Paddle UK Coaching Podcast
- Episodes
- 100
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Nov 6, 2026
About the podcast
The Paddle UK Coaching Podcast is an opportunity to explore different topics around coaching with the team and a wide range of expert guests from the paddling community, all with a wealth of knowledge to share.
Episodes 100
S8 Ep3 Knee Braces Heavy Heads and a £10 Note with Laura Wynne
Laura Wynne has been working in the white water paddling industry for around 20 years. Laura first got into paddling at college before going on to work with PGL and at various outdoor centres. She spent several …
Show notes
Laura Wynne has been working in the white water paddling industry for around 20 years. Laura first got into paddling at college before going on to work with PGL and at various outdoor centres. She spent several years at River Dart Country Park, where she did much of her paddling and coaching on the River Dart. Laura works extensively with #ShePaddles; helping to encourage and support more women into white water paddling and develop their skills and confidence on the water.
Laura now runs her own company, Wynne Kayak Adventures, where she provides coaching throughout the year, with a particular focus on winter coaching.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
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S8 Ep2 Ducks, a Throw Line, and a Rock with Lucy Downer
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Emma Love, chats with Lucy Downer. Lucy’s first experience in a boat was a 6-day charity canoe marathon in 2013, having never paddled before. After 127 miles …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Emma Love, chats with Lucy Downer.
Lucy’s first experience in a boat was a 6-day charity canoe marathon in 2013, having never paddled before. After 127 miles paddling down the Thames, she was hooked! She began coaching a year later and is now a Sheltered Water Performance Coach (Canoe), a Moderate Water Canoe Leader, and the Head Canoe Coach at Falcon Boat Club in Oxford. Over the years, she has dabbled in sea kayaking, white water kayaking and most recently marathon racing, but canoeing always remains her first love, and the focus of her coaching.
Teaching is a big part of Lucy’s life - when not in a boat, she works as a professional musician and woodwind teacher. She enjoys exploring the pedagogical links between canoeing and clarinet-playing and recently completed an MA in Woodwind Teaching in which she studied cross-discipline strategies for performance preparation.
At Falcon, Lucy spends most of her time working with paddlers on the Thames and Cherwell, a largely sheltered water environment - although it can get pretty feisty in the winter! She leads a team of 16 volunteer coaches, supporting over a hundred canoeists at all levels from beginner to advanced. She particularly enjoys the challenge of helping experienced paddlers continue to develop their skills, when the club’s sheltered environment no longer presents much difficulty.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
Book ref: Rob Gray: The advanced ecological approach to skill development and maintenance (©️2025, Perception Action Consulting & Education LLC)
S8 Ep1 The Complexities of Coaching with Jenna Sanders
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your new host, Emma Love, and Jenna Sanders chat about the Performance Coach Pathway, what good coaching is and all its complexities. Plus, we explore what steps we can …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your new host, Emma Love, and Jenna Sanders chat about the Performance Coach Pathway, what good coaching is and all its complexities. Plus, we explore what steps we can take to invest in our coaching practise so that we become really good at what we do.
Jenna has been working in paddlesports for about 20 years, starting out as a freelance instructor, working up to centre manager, before deciding to become self-employed.
At the end of 2018, she decided to go it alone and start up Flying Gecko, to concentrate more on what she really enjoys - being out on the water with paddlers, leaders and coaches, helping them to achieve their paddling goals, and trying to make sure they have a great time doing so.
Jenna is a performance coach in both advanced open water canoe, and open water SUP, as well as an advanced white water canoe coach, a BCU level 3 white water kayak coach, and a SUP coastal leader. Jenna is a provider of many Paddle UK qualifications and awards in personal performance, leadership, coaching and safety, mainly across the multi-craft, SUP and canoe disciplines. She is also really proud to be a part of Paddles Up Training's National Trainer team, helping to train, moderate and sign-off providers of the Coach Award, as well as several leadership, safety and instructor awards.
Jenna is a member of the Touring Technical Group, and Chair of the Canoe Technical Group, and really loves being able to play a small part to help shape the content and awards that BCAB develops.
Whether she’s coaching, running courses, assessing or working with new providers, she works hard to create a friendly and enjoyable learning environment, where experimentation is encouraged and making mistakes is valued and embraced for the learning that it provides. Her aim is to help paddlers, leaders and coaches develop into independent learners with the ability to problem solve, be creative, and to analyse their own performance. She wants everyone to leave her courses feeling more capable and fired up then they started.
Jenna's aim with everyone that she works with is to be a small part of their long term enjoyment of the sport. She is also committed to her own ongoing learning, development and curiosity about paddling and coaching. She has recently completed an MSc in coach development at Leeds Beckett University, and is really enjoying putting all that new learning into practice, in everything that she does.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep13 Georgina Maxwell Handover to Emma Love
In this final episode of series 7 of the Coaching Podcast, your host, Georgina Maxwell, hands over the microphone to our new host, Emma Love. Based in the East Midlands, UK, Emma Love began paddling at the age …
Show notes
In this final episode of series 7 of the Coaching Podcast, your host, Georgina Maxwell, hands over the microphone to our new host, Emma Love.
