About us at Sea Kayaking Wales | Our Story.

Founder, Co-Owner & Head Coach

BCU UKCC L3 Sea Kayak Coach (2014), Advanced Sea Kayak Coach, Moderate Water White Water Kayak Coach, Mountain Leader (summer), PGCE and PhD

Provider of:

BCAB Performance Coach, Sea Kayak Coach, Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue, Navigation Modules and Personal Performance Awards.

My enjoyment of outdoor adventures flourished as an undergraduate at Bangor University, where I met like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. Academic work took me next to Norwich, where I researched Plant Growth & Development at the John Innes Centre, but North Wales soon called me back.

After 12 years teaching Science and Outdoor Education mostly at Rydal Penrhos School and leading youth expeditions worldwide for Outlook Expeditions, I now run SKW’s Sea Kayaking Centre in Holyhead.

Together with my wife Kirsty and our three children, I’m proud to help foster a welcoming, adventurous community at Sea Kayaking Wales.

Co-Owner & Operations Manager

BA (Languages), PGCE, UKCC Level 1 Paddlesport Coach and Mountain Leader (summer)

Kirsty leads our administration and customer care.

She grew up exploring the wilderness on regular weekend family adventures and holidays. Her love of the hills and European travels brought her to Bangor University to study French, German and Spanish. Following her degree course, Kirsty embarked on teacher training and became a primary school teacher. She has lived in North Wales ever since.

Kirsty has paddled on the sea and in rivers widely in Europe and led youth expedition groups in SE Asia, North Africa and Central America. She now has a real passion for fell running, kayaking and biking with our family.

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, Advanced Sea Kayak Coach, PGCE and MA

Anita is passionate about the outdoors and wildlife, with 25 years of experience helping people connect with nature, landscapes, and heritage. Her deep interest in how people learn led her to complete an MA in Education, which enriches her approach to kayak coaching.

Anita regularly explores the tidal seas around Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula and has taken part in expeditions across Scotland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden.

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader

Based in Howth, near Dublin, Ireland, Ciaran is a regular presence on the waters of both Ireland and Anglesey. He brings exceptional energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to every coaching session.

Ciaran is a valued member of the sea kayaking communities in both Ireland and Anglesey, actively sharing his passion for paddling and skill development. In addition to his work with Sea Kayaking Wales, he also coaches with Shearwater Sea Kayaking near Dublin.

BC Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, BC Sea Kayak Coach, ML (summer)

Dave brings a unique blend of experience to our team, having balanced a career in Information Technology with Conwy Council alongside his passion for sea kayak coaching. Now retired, he dedicates more time to coaching, youth expeditions, and his work with Conway Outdoor Centre.

A committed scout leader, Dave has led young people on both paddling and land-based expeditions across the European Alps, Mediterranean, South America, Southeast Asia, Finland, and throughout the UK. His extensive background in outdoor leadership makes him a valuable mentor for developing paddlers and adventurers alike.

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader

Ed is most at home when he’s in the wilderness on expeditions. Originally from Cumbria, he learned to appreciate the outdoors through Lake District adventures. Backpacking, mountaineering and fell running with abandon. After moving to North Wales, sea kayaking became a natural extension of his outdoor pursuits. Since acquiring his first sea kayak in 2008, Ed has embraced opportunities to play in tideraces and embark on journeys with his camping kit, both solo and with friends. 

His adventures have taken him to many islands in Scotland, along Ireland’s Atlantic coastline, and on three expeditions to Arctic Norway, exploring the large islands of Sørøya and Senja, as well as the beautiful archipelagos around Sommarøy, Håja, Kvaløya, and Vengsøya.

BCAB Sea Kayak Leader and PGCE

Helen brings boundless enthusiasm to everything she does. After a successful career as a Maths Teacher and Assistant Head in Surrey, she embraced life in North Wales and all its outdoor adventures. As a GBR Triathlete, Helen has achieved impressive results, placing 5th and 6th in Bilbao in 2022 and 2023.

Her background in teaching shines through in her coaching—Helen has a remarkable ability to inspire confidence and help paddlers accomplish more than they thought possible.

BCAB Sea Kayak Leader

Helen is currently based in Somerset and brings a wealth of sea kayaking experience from years of paddling with local clubs and friends across the British Isles – and, more recently, in Arctic Norway. She holds a range of sea kayaking qualifications and is now offering her expertise as a freelance coach and guide.

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, Level 2 Coach

Jackie has a deep love for the sea and spends as much time in or on the water as possible. Now based in West Cornwall, she’s also called Dorset and Devon home, always staying close to the coast.

While Jackie enjoys every aspect of kayaking, her real passion lies in multi-day camping expeditions—she thrives on the adventure and camaraderie these journeys bring. In 2023, she co-led our Hebrides expedition, and last year she led our Pembrokeshire Away Trip, sharing her enthusiasm for exploring wild coastlines and camping under the stars.

BCAB Sea Kayak Leader, Aspirant Sea Kayak Coach & Advanced Leader, RYA Day Skipper and Coastal awards.

John’s introduction to kayaking began in 2022 when he attended the SKW 'Explorer' course with Geth. He quickly developed a passion for all aspects of sea kayaking, dedicating as much time as possible to expanding his skills and knowledge on the water.

