Qualifications

Coach Level 4 A1*Sea
Coach Level 4 A1 River
Coach Level 3T Canoe
ACA advanced open water
5* Sea Kayak
5* River Kayak
4* Open Canoe
4* Surf

Personal Profile Age: 28

Having been born on the boarder of England and Wales I grew up with Welsh white water on my doorstep. My father is a level 4 coach and introduced me to kayaking at an early age. I took to it quickly and won some junior 12 and then later junior 14 slalom events. After getting a taste for traveling by visiting the Alps kayaking I then traveled around Central and South America experiencing the cultures and environments they had to offer. During my degree course in geography I ran the university canoe club and introduced people to the world that kayaking opens up. On completing my degree I traveled again this time to North America and Canada to experience the north western coastal environment. Once I had returned I finished of the organisation of a circumnavigation of the UK to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund in memory of my brother Mark. This event went better than I could have ever imagined and so I then organised and completed a solo circumnavigation of Ireland again for Leukaemia.

 
Areas Kayaked

UK
Ireland
France
USA (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts)
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Honduras
Australia
New Zealand
Singapore
Spain
Israel
Italy
Slovenia
Austria
Greece
Madagascar
Iceland

Sea Kayaking
The UK coastal environment is like no other in the world offering a wide variety of conditions to explore. I have been evolved in coaching at the Anglesey Sea and Surf centre with kayakers of varying abilities. Most of my sea kayaking experience has been gained from the Welsh coastal waters where tides and wind play a major role in any trip.

Madagascar 2007-9
During the winter of 2007-8 myself and Phil Clegg started a circumnavigation of Madagascar.  We intend to return during the winter 2008-9 to complete the challenge and become the first people to complete a circumnavigation.  For more info click here

Kayaking for cancer 2004
During the summer of 2004 I managed to complete a solo circumnavigation of Ireland in memory of my brother Mark. The trip pushed me more than I hoped it would with the bad weather of July. For more information please visit BBC website

Kayaking for cancer 2002
During the summer of 2002 I circumnavigated the UK in order to raise money for Leukaemia research. The expedition tested my sea kayaking skills and my mental strength. Some of the expedition was which became a real challenge in the bad weather of May and June. The experience I gained during the 4 months of solid sea kayaking has given be an enormous understanding of the marine environment.

European Alps
At the age of 12 I went on my first Alps trip and got the taste for the crisp glacial waters. Now 10 years latter I have been 7 times and led many different levels of paddler, from grade 2-5, down the many rivers the French, Swiss and Austrian Alps has to offer.

Inland Kayaking
I learnt most of my kayak handling skills out in the white water and was then able to transfer this into other disciplines. Being heavily evolved with local clubs I have led trips on most of the rivers of North and Mid Wales over the last 7 years gaining valuable experience at all levels. I regularly kayak grade 4-5 rivers.

Open Canoe Coaching
Working at a small outdoor center in Shrewsbury I gained experience in open canoeing with large groups young and old as well as disabled people. This improved my general group management skills and helped me learn how to communicate when coaching different types of client.

Surf Kayaking
Throughout the time spent at University I was a few minutes away from an amazing reef break that allowed me to get out on the water regularly. I competed for Wales in the world Championships in 2003.  Most of my time working in Israel was coaching various levels of surf kayaking.