Based in the East Midlands, UK, Emma Love began paddling at the age of 46. In 2021 she set up her coaching business, Wotbikini Stand Up Paddleboarding, with a simple but powerful aim: to support women in building their skills, knowledge and confidence on the water, while creating a strong sense of community. Emma’s ongoing fascination with all things coaching has led her to progress as a provider in the Sheltered Water environment and to begin her Performance Coach pathway.
Recognised by Paddle UK for her commitment to supporting women on the water, Emma has been a #ShePaddles Ambassador and was shortlisted two years running for the Delivery Partner Awards in the Quality and Engagement categories.
Alongside paddling, Emma began writing, with articles first published online by Paddle UK. Over the past three years she has interviewed inspiring women coaches, providers, paddlers and fellow #ShePaddles Ambassadors for SUPMag UK, sharing their individual journeys and experiences from across the sport.
And when she’s not on a paddleboard, Emma is more often than not exploring white water kayaking. And always with a huge splash of laughter!
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep12 Canoe and Kayak - Momentum, Angles, Trim and Edge with Ollie Sandeman
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, talks with Ollie Sandeman. Ollie brings over twenty years of industry experience to every trip and coaching session. Ollie has worked …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, talks with Ollie Sandeman.
Ollie brings over twenty years of industry experience to every trip and coaching session. Ollie has worked extensively as a freelance paddlesport coach, guide, and Paddle UK provider for multiple organisations across the UK. He also spent 15 months living and working in New Zealand, where he safety kayaked and ran an ecological kayak tour company. Living on the West Coast of the South Island gave Ollie access to some of the best white water New Zealand has to offer, right on his doorstep.
Ollie has also paddled extensively throughout Wales, Scotland, the French Alps, and in Sweden and Italy. He has led multiple canoe expeditions into the Canadian Wilderness.
Ollie believes it is essential for any coach to remain active and passionate. He regularly pushes his personal development on the amazing white water of North Wales, taking annual, personal canoe expeditions in Scotland, and is always seeking the next challenge.
Ollie founded the ‘Sandeman Canoe Company’ in 2019 and although taking a two-year break to serve as the Head of Paddlesports at Plas y Brenin, he eventually returned to where his heart lies: running the Sandeman Canoe Company.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep11 Paddling, Philosophy and Play: A Conversation with George Fell
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with George Fell. George is a paddler first, but also a coach and coach educator. He's based in the Scottish Highlands and loves Sea …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with George Fell.
George is a paddler first, but also a coach and coach educator. He's based in the Scottish Highlands and loves Sea Kayaks, Open Canoes, White Water Kayaks and the entertaining people who choose to sit inside them. Over the last thirty something years, he's had lots of adventures around the world, and he's now not sure whether to be proud of the achievements or ashamed of the environmental impact!
George loves thinking about how paddling works and how people learn, but also loves being in the moment, on a wave, just reacting and not thinking at all. In this podcast, George will explore what makes a good coach and how to continually improve as a coach. As a metrologist, he also touches on the topic of environmental impact.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep10 Good Paddling Technique for a Happy Body with Jamie Greenhalgh
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with Jamie Greenhalgh. Jamie is a specialist, white water kayaking coach and is on the BCAB White Water Technical Group. His business …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with Jamie Greenhalgh.
Jamie is a specialist, white water kayaking coach and is on the BCAB White Water Technical Group. His business, Paddle365, delivers white water skills courses throughout the year as well as leadership, coaching and safety training for Paddle UK. His approach to coaching prioritises learning through adventure and challenge, and helping paddlers to feel the joy of skilful movement in a boat.
In this episode, we discuss how good technique can be used to maintain a happy paddling body by lining up your limbs to create a system of load-sharing while paddling. This takes the pressure away from individual joints and has a side effect of making you more efficient, more powerful and more stable in the boat.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep9 Thrilling Adventures: Sea Kayak Guiding, Coaching and Expedition Paddling with Will Copestake
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with Will Copestake. Born in the north west Highlands of Scotland, Will is a passionate kayaker and general outdoors enthusiast. As …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast your host, Georgina Maxwell, speaks with Will Copestake.
Born in the north west Highlands of Scotland, Will is a passionate kayaker and general outdoors enthusiast. As the operator of Kayak Summer Isles, a small sea kayaking company in his hometown of Ullapool, Will spends most of his summers sharing adventures on the Scottish west coast by sea kayak. In the winter, he has spent a decade guiding and exploring the fjords of Chilean Patagonia and more recently Antarctica. Will’s coaching philosophy is to provide his guests with the skills and knowledge they need to experience meaningful adventure through their own tools, confidence and comfort.
