Anthony “Andy” Gullsten
/
Finland
FOLLOW ME
aniolserrasolses.blogspot.ca/
Date of birth:
1991.04.09
Hometown:
Sort, Spain
Sponsors:
Red Bull,
Dagger kayaks,
Werner paddles,
Sweet protection,
Astral,
Hobbies:
Music, reading, flips off cliffs, partying…
Favourite athletes:
Chris Sharma, Andreu Lacondeguy, Shane Mcconkey, Marc Marquez, Tom Wallisch… I love to see people with style
BIO
My name is Aniol Serrasolses, I am 19 years-old and I am from Catalonia, Spain.
I started kayaking when I was 12 years-old at the kayak club in my hometown the Salt-ter. Tired of living in a place with no white water and with really low possibilities for the practice of kayaking, I moved out to Sort, where I’ve been working as a River Guide during the last 4 years.
With no doubts the Noguera Pallaresa river have been my school and the place where I formed myself as a multi-discipline kayaker: Creeker, freestyle-kayaker and expedition kayaker.
During the winter of (2009/2010) I was lucky to travel to Chile and Argentina. That was such an epic trip where we lived many experiences, paddled many incredible rivers, met a lot of new people and shared another culture for 6 months.
For me kayaking it’s a great excuse to travel, discover this amazing world that we got outside and see many incredible places that you can only access with your kayak. The exploration and the search of new rivers and waterfalls is one of the aspects I enjoy the most.
I feel really lucky and thankful to have found this sport that finally has become a way of living for me. I love the life that I’m living and I wouldn’t change it for a better work, have more money or a more comfortable life…
I really want to keep kayaking, traveling and documenting all the things we attempt for the years to come!
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
I want to travel all around the world paddling the hardest rivers on the most remote and beautiful places.
What would be your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is to be able to make a living out of kayaking. It is my biggest passion. I love the sport and all the experiences and places involved with it.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
Drowning, injuries because of hitting underwater rocks….
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Having a sick line of a waterfall… completing a first descent or just running a new river somewhere… I love multi day expeditions and getting away of civilization for a while. Enjoying nature in its fullest!
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
I practice my technique everyday I paddle..
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
My training success is based on paddling a lot… I don’t focus on any specific training, I just make sure that everyday out there is filled with fun and laughter! If you do something enough times and have fun while doing it, you learn it!
What are you most nervous about when competing?
At the hardest races, I am scared of ending up swimming and breaking a few bones… I am not a really good racer / competitor so I don’t feel much pressure to perform good. I just try to get out there having as much fun as possible and being smooth !
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My family !!! They have always been supportive with me following my dreams and they are always excited to watch some of my new videos !!!
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
Go for it !!! No matter what people say. If you really want to do something, you have to go for it now !!
What are your future plans?
Chile in the falls… complete descent of the Indus river in Pakistan…
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Send it !! Spend a lot of time mastering the basics and you will soon start paddling quality rapids with style and good confidence. It might be hard in the beginning but if you spend enough time trying, you will get to the point where kayaking just becomes the most amazing sport.
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?