2220
	Around Sweden June-July 2005 Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard - John Paul Bichard HOME     PUBLICITY     SUPPORT     ABOUT US    HYDROPIA
	A Bit About Us Preparations We are dedicated paddlers who have prepared for our trip in several ways. Our core training is a regular programme to build strength and stamina which includes 3-4 sessions per week in a kayak. We attended the Jersey Sea Kayaking symposium in 2004. 8 days of intense sea-kayaking; including on-water workshops in navigation, paddling in tidal races (6 knots in a force 4 wind) and extended day trips around the coast in challenging conditions. During the symposium we both gained BCU-awards; Louisa her 4-star sea kayak and John his 3-star.   In August 2004 we did a 6 day, 180 kilometre training trip around the Stockholm archipelago which culminated in paddling the Stockholm Canoe Marathon. This trip was focused on testing; our fitness levels, technique, personal equipment and kayaks. The opportunity to try out the Point65 XP's on a longer trip was very valuable and we were both impressed with the way they handle and the amount of food and equipment they carry. The trial was very successful and indicated that both our preparation and the type of equipment we intend using are of a high enough standard to meet the challenge. During the autumn and winter months we have updated and improved our safety and rescue techniques as well as first aid (the BCU Canoe Safety test, RYA First Aid and the Wilderness Medicine Institute Wilderness First Responder qualification). In addition we have researched nutrition and how to balance our food to make best use of it during our trip. We have spent the winter months poring over maps and charts, doing a comprehensive risk assessment and finalising what we need to bring with us. We are ready to go – just waiting for the sea to warm a little!     About us Louisa from Northern Sweden has lived in London since 2000. Professionally, she works with UWC (United World Colleges), an international education charity, where she is responsible for support and development of committees in 120 countries. Her work takes her around the world, often to countries rarely heard of. Before coming to London Louisa taught International Economics, International Politics and Geography in Stockholm for five years. Kayaking takes up much of her spare time, she started doing it seriously as it proved difficult to keep up skiing and long distance ice skating in London . When not in a boat Louisa enjoys spending time with friends (often over a good meal), watching films, exploring London on foot, reading and travelling.   John has worked as a digital artist since the early 90s, exhibiting internationally with shows in Portugal, the Netherlands, US and UK. Professional positions have included Creative director of two online games studios, Games editor and Head of Development at a mobile software engineering and research company (currently consulting for Virgin Mobile and T-mobile). He has worked for 2 years as part of the core team on Urban Tapestries, a public authoring research project based in London. John has just started collaborating with the Interactive Institute in Stockholm on a major mobile games research project. When not working on a project, or kayaking, John enjoys independent cinema, travel, fine cuisine and the occasional video game. You can see more about us here  Contact John Paul Bichard E-mail: john[at sign]hydropia[dot]org Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard E-mail: louisa[at sign]hydropia[dot]org Copyright Copyright © John Paul Bichard 2004,2005 © Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard 2004,2005. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, nor stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the authors with the exception of the case in which brief quotations are embodied in information, articles, etc,