Will has a degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education and is passionate in sharing what he knows of the wonders of ornithology, geology, zoology and ecology on his trips.
Will has enjoyed numerous personal expeditions around the world and is most known for his ‘Machair to Munro’ expedition, a 364 day long epic to circumnavigate Scotland by kayak and complete a largely winter ascent of Scotland's 282 Munro mountains. For this, he was awarded both Scottish and UK National Adventurer of the Year in 2015. This was followed by a round of the 222 winter Corbett mountains in 2017. In Patagonia, Will has explored over 2000km of the Chilean fjords by kayak over a number of self-supported expeditions. Most recently, Will embarked on a 280km solo adventure through the western fjords of Norway in a fold up kayak.
You can find Will by his business www.kayaksummerisles.com or on socials under @WillCopestake.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep8 Your Skills and Development with Ken Hughes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, Georgina speaks to Ken Hughes. Ken is one of Europe's top canoeists, a Paddle UK national trainer, mountain climbing instructor, technical adviser, and ambassador. This …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, Georgina speaks to Ken Hughes. Ken is one of Europe's top canoeists, a Paddle UK national trainer, mountain climbing instructor, technical adviser, and ambassador. This is Ken's second Paddle UK podcast, having previously discussed coaching canoeing with Pete Catterall. Ken runs a wide variety of Paddle UK courses but significantly is wider known for his skills, and his development programs.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep7 Women's Health with Dr. Jagruti Amin
Happy International Women’s Day 2026! In this special episode of the Coaching Podcast, Georgina talks all things Women’s Health with a focus on paddling with her guest Dr Jagruti Amin (Jag) who has been a white …
Show notes
Happy International Women’s Day 2026! In this special episode of the Coaching Podcast, Georgina talks all things Women’s Health with a focus on paddling with her guest Dr Jagruti Amin (Jag) who has been a white water kayaker since 2013 and is a member of Paddle UK. It’s an almost hour long whirlwind tour from the teenage years through to the menopause, with something in it for everyone. There’s a crib sheet with resources and links available so you don’t have to scribble them down.
Jag is a GMC registered Dr (4645311) who qualified and started seeing patients in 1999 but had to give up her Licence to Practise in 2018 because of psoriatic arthritis. After studying medicine at the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford she started her career in hospitals training in medicine. She started specialist training in Haematology before deciding to move to the world of General Practice in 2006 which included a 6 month training post in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. As a fully fledged GP she had an interest in Women’s Health, Contraception, Sexual Health and Safeguarding. For several years she also held separate roles as a Contraception and Sexual health Dr and a Named GP for Safeguarding Children. She was involved in medical politics as a representative on her Local Medical Council. Despite no longer seeing patients she’s remained passionate about Women’s Health and women advocating for themselves. A special thanks goes to Dr Kaye Brennan who is a GP, a Specialist Sports & Exercise Medicine Dr, a Council Member of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine and also works for the Ministry of Defence for her help and guidance in some of the more specialist areas in this podcast.
The information provided in this podcast and the associated resources are current as of 26th February 2026. A reminder that the information is not individual medical advice and that any personal medical issues that come to light should be discussed with your own healthcare professional (such as a GP, Consultant, Specialist Nurse, Midwife, or Health Visitor). Dr Amin has not received any payment for this podcast, and is not sponsored by any organisation or company.
All resources and links are current as of 26th February 2026 and are NOT to be used independently of the podcast. They do not constitute medical advice. All personal medical issues must be discussed with your own healthcare professional.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
NHS Website: www.nhs.uk as a start for everything
Women & Sport
- Women in Sport ‘Reframing Sport for Teenage Girls Tackling Teenage Disengagement’ 2022 https://womeninsport.org/ wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-Reframing-Sport-for-Teenage-Girls-Tackling-Teenage-Disengagement.pdf
- Call it What it is Period https://thewell-hq.com/menstrual-cycle/calling-it-a-period-and-only-a-period-matters/
- The Red Box Project https://redboxproject.org/
- Also look at the British Rowing & British Swimming websites
Nutrition
- Project RED-S red-s.com
- BEAT https://www.beateatiorg.uk/
- UK Sports Institute Nutrition Guidelines https://uksportsinstico.uk/resource/sports-nutrition-fundamentals-to-improve-performance/
- The British Dietetic Association https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/sport-exercise-nutritihtml
- NHS Vitamin D Guidance https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
All things Period, Contraception & Sexual Health
- Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/
- Brook https://www.brook.org.uk/
- Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/
- National Association for Premenstrual Syndromes https://www.pms.org.uk/
- A Young Person’s Guide to Premenstrual Syndromes https://www.pms.org.uk/app/uploads/2021/09/A-Young-Persons-Guide-to-Premenstrual-Syndromes-8.pdf
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/
- Endometriosis https://www.endometriosis-uk.org
- Contraception & Sexual Health COSRH https://www.contraceptiorg/
- Sexual Health Clinic Information https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/
Menstrual Cycle Training & Injuries
- British Journal of Sports Medicine Blog 2025 https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2025/11/03/can-the-menstrual-cycle-phase-impact-sports-performance/
- UEFA Consensus Statement on Menstrual Cycle Tracking in Football 21st September 2025 https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/ content/11/3/e002769
Teenagers & Exercise
- Models used: The “Control–Capacity–Sport” model, The 4-Stage Youth Return-to-Sport Framework, The IOC “Youth Athlete Development Model”, Graduated loading principles (10% rule, staged impact progression)
- A non UK article from Sport New Zealand https://balanceisbettorg.nz/how-much-is-too-much-when-it-comes-to-youth-sport/
Pelvic Floor
- Pelvic Obstetrics & Gynaecology Physiotherapy https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/pelvic_health_advice.aspx
- Squeezy App £2.99 https://squeezyapp.com/women/about-squeezy-for-women/
- Commercial devices with feedback Perifit & Elvie
Pregnancy (In partnership with your healthcare professionals)
- International Olympic Committee https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Athletes/Medical-Scientific/
Consensus-Statements/BJSM-Exercise-and-pregnancy-in-recreational-and-elite-athletes-Part-5-recommendations-for-health-professionals-and-active-women.pdf
Pregnancy Continued (In partnership with your healthcare professionals)
- NHS Website https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/pregnancy/
- UK Guidelines for Activity in Pregnancy https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/620a28288fa8f54916f45dfc/ physical-activity-for-pregnant-women.pdf & https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise/
- Faculty of Sports & Exercise Medicine (FSEM) Moving Medicine Patient Information https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pregnancy_Patipdf
- Active Pregnancy Foundation Questionnaire ‘Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy’ https:// activepregnancyfoundation.org/_files/ugd/4c66ce_88e9ebbdad8748e7ab75d67815c76dcc.pdf
- Pelvic Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/ pregnancy_and_early_postnatal.aspx
- Tommy’s The Pregnancy & Baby Charity https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-in
S7 Ep6 Kayak Progression - Waterfall Techniques and Creek Boating with Alex Littlechild
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, your host Georgina Maxwell talks to Alex Littlechild about kayak progression, waterfall techniques and creek boating. Alex discusses his ‘trifecta’ theory of creek …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, your host Georgina Maxwell talks to Alex Littlechild about kayak progression, waterfall techniques and creek boating. Alex discusses his ‘trifecta’ theory of creek boating, which categorises paddlers into mathematicians, reactionists, and expressionists. He emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, explaining how he uses video analysis, peer feedback, and constant repetition to master complex freestyle moves. Throughout the conversation, Alex provides practical advice for aspiring kayakers. Alex started his paddling journey on the Thames and has dedicated his life to chasing, flow state, waterfalls and skill mastery. He is an international white water coach, working for businesses around the world, teaching advanced kayakers to master their waterfall technique and working with young people on their first time in a kayak on white water. Alex has a passion for downriver freestyle, waterfall kayaking and white water philosophy; all of which are touched upon in this episode.To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep5 Slalom secrets for white water with Andy Kettlewell
Andy Kettlewell has been on the water since he was nine years old — one six-week intro course and he was hooked for life. From early days jumping into every boat he could find, to a decade of mastering slalom …
Show notes
Andy Kettlewell has been on the water since he was nine years old — one six-week intro course and he was hooked for life. From early days jumping into every boat he could find, to a decade of mastering slalom racing at the top level, Andy’s swapped racing gates for raw adventure.
These days, Andy’s all about chasing the fun — big rivers, bigger drops, and even bigger adventures. Now a proud, sponsored paddler for Palm Equipment, he’s transferred the precision of a slalom racer to the wild side of white water, sharing stories from epic expeditions and the lessons learned along the way.
In this episode of the Coaching podcast, Andy talks with your host Georgina Maxwell about those learnings he’s transferred between the two disciplines and some insight into learnings a white water kayaker can take from that.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep4 All Things Coaching with Lowri Davies
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, your host Georgina Maxwell discusses All Things Coaching with Lowri Davies. Lowri has been working at the cutting edge of white water coaching and guiding around the …
Show notes
In this episode of the Coaching Podcast, your host Georgina Maxwell discusses All Things Coaching with Lowri Davies.
Lowri has been working at the cutting edge of white water coaching and guiding around the world for almost 20 years. Her North Wales-based company, FlowFree, runs the full spectrum of white water and freestyle courses as well as some exciting overseas trips to places such as the Zambezi and Norway. Lowri's passion for helping each paddler to unlock the most joy from their paddling experiences has led to a strong reputation for her work on mindset and confidence, as well as in the fields of advanced white water and freestyle. She combines all of these aspects on FlowFree's renowned "Grade 3 shenanigans" and "Play the River" courses. She's also the lead organiser for DeeFest - a festival that focuses on inclusivity, community, silliness and above all good fun!
In this episode, Lowri and Georgina discuss the evolution of coaching, emphasising the need to move beyond rigid rules towards a more progressive culture that encourages confidence in learners. Lowri advocates for teaching concepts and variables rather than fixed strategies, allowing paddlers to explore and adapt to dynamic water conditions. She highlights a key element of performance and confidence is connectivity and proper boat outfitting, stressing the importance of maximizing body-to-kayak contact to ensure comfort, control, and effective power transfer. Lowri’s current focus is on maintaining a playful mindset in kayaking and enjoying the learning curve of her new venture into surf kayaking.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep3 All Things Wilderness Expeditions with Richard Harpham
Richard and Georgina discuss the importance of personal experience in coaching and leading expeditions, as well as risk management in remote locations and the necessity of contingency and repair kits due to the …
Show notes
Richard and Georgina discuss the importance of personal experience in coaching and leading expeditions, as well as risk management in remote locations and the necessity of contingency and repair kits due to the increased probability of equipment failure over time. Richard also distinguishes between the roles of a leader and a guide, and introduces the 1, 2, 3 Mentoring model to foster growth and shared knowledge.
Richard Harpham is an Adventurer, Author, Speaker and Social Entrepreneur. His lifetime of adventures include over 15,000 miles of expeditions in wilderness locations by ski, bike, kayak, canoe and SUP.
His adventures include canoeing the Yukon, sea kayaking 1,000 miles from Vancouver to Alaska, London to Marrakech by bike and kayak, as well as sea kayaking the channel 3 times. The New York Spare Seat Kayak Expedition won the international travel marketing award valued at 1 million dollar PR campaign and was shared with over 200 million people. Richard has paddled over 100 UK destinations to research and compile a new book, Great British Paddling Adventures. His latest adventure has been to build an off-grid farm house and farm to restore orchards.
Richard has featured on regional TV and BBC1 on many occasions covering his adventure exploits and speaks regularly to schools and national shows about building adventure and the great outdoors into their lives.
Richard has explored much of the UK hiking, biking and paddling, seeking out hidden gems and forgotten trails in his spare time, whether wild camping or embracing van life, he is often found well off the beaten track with his four dogs in tow.
Rich and his wife Ash run Canoe Trail, A Paddle UK Delivery Partner, watersports, expeditions and adventure business with 20 instructors and coaches. Canoe Trail has several staff who are providers of Paddle UK qualifications including Paddle Sports Instructor, PSRC, PSL, Touring Leader, SUP Instructor and the Guide Modules. Canoe Trail run 14 expeditions a year plus the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme . See more here www.canoetrail.co.uk
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep2 Master your Kayak and the Environment with Doug Cooper!
Doug Cooper has worked as an instructor, coaching and guiding for over 35 years, with a passion for sharing knowledge in a way that empowers others to develop their skills, experience and confidence to achieve …
Show notes
Doug Cooper has worked as an instructor, coaching and guiding for over 35 years, with a passion for sharing knowledge in a way that empowers others to develop their skills, experience and confidence to achieve their outdoor goals. For the last 25 years, a focus of Doug’s coaching has been paddlesport coach/leadership development where he provides training/assessment courses to support future instructors. His specialism is sea kayaking and in this he has published Sea Kayak Handling and Rough Water Sea Kayak Handling, both books designed to support paddlers to develop their skills; this to hopefully take them on trips they aspire to achieve. Doug’s passion is sharing knowledge and doing this by taking people to good places, to do good things when sea kayaking!
https://scottishseakayaking.co.uk/
Paddling smart – the technical and tactical consideration for working with your kayak and the environment to make life easier.
This podcast conversation will use turning in the wind as the basis to explore the concept of how if we ‘listen to our kayak’ and ‘feel what our kayak’ wants to do and how it is interacting with the environment, it will help us become more efficient in our paddling. This, done by considering how things like speed, trim and timing can be used as tactics to make turning in the wind easier by helping the kayak do what it naturally wants to do in the wind; then considering which technical strokes we can then add to aid this further. Having explored this as a concept, we finish the conversation by considering how this can then be taken into other environments, perhaps rock hopping, tide or surf; and maybe adding further tactical considerations of angle, positioning and edge while always listening and feeling what the kayak wants to do and then adding technical strokes to help it. It’s all about understanding what works and then ‘paddling smart’ to hopefully make life easier!
