I have been working in the outdoors now for almost 20 years, in a wide variety of coaching environments. Early experiences as an activity instructor at an outdoor education centre in Yorkshire led to employment as a chief instructor at a multi-activity centre in Shropshire.

In 2003 I completed a BSc (Hons) degree In Outdoor and Environmental Education at Liverpool John Moores University. Post-graduation, I gained a passion for coaching skill development and instructor training, with involvement in delivering British Canoeing Coach Education courses.

A move to North Wales gave me the opportunity to further this experience, to develop my own paddling skills and to work in challenging settings with diverse groups of clients and students. During this time, I provided BC Coach Education courses and Coach Update weekends for Canoe Wales & Canoe England.

In 2008 I completed a PGCE in Physical Education which led to employment as a PE teacher at a sports college in Manchester and also co founded Kayak Essentials. During the last 6 years I have been the course leader of the Outdoor Adventure Studies Foundation Degree and BA Top Up in Outdoor Leadership at Hugh Baird University Centre in Liverpool.

I’ve paddled throughout the UK and Europe and as a British Canoeing level 4 Inland coach, Level 3 Sea kayak coach, Open canoe coach in both open and moving water and a provider of multiple British Canoeing coach education, leadership and personal performance awards, I love working with new and experienced paddlers alike. I am not just a paddler though as a ML and RCI holder I enjoy getting people into the hills and mountains of the UK and have been able to work on multiple Mountain Training qualification courses such as ML and RCI trainings and Lowland leader training and assessments.

Currently I am studying for an MA in Sports Coaching, and have developed an interest in a wide range of research topics linked to coaching and the outdoors. These include the use and validity of observing peers, developing communities of practice and the mechanisms used by coaches and educators when developing decision making skills in their students. My MA research is focused around situational awareness and situational demands. Long term I am aiming to complete a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance.