PADDLER 48
PADDLER 48
transformed into a mixed accommodation centre, offering options ranging from camping and hostel stays to glamping pods, yurts, apartments, and private rooms. They also preserved the much-loved Paddlers Return Bistro Bar, ensuring it remained a welcoming space for the sea kayaking community.
THIS IS THE SEA: THE FIRST SEA KAYAKING FILM SERIES
From 2004 to 2014, Justine Curgenven further popularised sea kayaking on Anglesey through her groundbreaking film series, This Is The Sea. Across five films, she showcased renowned sea kayakers embarking on extraordinary adventures. Based in North Wales during this time, Justine often highlighted Anglesey’ s sea kayaking scene, talented coaches, and vibrant community. Her work created a surge of interest in the sport, the island, and its culture. I still vividly remember the awe of meeting the paddlers featured in her films – it was truly inspiring.
ANGLESEY: TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE – MAINTAINING THE HUB
Today, Anglesey remains a thriving international hub for sea kayaking. The sea kayak manufacturing industry continues to flourish, Anglesey Outdoors serves as the social heartbeat of our community, and filmmakers like James Stevenson and Simon Osborn from Online Sea Kayaking now bring their magic to Anglesey’ s stunning kayaking locations.
Since Justine’ s spotlight on Anglesey’ s coaching talent, many prominent tide race coaches have moved on, scaled back, or retired. Influential centres such as Nigel Dennis’ s ASSC, the Newry Beach Centre, Plas Y Brenin, Plas Menai, and independent providers – including my main mentor, Nick Cunliffe – have been instrumental in shaping the coaches of the past two decades. However, opportunities for coach development have become less common.
At Sea Kayaking Wales, our mission is to grow and support the UK and international sea kayaking communities from our home on Anglesey. A key part of this vision is mentoring the next generation of sea kayak
coaches to ensure Anglesey remains a leading training hub. Through collaboration with stakeholders across the Anglesey community, we strive to create new opportunities for coach development. If you or someone you know is passionate about pursuing a career in sea kayak coaching and contributing to our vibrant community in North Wales, we’ d love to hear from you.
ABOUT GETH
Geth has co-owned, with Kirsty, Sea Kayaking Wales for SEVEN years. He enjoys supporting the sea kayaking community and helping train / develop new sea kayak leaders and coaches. Kirsty and Geth live on Anglesey with their three young children.
ABOUT SEA KAYAKING WALES
Based in Holyhead, Anglesey SKW provides expedition and holiday opportunities to Scotland( including St Kilda for 2026), Norway, Mallorca, Croatia and Pembrokeshire. Check out www. seakayakingwales. com for more information.
Sea Kayaking Wales also runs progressive coaching courses on Anglesey, from beginner to advanced, and are providers of all the British Canoeing Leadership, Coach, Safety and Personal Performance awards. Clubs / groups are also encouraged to hire SKW for meets and expeditions. SKW is also a dealer of Sea Kayaking UK, Rockpool, Tiderace and Zegul sea kayaks. You can demo most models on the course opportunities.