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S7 Ep1 All things River Play with Chris Evans
Georgina Maxwell hosts the first episode of series 7 of the Coaching Podcast, chatting all things River Play with Chris Evans. Chris grew up paddling on the Thames where slalom and freestyle kayaking were all …
Show notes
Georgina Maxwell hosts the first episode of series 7 of the Coaching Podcast, chatting all things River Play with Chris Evans.
Chris grew up paddling on the Thames where slalom and freestyle kayaking were all the rage, at the age of sixteen he was taken to a ‘real’ river and the rest is history. Twenty six years later and he’s not only keeping the slalom and freestyle in his river paddling but he’s now coaching the movements as part of his work as a full time paddlesport coach. Chris is also part of the British Canoeing Awarding Body EQA team.
Georgina and Chris discuss –
- all the elements behind playing the river, from finding the joy of a soul surf to impressing your mates with the often-illusive endless tailies.
- how to get started and what would make a suitable river play kayak
- how to get one step ahead of a boats movement when being pushed around in moving water
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep14 Chris Brain welcomes new podcast host Georgina Maxwell
Chris is officially handing the podcast to Georgina Maxwell for the next 12 months! Georgina will be taking the microphone and interviewing a whole host of different guests focusing on the technical and …
Show notes
Chris is officially handing the podcast to Georgina Maxwell for the next 12 months!
Georgina will be taking the microphone and interviewing a whole host of different guests focusing on the technical and tactical elements of coaching different paddlesport disciplines.
Georgina lives in the north of Scotland and is predominantly a white water paddler but comes with a whole range of paddlesport experience. Georgina is also a winter mountaineering climbing instructor and has a diverse range of knowledge to bring to the podcast. Having worked at Glenmore Lodge, Plas-y-Brenin, with the British military amongst a whole host of other paddlers, clubs and groups, Georgina is a well known and well respected paddler and coach.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
A big thank you to Chris for the last 12 months. All of his previous episodes can be downloaded here if you need to catch up:
S6 Ep.13 A Lifetime's Experience with Ray Goodwin - Paddlesports, Clients and Learning - Part 2
Ray Goodwin is back for part two of his conversation with Chris, talking about his extensive experience of coaching paddlers. Ray Goodwin is a world-renowned canoeist, coach, and author. He has been paddling …
Show notes
Ray Goodwin is back for part two of his conversation with Chris, talking about his extensive experience of coaching paddlers.
Ray Goodwin is a world-renowned canoeist, coach, and author. He has been paddling for over 50 years. Ray has coached paddlers of all ages and abilities and is known for his patient and encouraging approach and his ability to help paddlers overcome their fears and reach their full potential. Ray is a true pioneer in the world of canoeing, he has helped to shape the sport and has inspired countless paddlers around the world. He is a true legend and his legacy will continue to inspire paddlers for generations to come.
The topics discussed by Chris and Ray include:
- Breaking in and out of an eddy
- Modifying turns using the paddle
- Canoe Sailing
- Using video as a tool within coaching
- Continuing to stay motivated as a paddler and current as a coach
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.12 A Lifetime's Experience with Ray Goodwin - Paddlesports, Clients and Learning - Part 1
Ray Goodwin is the guest for this episode talking to Chris about his lifetime coaching paddlesport. Ray Goodwin is a world-renowned canoeist, coach, and author. He has been paddling for over 50 years. Ray has …
Show notes
Ray Goodwin is the guest for this episode talking to Chris about his lifetime coaching paddlesport.
Ray Goodwin is a world-renowned canoeist, coach, and author. He has been paddling for over 50 years. Ray has coached paddlers of all ages and abilities and is known for his patient and encouraging approach and his ability to help paddlers overcome their fears and reach their full potential. Ray is a true pioneer in the world of canoeing, he has helped to shape the sport and has inspired countless paddlers around the world. He is a true legend and his legacy will continue to inspire paddlers for generations to come.
The topics discussed by Chris and Ray include:
- Ray’s journey into paddlesports.
- Building relationships, understanding clients' needs, and adapting to suit their individual experiences and skill levels.
- Listening to clients, acknowledging their fears, and creating a positive and encouraging learning environment.
- Continuous learning, challenging established ideas and trying new approaches.
- The inner game, a concept focusing on the mental aspects of skill acquisition.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.11 Coaching Rafting with Gareth Wilson - A Teamwork Adventure
Gareth Wilson is the guest for this episode talking to Chris Brain about Raft Coaching. Gareth Wilson is a Level 4 coach, has an MSc is Coaching from Loughborough University and the interim head of slalom …
Show notes
Gareth Wilson is the guest for this episode talking to Chris Brain about Raft Coaching.
