Brand Ambassador: Pretam Gurung
Pretam Gurung is a Scotland based kayaker and scholar of hydrodynamics. Pretam started kayaking with the Breadalbane Canoe Club and is now on a mission to learn everything there is to know about the sport.
About Pretam
Pretam Gurung is a Scotland based kayaker and scholar of hydrodynamics. Pretam started kayaking with the Breadalbane Canoe Club and is now on a mission to learn everything there is to know about the sport.
His journey to learn from the water has taken him far afield to paddle rivers in places such as Iceland, Norway, Indonesia and of course to his homeland, Nepal. His fascination for the complex movement of water and passion for learning inspired him to start a PhD in 2024 which is focused on developing a new systematic approach to kayak design, all the way from philosophy of kayaking, through to advanced naval architecture design methods and state of the art construction methods.
“I recently realised that kayaking is much more than just kayaking. It is a process of the body and the mind - it is a sensitive appreciation for the movement of water, understanding it on all levels.
This more thoughtful approach to his sport has come from the challenge of injury. In 2024 an inflamed shoulder injury forced Pretam to slow down and connect more intuitively with the rivers that he adventures in. Forced to rest up rather than paddle, Pretam would go to the Grandtully rapids to drift in his boat without a paddle. He would just take it all in, floating with the flow and properly breathing. In these sessions his relationship with the water completely changed.
“A rapid can appear chaotic but in its complex movements it’s the most inspiring and peaceful place.
There are naturally occurring features and rapids that will deepen the connection with one’s equipment and the water far beyond countless hours on a controlled artificial course could. The Tay, the Falls of Lora, the Upper Tummel, the Braan, the Lyon, the Trishuli and the Marshyangdi are going to be key rivers.”
Olympic Goals
Pretam is going to give it everything for the next four years until the LA28 Olympic Games. In February, he travelled out to Nepal for the Nepali Canoe Slalom Championship and team selection. He is now preparing for his first season performing on the international stage. This will be at the ICF World Cups, World Championships and Asian Championships.
Pretam believes that his broad experience of paddling different rivers will give him an advantage that he can leverage over the next few years, especially having a home base in the heart of Scotland and in Nepal.
With the help of photographer Iain McBride, we look forward to following Pretam’s progress as he strives for both competitive success and a deeper understanding of the hydrodynamics of wild rivers.
“As a coffee drinker and outdoorsperson Glen Lyon Coffee has always stood out to me as one of the few outfits who have really tapped into the potential of our incredible local area. I’m honoured to be joining the movement.”