Ian Vincent’s story is straight out of the Bollywood playbook. A thoroughbred Australian bloke writes letters to a stranger in India, decides to fly down to Kerala to catch a glimpse of the pen friend, falls in love, and finds his happily-ever-afters in the hilly terrains of Meghalaya. All of this over a sepia-tinted film roll would score high on the Tomatometer.
One would assume Ian was at peace. He definitely was until an old flame knocked on his door. No, there’s no plot twist here. Ian’s first love has always been canoeing; he has had the privilege of representing his country at the World Championships between 1980-83. So, when he settled down with his wife Sheila Vincent in the Abode of Clouds in 1997, he decided to touch base with the sport once again.
Ian Vincent representing his country at the World Championships between 1980-83.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Ian Vincent representing his country at the World Championships between 1980-83.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Around 28 years later, Ian, now 63, is seen lounging underneath a merciless Srinagar sun by the scenic Dal Lake on Thursday. Here’s where Khelo India’s latest offering, the inaugural edition of the Water Sports Festival, is being held. He is flanked by Sheila and a 27-year-old for company. The younger woman, a splitting image of Sheila, identifies as Elizabeth, the couple’s daughter.
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Interestingly, Elizabeth is something of a canoeing exponent herself, having represented the country in the sport in multiple events, including the recently concluded Asian Championship in China, and Meghalaya in National Games, the Malabar River Festival, and the Tawangchu Tides Festival in Arunachal Pradesh.
“I’m actually the person who started the Canoe Association in Meghalaya (three years ago). I introduced the sport in the state 10 years ago. We have around 25 students there now. We could only bring four for this event, though,” he, now a coach of the Meghalaya State canoeing team, says. One of those four being Elizabeth.
With Meghalaya set to play the central host of the National Games 2027, Ian is presently working with the State government to help set up a High-Performance Centre. It will be situated in Umtham, a quaint village which is also home to Whitewater Village, Ian’s own training academy.
Ian is now now a coach of the Meghalaya State canoeing team.
| Photo Credit:
Santadeep Dey
Ian is now now a coach of the Meghalaya State canoeing team.
| Photo Credit:
Santadeep Dey
“We started that as a training academy. We started about 10 years ago, and now the (State) government is planning to build a complete course there. I can’t speak for the other States, but we have a lot of good talent. And now we’re really focusing on a High-Performance training academy ahead of the 2027 Games.
“We are getting good results, good progress. It will provide the best canoe slalom course in India,” Ian says, his eyes suddenly dreamy, but his voice oozes confidence.
Ian has brothers and sisters who still live Down Under, but he hardly visits. He doesn’t feel the need to any more. “We love this place. The government is also very supportive of our work. So, we’re very happy here. It’s about way of life — we actually live on the very doorstep of the Whitewater Rapid River.”
Published on Aug 21, 2025