Gareth Wilson is a Level 4 coach, has an MSc is Coaching from Loughborough University and the interim head of slalom operations. Whilst a majority of Gareth's coaching over the last 16 years has been in the world of canoe slalom, he has also coached white water rafting on the international stage. He's explored his practice across a number of paddlesports and is a qualified basketball and a trained Co-Active coach. He loves discussing coaching over a cup of tea or whilst out for a long run and relishes the opportunity to learn from other people, practices and professions.
The topics discussed by Chris and Gareth:
- Teamwork in rafting
- Coaching techniques
- On- and off-water coaching
- Giving feedback to a team
- Community in rafting
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.10 Elevate your Stand Up Paddleboard Coaching Skills with Caz Dawson
Caz Dawson is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching stand up paddleboarding. Caz delivers a broad range of SUP coaching and guided adventures through her …
Show notes
Caz Dawson is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching stand up paddleboarding.
Caz delivers a broad range of SUP coaching and guided adventures through her business SUP Lass Paddle Adventures, based in Northeast Wales. From beginner sessions through to multi day trips, she caters for all levels and paddle abilities. She specialises in SUP, being both a White Water Coach and Coastal Leader. She is currently an aspirant tutor, working towards a number of SUP award providerships.
Caz is a Paddle UK Delivery Partner and earlier this year won the Commitment to the Environment award for her sustainable business practices.
For further information visit: www.suplass.com or give SLPA a follow on Facebook or Instagram.
The topics discussed by Chris and Caz include:
- Beginner SUP Coaching Techniques
- Advanced SUP Coaching and Skill Development
- SUP Turning Techniques
- Whitewater SUP Skills
- Coastal SUP Skills
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.9 Coaching White Water Kayaking - Refining your Technique with Ian Adey
Ian Adey is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching white water kayaking. Ian is a Level 5 Kayak Coach and Advanced Canoe Coach who runs Kinetic Paddlesports …
Show notes
Ian Adey is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching white water kayaking.
Ian is a Level 5 Kayak Coach and Advanced Canoe Coach who runs Kinetic Paddlesports based in the Lake District. He got hooked on watersports in his early teens and is still obsessed.
Ian is passionate about passing on the most up to date technical knowledge and modern techniques. His focus is on explaining paddling with simple terms, free of jargon. He is a firm believer that what we coach beginner and intermediate paddlers should still work in advanced conditions, and continue to work wherever people take their paddling.
The topics discussed by Chris and Ian include:
- Common misconceptions for white water paddling
- Edging vs leaning
- Vertical paddle strokes
- Self-analysis and use of video when coaching
- Evolution of white water techniques
- Remembering to play on the river
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.8 The Complex Role of the Race Coach with Hannah Brown - Maximising Performance in Paddling
Hannah Brown is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching racing. Hannah currently works as a Podium Technical Coach within the Great British Paranoe team in …
Show notes
Hannah Brown is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching racing.
Hannah currently works as a Podium Technical Coach within the Great British Paranoe team in Nottingham, recently returned from the most successful Paralympic Games in Paris. Previous to this she has spent nearly two decades enjoying a range of racing disciplines in paddlesport, ranging from winning World Championships in Wild Water Racing to being a long standing member of the Sprint Canoe Women's Kayak Team. Still coaching across the pathways in Wild Water racing, she brings a naturally analytic view of coaching from her background in Performance Analysis, alongside a range of coaching skills from different experiences within race disciplines.
The topics discussed by Chris and Hannah include:
- The complex role of a race coach
- Identifying areas for small competitive gains
- The balance of technical and physical aspects of paddling race craft
- Using modern tools and data to enhance coaching
- Life long performance in race paddling
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.7 Thrilling Adventures - Coaching Sea Kayaking, SUP, Packrafting and Expedition Canoeing with Matt Haydock and Dave Janes Jnr.
Matt Haydock and Dave Janes are the guests for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching sea kayaking, SUP, packrafting and expedition canoeing! Matt Haydock and Dave Janes are …
Show notes
Matt Haydock and Dave Janes are the guests for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching sea kayaking, SUP, packrafting and expedition canoeing!
Matt Haydock and Dave Janes are the founders and lead coaches/guides for Paddle International. As well as being best friends, they are two highly experienced and qualified paddlesport professionals, who have both worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, including both national centres. They are multi-disciplined paddlers and coaches - working and playing in sea kayaks, white water kayaks, open canoe, SUP and packraft. They also both work as National Trainers for Paddle UK - not only working as leadership and coach educators, but also training/assessing other providers. Matt (based in Scotland) and Dave (based in North Wales) are also experienced and practiced expeditioners, passionate about, and driven by, adventure. They have undertaken and led expeditions in the far corners of the world, from the Nepalese Himalaya, most of Europe, and North America; and love sharing and supporting challenging wilderness experiences with others.