John is not only a committed paddler but also a highly active member, coach, and organiser in both the Amlwch and Snowdonia Kayaks Clubs.

Through these roles, he supports club paddlers of all levels, helps coordinate events, and shares his enthusiasm for the sport with the wider kayaking community.

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, BC Guide, UKCC Level 2 Coach, ML (summer)

Kathy is one of our busiest and most popular sea kayak coaches (check out her reviews on Tripadvisor!). She is also super enthusiastic about sea kayaking, finding time to go boating even on her days off during the height of our summer season.

Kathy has been a Scouts volunteer for many years and has led youth expeditions to fantastic destinations abroad. Before joining SKW she worked at Plas Y Brenin Mountain Training Centre.

BCAB Sea Kayak Leader, Aspirant Sea Kayak Coach,

Mark is your ideal companion for exploring the Welsh coast. His six years of dedicated paddling on Anglesey have given him great local insight into its unique waters, while annual expeditions to the West Coast of Scotland showcase his ability in more remote and challenging conditions.

This rich paddling experience, combined with his proven coaching delivery as Head Coach for the GB Paraclimbing team, ensures every trip with Mark is not just an adventure, but also an opportunity for skill development and unforgettable memories.

BCAB Sea Kayak Leader, Advanced Canoe Leader, OC1 Leader, Summer Mountain Leader & First Aid Qualifications Provider

Nick brings over 25 years of experience in outdoor education, specialising in adventurous journeys for young people. As a qualified youth worker, much of his career has focused on delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and inspiring the next generation of explorers.

For the past decade, Nick has run Stepping Outdoors, guiding and mentoring young people on expeditions throughout the UK. When he’s not leading groups, you’ll find him kayak surfing or exploring North Wales by foot, sea kayak, or motorbike—always seeking the next adventure.

BCAB Advanced Sea Leader, BCU Level 4 Coach, MLTB Summer Award, RYA Instructor

Peter Jones is a highly experienced sea kayak instructor, formerly the chief instructor at the Anglesey Sea & Surf Centre. Now working as a freelance professional across North Wales, Pete brings a wealth of expertise to every adventure.

He has led and participated in major expeditions around the globe, including journeys along the West Coast of Canada, Nova Scotia, Israel, Holland, Spain, Ireland, the Outer Hebrides, St. Kilda, Orkney, and Greenland.

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, Aspirant Sea Kayak Coach

Steve has been working in outdoor education for more years than he cares to admit. He has spent his career working with diverse audiences and particularly young people in all manner of adventurous outdoor and environmental activities, but his true love lies with all things water, ever since he got in a kayak aged six. He started out as a teenage trainee kayak instructor and progressed to coach and guide inland kayak and canoe, has competed for Wales in surf kayaking and spent recent summers paddling and coasteering in Cornwall.

He loves surfing tide races and has undertaken and led many multiday expeditions in Wales and Scotland. Having gained qualifications in sea kayaking, he is now really enjoying sharing his passion for the sea.

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader, Aspirant Performance Coach (level 3)

Stuart began paddling at 15, exploring sea kayaking, canoeing, and wave skiing. His passion turned professional when he pursued Outdoor Education studies for his career.

Stuart, a friend, and his brother left Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in May 2012 in sea kayaks. They paddled 2,500 miles, around the British coast of returning 96 days later. This gave him the accolade of being the youngest sea kayaker to have circumnavigated Great Britain.  

Stuart is a highly skilled coach is technical water and very often coaches on our Dynamic Water Courses.

BCAB Advanced Water Sea Leader, Advanced Performance Coach, Sea Kayak Leader Moderate water trainer, Coaching award trainer and assessor (core, sheltered and sea kayak coach)

With over 30 years of experience navigating all kinds of watercraft, Sue brings a wealth of knowledge and a true spirit of adventure to our team. Her passion for exploring wild places has taken her across the globe, connecting deeply with nature and inspiring others to do the same.

Sue is also a qualified assessor of coaches and is deeply passionate about supporting the next generation of paddlesport leaders. She actively helps out with local clubs, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm to develop coaches and inspire paddlers at all levels.

Paddle UK PPA Provider, Canoe & Kayak Coach, Moderate Water & Open Water Leader, ML Summer, ML Winter, IML, RCI, DofE Assessor (Gold),

With over 40 years of experience in the outdoor industry, Tim has climbed, paddled, and explored on nearly every continent. As a highly qualified mountaineer and paddlesports coach, he brings a deep well of expertise and infectious enthusiasm to every adventure.

Tim holds an impressive array of qualifications in summer, winter, and international mountaineering, and collaborates with leading outdoor centres and organisations across the UK and beyond. His background as a retired Police officer (since 2011) has given him a unique perspective on leadership and risk management, which he now channels into his freelance work as an outdoor coach and expedition leader.

Having guided expeditions and treks throughout Europe and further afield, Tim is as comfortable on mountain ridges as he is on the water. He’s a seasoned paddler and coach, qualified in canoeing, river kayaking, and sea kayaking—on both rivers and open water.

Tim’s knowledge, approachable leadership style, and genuine passion for the outdoors make him an invaluable member of our team. He inspires everyone around him to push their boundaries, embrace adventure, and discover new possibilities—whether on the sea, in the mountains, or anywhere in between.