The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

From cycling to kayaking, Randy ‘Wolf’ Albury has made a transition in sports.

Albury, a former elite cyclist in the Bahamas Amateur Cycling Federation, has formed the Wolf’s Kayaking Club Bahamas with his wife, Cindy. They offer lessons and training, fun tours, eco-tours, safety, logistics and expeditions. The club also provided some support for the recent Potcakeman Triathlon at Jaws Beach and the Swift Swimming Club’s Ocean Race at the Palm Cay Resort on Saturday.

“I’ve been kayaking for the last 12 years,” Albury said. “But over the past six years, I have been getting more and more accreditation and now I’m at level three and the only certified kayaking coach in the Bahamas. Next year, I hope to get my level certification.”

While the Potcakeman Triathlon was a breeze as he put his skills to the test, Albury said they encountered some problems with the heavy winds during the Swift Ocean Race, but there wasn’t anything serious that really affected any of the swimmers as they completed the course.

“There was a little concern about our own safety because our safety comes first and then we could deal with the swimmers,” he said. “So we have to protect ourselves first and then we can take care of the swimmers. Fortunately for us, there was no serious injuries or any injuries that we had to deal with.”

When asked why the decision to get into kayaking after he retired from cycling, Albury said he wanted to take on a new challenge.

“When I turned 40, I realised that I had to make a decision between cycling on the road and kayaking,” he said. “I took the kayaking because it required more skills on the water. The road was basically a course that went up and down. But in kayaking, you have to develop more skills to be able to manage on the water. It’s very challenging.”

The challenge for Albury, as he continues to develop the sport and to eventually get more Bahamians involved, is to secure his level five certification which will allow him to deal with open water rescue and worldwide expeditions, something that very few people in the world have been able to achieve.

“I enjoy the sport because it gives me the opportunity to do a lot of travel as well,” said Albury. “Kayaking worldwide is a fraternity. We have about 12 active members right now and as we continue to develop the sport, we will be able to include more members.”

Cindy Albury said she has fallen in love again - this time with kayaking.

“It kind of works out your whole body and the fact that I always love the water, I enjoy swimming,” she said. “A lot of the times when we are out on the water, I like to go in and swim around. So I think that has really helped me to enjoy being a part of the sport.”

Hopefully next year, Albury said they intend to start putting on some competitions for their members, but the important thing is to make sure that everybody is properly prepared from a safety standpoint to be able to kayak. From there, Albury said the goal is to form the Bahamas Kayaking Association.

For those persons who are interested in getting involved in the sport, Albury said he would suggest that they get a kayaking lesson first, so that they can get a good feel of what they are getting into. During those lessons, Albury said the participants will be properly fitted with a lifevest and they will get a chance to feel what it is like to use the paddles.

“We teach all of the novices that safety comes first,” Albury said. “We are also a member of BASRA (the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association), so we have a responsibility to teach and promote safety first on the water. But we are open to anyone who is seriously interested in getting involved in the sport.”

Albury can be contacted at 455-9771 or wolfkayakingclubbahamas@gmail.com