The topics discussed include:
- Changing gears in a sea kayak
- Crossing over from white water to tide races
- Coaching packrafting
- Expedition paddling in canoes
- Exploring decision making with students
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.6 Canoe Twister: Playful approaches to Canoe coaching with Beth Wallis
Beth Wallis is the guest for this episode of the podcast, talking about introducing beginners to canoe paddling. Beth is an active paddlesports coach based in Scotland and runs her own business …
Show notes
Beth Wallis is the guest for this episode of the podcast, talking about introducing beginners to canoe paddling.
Beth is an active paddlesports coach based in Scotland and runs her own business Explore-Connect-Enjoy. In all of her coaching she incorporates the values of integrity, inclusion, excellence, safety, treading lightly, play and curiosity. She is a performance coach, loves to introduce beginners to the water and brings people together to enjoy adventures in a wonderful environment.
The topics discussed by Chris and Beth include:
- Making a canoe go
- Canoe twister
- Exploring simple canoe skills and concepts with beginners
- Teaching canoeing through exploration and play
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.5 Mastering loops, spins, and cartwheels in Freestyle with Tamsyn McConchie
Tamsyn McConchie is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching freestyle. Tamsyn is an active freestyle, white water and polo coach who is exceptionally active on …
Show notes
Tamsyn McConchie is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching freestyle.
Tamsyn is an active freestyle, white water and polo coach who is exceptionally active on the water coaching, as well as competing for Team GB. She runs her own business called Wetrock, running regular freestyle coaching sessions for paddlers at all levels and abilities.
In this episode, the topics discussed by Chris and Tamsyn include:
- Physical fundamentals for freestyle
- Learning to loop, cartwheel and spin
- Technical tips for coaching freestyle
- Breaking freestyle moves down into different phases
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.4 How Slalom can make you a better coach with Gareth Wilson
Gareth Wilson is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching slalom. Gareth holds a Level 4 Coach Award and works full time at Lee Valley in his role as Podium …
Show notes
Gareth Wilson is the guest for this episode of the coaching podcast, talking to Chris Brain about coaching slalom.
Gareth holds a Level 4 Coach Award and works full time at Lee Valley in his role as Podium Technical Coach. He has a broad experience of paddlesport, from running rivers in the South Alps, jumping in C2s at National Sprint Regattas to raft racing in Costa Rica and canoe touring the Dordogne. However, he has spent the last 28 years learning, competing and coaching canoe slalom in the UK and across the world.
The topics discussed by Chris and Gareth include:
- Coaching slalom using creative challenges
- Developing adaptability in a paddler’s technique
- How to encourage longevity in the sport by developing the whole paddler
- Developing novice and elite level paddlers
- Using flat water as a training tool
If you have any questions for Gareth, please message: [email protected].
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.3 Coaching Canoeing with Sarah Keight
Sarah Keight is a canoe coach who enjoys sharing her passion for one blade and big boats, tapping into her sport science and educational background to support her learners. Sarah runs her own business …
Show notes
Sarah Keight is a canoe coach who enjoys sharing her passion for one blade and big boats, tapping into her sport science and educational background to support her learners. Sarah runs her own business – SKapades, providing a range of training, development and adventurous experiences.
The topics discussed by Chris and Sarah include:
- Ways coaches can introduce beginners to trad canoe
- Is the J Stroke an over coached technique?
- Exploring river skills such breaking in and out and how to coach them
- Coaching skills such as poling, tracking and sailing
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.2 TALENT Helping paddlers to understand their why with Ciara Sampson
This podcast episode is brought to you by the England Talent Programme where Daniel Thompson (Slalom Foundations and Support Lead) and Ciara Sampson (Volunteer Psychologist for the England Slalom Talent …
Show notes
This podcast episode is brought to you by the England Talent Programme where Daniel Thompson (Slalom Foundations and Support Lead) and Ciara Sampson (Volunteer Psychologist for the England Slalom Talent Programme) discuss the topic of purpose.
In this podcast episode we'll discuss the importance of having a purpose, how this can help to set goals, the importance of having an athletic identity and the role that a coach and parent can play in this.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
S6 Ep.1 White Water Kayaking with Jamie Greenhalgh
In this episode, Chris Brain and Jamie Greenhalgh discuss what are the most important skills that a coach could develop with a new, novice white water paddler. If you're a seasoned paddler looking for new ideas …
Show notes
In this episode, Chris Brain and Jamie Greenhalgh discuss what are the most important skills that a coach could develop with a new, novice white water paddler. If you're a seasoned paddler looking for new ideas or a coach seeking fresh perspectives, you won't want to miss this episode!
Jamie is a white water kayaking coach and is on the BCAB White Water Tech Group. His business, Paddle365, delivers white water skills courses throughout the year as well as white water leadership and safety training for Paddle UK. His approach to coaching prioritises learning through adventure and challenge, and helping paddlers to feel the joy of skillful movement in a boat.
To download the transcript for this episode click here.
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