A teacher and canoeing enthusiast from Richmond, who has travelled across the UK and around the world, has written a book about his favourite paddlesport region – North Yorkshire and the North-East.

Nigel Wilford, 40, a design and technology teacher at Teesdale School in Barnard Castle, is also a kayak and canoe instructor from his home in Richmond.

Mr Wilford, a British Canoe Union level five coach, said the idea for his book, English Canoe Classics, came from a desire to share his passion for paddlesports.

“I went to university in York and started paddling there. I then got my first teaching job at Richmond School and discovered all the rivers in the area.

“Many of them start as great whitewater rivers, and develop into wide, smooth ones perfect for canoeing.”

Mr Wilford has enjoyed all kinds of paddlesports in Europe, Australia and New Zealand and added: “The most fantastic thing about paddling is the diversity – you can try sea kayaking, open canoeing, and whitewater kayaking.”

While Mr Wilford has enjoyed whitewater kayaking, now he is older and a father of two he said: “I’m less inclined to go for the thrills of whitewaters – I enjoy canoeing in moving water and estuaries.

“Recently there has been more availability of sit-on kayaks, but people buy them and don’t know what to do with them or where they can go,“ he added.

“The book, which features 25 great canoe and kayak trips in the North of England, shows beginners and novices in paddling where to go and takes all the hard work out of planning a route.

“It tells you where to get on and off the river, where to park, local amenities, and a general description of the river – although you can’t be too specific as river conditions can change quickly.”

Mr Wilford and his writing partner, Eddie Palmer, plan to complete book two based on rivers in the South of England by the end of the year.

  • English Canoe Classics, Vol 1: 25 Great Canoe and Kayak Trips is available on Amazon.co.uk for £16.99.