‘Father’s Day, to me, is a lot like being single on Valentine’s Day’
‘Father’s Day, to me, is a lot like being single on Valentine’s Day’

Sarah Gill

Page Turners: ‘Thirst Trap’ author Gráinne O’Hare
Page Turners: ‘Thirst Trap’ author Gráinne O’Hare

Sarah Gill

Social photos from our Beyond the Awards: Stories of Success and Impact event
Social photos from our Beyond the Awards: Stories of Success and Impact event

Sarah Gill

Here are the interiors trends we’ll all be searching this summer (and how to shop them)
Here are the interiors trends we’ll all be searching this summer (and how to shop...

Megan Burns

‘Virtually everyone experiences imposter syndrome, from interns to C-suite executives’
‘Virtually everyone experiences imposter syndrome, from interns to C-suite executives’

Megan Burns

The best events happening around Ireland this weekend
The best events happening around Ireland this weekend

Sarah Gill

In Her Shoes: Silvana Landa McAdam of LANDA
In Her Shoes: Silvana Landa McAdam of LANDA

IMAGE

Conductor Orla Flanagan: ‘This concert explores human existence in different spheres’
Conductor Orla Flanagan: ‘This concert explores human existence in different spheres’

Sarah Gill

This 1970s Galway semi-d has been refreshed and revived
This 1970s Galway semi-d has been refreshed and revived

Nathalie Marquez Courtney

Material Intelligence: Meet the emerging designers from Ireland’s leading fashion colleges
Material Intelligence: Meet the emerging designers from Ireland’s leading fashion colleges

Ruth O'Connor

Image / Editorial

Meet Pip Stewart, the adventurer who believes life is worth living to the full


By Ellen Bird
14th Feb 2019
Meet Pip Stewart, the adventurer who believes life is worth living to the full

Paddling through Amazonian rivers and coming face to face with dangerous wildlife is all in a day’s work for Pip Stewart. ELLEN BIRD chats to the adventurer who believes life is worth living to the full.

ADDLING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE ESSEQUIBO RIVER was the first time I truly understood what it was like to be human. Myself and two friends decided to paddle the third-longest river in the Amazon after learning it had never been done before. None of us had much kayaking experience, which was hilariously terrifying, yet exciting. It was the most physical thing I’ve ever done. In preparation, we spent the winter training with the Wai Wai group in Guyana, the guides we paddled the river with. From spending months with this indigenous community, I learned about jungle survival and incredible life lessons – it was truly a privilege.

I’VE NEVER FOUND BEING A WOMAN TRAVELLER AN OBSTACLE. If anything, it’s been advantageous. I’ve experienced unbelievable hospitality. In certain cultures, mothers and children would trust me more, which has been amazing for opening up conversations and learning from them. There’s no denying women are more vulnerable, but listen to your gut, approach situations with more caution when alone, and trust your instincts.

AFTER ALMOST BEING ATTACKED BY THE JUNGLE’S MOST DANGEROUS SNAKE, the labaria, I really struggled mentally. My friend quickly killed the snake with his machete, but I had many sleepless nights after that. It forced me to confront the danger of what I was doing. I confided in my group that I was having a hard time processing it, and I overcame it with their support.

Catch Pip Stewart at the Thrive Festival at the Convention Centre Dublin March 30-31, thrivefestival.ie. 

Photography by Jon Williams. 

Read the full interview with Pip in the March issue of IMAGE Magazine, on sale nationwide now.