Ok people so i was reading a couple of threads on UKRGB and came across one about Shaun Baker, the initial post had a programme attached of Shaun running a waterfall in Iceland. It basically was him a safety boater and a camera crew, and an interview type thing that was 1st aired on British TV in 2003.

So anyway the thread had a fair few responses and most not all but most people were slating him and dishing out a bit of a bollocking for being a "sell out" Have i missed something? I gave up paddling for about 5 years but i remember the reason i wanted to give kayaking a go. I was about 12 or 13 and saw SB on blue peter(children's show, for those that have never seen it) he was doing something extreme at the time and just thought to my self "i fancy a go at that" now ive never done anything near as extreme but it made me want to go and try kayaking. And im so glad it did because i love it.

Without going into the world record waterfall thing again, the guy is known for his records and pushing himself and the sport to new levels. Its not just the records or awards but the way he publicises the sport and shows the world that it exists. Not so long ago he was on top gear with the jet kayak VS landrover race. I must have missed something in the time that i took out from the sport?

The people commenting on UKRGB were saying he's a sell out for walking around in branded clothes and getting paid for his lifestyle. Surely this is what sponsored paddlers do?

I would have posted this on UKRGB but the last time i did post something i was made to feel 10 years old, they can be a bit brutal sometimes.

So, any help as to why some people have it in for Shaun?

Matt

It's easy to understand why. No one ever kicks a dead dog. Think about it...

Exactly. Haters--that's all. Guy figures out a way to get paid to pursue his passion full time and that's a bad thing? Well hell.

I wonder how surfing (at least in this country) has managed to avoid that pitfall. Surfers admire and recognize it as a 'score' if you get a clothing or equipment sponsor (any sponsor--you have arrived).

I don't know that site you mention too well. But something I don't think serves the kayaking world too well is the idea that everyone has to be river trash to be a 'real part of the sport.' There was a little bit of trash-talking about Eric Jackson for getting a beer sponsorship on another website (hey--people have opinions and that's what blogs and websites are for).

From what I have gathered SB has played the hero/brave guy card quite a lot.
I know several stories about him, and have actually had success with a girl who blew him off (different topic ).
But the stories more or less go that he is putting on lots of armor and a big helmet talking to the tv crew about how dangerous this run is and blebleble, mean while his safety boaters jump into their boats and run the water fall with no problems, no armors, and no glory.
There is one dramatic scene when he gets held under for 40 sec below a big water fall, which I also ran although at a lower water level than him. In the tv episode there is lots of drama, but what is left out is that his safety boaters ran the line before him with no problems.
I have also seen an image or a video of him running a water fall I know is about 12m and no one who runs it claims it to be higher, some say it is only 11m. In the text it said the fall was 15m when he ran it.

I don't want to cast judgement, but to me it seems he over sells what he is doing a bit. I can see how that might get on some peoples nerves. Sure he has pushed the envelope on some things, and good for him that he makes a living of paddling.

But in the end who cares. Weather some guy sold out or not does not change paddling for me and if I had the chance to get money to travel around and paddle cool places I would also add 3m to the height of my drops