls and the texts are coming in thick and fast from my crew of paddlers. What is the schedule? Where are we sleeping? What are the water levels like? Will you say nice things at my funeral...? 

Kayaking. This is our favourite thing. We love the thrill of the rapids and pushing ourselves to extremes. We're meant to be FINE with this. It was a fun idea wasn't it? A chance to spend time in the water for charity. So why is it that kayaking off a waterfall has suddenly given a bunch of brilliant kayakers the fear? All the guys have run falls before and all the guys are good at it. They know that deep down but the fears and excuses are creeping in and I've spent this week pepping up the team and keeping them on board - reassuring them that we are not going to die and that everyone is just "rusty".

This project is very exciting but we also realise it has risks and consequences. As well as the "I've hurt my shoulder", the "I havent paddled for 3 years" and even the "I've got to go to the doctors tomorrow with a hurty penis" I am also getting the "well last year a friend of my friends club had one of their paddlers die on that drop".....

I am well accustomed to the cold sweats and sleepless nights that happens before one of these trips but I feel strangely calm about it at the moment. I can't decide if thats because nothing can beat the fear you get when you are told you have Cancer and its most likely you are going to die, or if its just because I'm so busy calming everyone else but the only one I've managed to convince is me. I've no doubt that calm will wear off the night before! In the end the reason we're all doing it is because we LOVE the fear. It gets the adrenalin going and 

One thing is for sure, ALL of the guys coming along to help me with this from the banks or paddling the falls are AWESOME. I couldn't ask for a better bunch of friends, with fantastic kayaking skills, who are willing to put themselves out there and achieve something great. :)

http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Brinkmann

whasss Happenin?

It's 2013. So whats happening now?

Viva Lewes.

I have just given an interview for the fabulous Viva Lewes magazine, to promote the '10 Waterfalls For Macmillan' project. The Interview will be in the February edition. Hurrah!

Viva I have an Editor.

I now have the rather marvellous Charlie Lort Philips on board the project to help edit all our footage in to some sort of cogent piece so everyone can enjoy seeing what we hopefully achieve.  Charlie can be found at take five studios cleverly editing actors showreels.....hes ace.

Viva When the hell do we start?

Our first drop is being planned for the 3rd Feb 2013. I am extremely excited to get going and we are all hoping the rain subsides so we can nail the N.Wales section of the project.

Viva The Just Giving Page.

The just giving page is still running and currently stands at £645.00. It contains the full story and some pictures and will be updated as the project progresses.

       http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Brinkmann

Mounting Cameras

So How The Heck Are We Going To Film This??

 

The plan is to mainly use Go Pro Cameras mounted in clever places to gain as much interesting footage for the film as possible. If we just shot wide footage of our waterfalls being Kayaked it would make for a rather dull film I think. So by mounting cameras on helmets, Boats and poss paddles we should be able to create a much more animated and intense experience with some real point of view shots!

Helmet mounted camera.

This should give a great POV from the Paddles perspective but may flatten out the image. Slow motion on these shots is a must I think?

Boat mounted camera.

This should give a fab angle looking up at the paddler and catching an upwards angle of what he has just paddled down ;)

We are working on some more mounting ideas at the moment so I will keep you posted.

Da Crew

Introduction to some of the Crew.

 

Ollie  (hes in there some where)

 

Ben (rugged with rope)

 

Tom

 

Wayne (yes hes paddling a box)

 

February 2012

One week before I was diagnosed......

Welcome

Welcome...

To my blog. I have created this blog to raise awareness for my project and keep all of those who are supporting me up to date on how things are progressing. So let me explain .......

What is 10 waterfalls for Macmillan?

 

I am kayaking down 10 UK waterfalls to raise money for a brand new cancer centre in Brighton. this centre will change people's lives and the way they are supported during one of the toughest times life can throw at you. Having spent hours and hours sat in hospital corridors frightened and unwell facing cancer and everything that comes with it, I believe a support centre with specific design to help those suffering with all types of Cancer is invaluable!

Why?

 

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and it stopped me in my tracks. One minute I was kayaking some waterfalls in North Wales the next I was facing the possibility that it was all over. As well as my close family and particularly my Amazing wife, Macmillan was one of the most supportive and helpful resources around. Without them I would have been stuffed. So I want to give them back anything I can......... And what I can do is kayak down waterfalls!!

When where and who?

 

We begin on the 3rd of February, back in North Wales where I last paddled. the plan is to use various locations over several months including Yorkshire and Scotland. a band of roving paddlers I have met along my travels will be joining me at various points on my journey and I have just made a fab contact in Scotland so it may be a special climax to our little project.

How can you help?

 

Anyone able to help on the water is most welcome. Safety cover, shuttles or making tea!

Donations are most needed so go to my just giving page and help me by donating what you can:-

10 Waterfalls for Macmillan Donations

Me.

 

I have Cancer, I kayak stuff I want to raise money for a very worthwhile cause...... the end.