Biographies of this year’s contributors.

Roy Henderson

I am an all rounder in the outdoor world with Kayaking now being the main stay of my summer business. I started in the outdoors as a Skier and Mountaineer. I have climbed in the Alps, Australia and North America and hold the Mountaineering Instructors Certificate.

Of course climbing is a dry weather sport and I had to find something to do in the rain. Thus Roy the kayaker was born. After a lengthy apprenticeship capsizing and swimming most of Scotland’s rivers I graduated to the sea. I have Sea Kayaked in New Zealand, Canada and Greenland where I was part of an expedition making one of the first kayak trips around the Southern Cape. My first love is the stunning coastline of Scotland and that is where I spend most of the summer, working, exploring and playing. I run www.seakayakinginscotland.co.uk
And hold the BCU Level 5 kayak coach award.

Winter see’s me working in the Alps where I head up the Mountain Safety courses for the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and run ski touring and off piste guiding and instruction. I hold the highest international skiing award.

I am sponsored by
• HAGLÖFS (www.haglofs.se)
• HIGHLAND CANOES (www.highlandcanoes.co.uk)
• ANATOM (www.anatom.co.uk)

Claire Knifton

In brief, I started paddling back in the late 80’s (when Dancers were trendy and rotobats weren’t yet invented!) whilst at Southampton Uni. Despite 20+ years of practice, I am still no expert! I started out as a river kayaker, but that led me first into sea kayaking and more recently into Open Canoe. I am BCU L5 caoch in both, although if I had to chose I would admit that Canoe is my favourite (can I say that on a sea symnposium website?)
I work fulltime for the Outward Bound Trust, at their Loch Eil centre.
My passtimes are really anyhting that allows me to journey into & explore remoter areas under my own steam: so hillwalking, ski touring, mountian biking. Also my two border collies Stroma & Cuan, who are quite handy in a canoe themselves!

Martin Waters

I live in Harlech, North Wales and have been teaching at Plas Dol-y-Moch Outdoor Education Centre for the last 11 years. I originate from Gloucestershire, but moved to Wales in 1992 to study Sports Science at Bangor University, followed by a PE PGCE. I never taught in schools, instead chose to follow my passion for outdoor pursuits and teach in centres.

I started as a river paddler on the river Wye many years ago and then progressed onto the North Wales rivers whilst at uni. I have enjoyed paddling in all parts of the UK and the Alps. However over the last 12 years or so I have “matured” into a sea kayaker. This has to do with living on the coast, a friendship with Phil Eccles and a developing taste for malt whisky. My qualifications include level 4 coach (inland) and level 3 coach (sea). This will be my first trip to Shetland and am really excited having heard how exciting the coastline is.

I have two children, Toby (9) and Hannah (7), both are keen boaters and enjoyed a trip down the Spey last year. Other interests include climbing, skiing and anything to do with mountain bikes.

Looking forward to meeting folks and being involved this year.

Phill Eccles



Phil Eccles

I qualified as a teacher at Bangor University on a course that equipped me to work in outdoor education centres and that’s more or less what I’ve done for a career. In between jobs I’ve managed to take time out to go travelling and once left these shores for an 18 month journey around the globe.

In 1985 I got married to Jo and also started a job in North Wales. I’ve now been at Plas Dol y Moch Outdoor Education Centre for 25 years and technically I’m a Deputy Head Teacher. This effectively means I have to spend more time in the office and less time playing out with kids.
I enjoy most outdoor activities that involve mountains and water and I spend a fair amount of time on my bike too.
I love coaching skills so over the years I’ve run many training and assessment courses for the BCU. I lead our centre’s annual sea kayak trip which is invariably based in the north west of Scotland and as a Level 5 Coach I’ve worked at symposia in Georgia(USA), Florida, Alaska, Israel, Rhode Island and Washington State.

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to paddle in some wonderful places across the world. The highlight must be the 2008 trip to Arctic Baffin – a self contained 5 week expedition to see the migration of narwhals around Bruce Head at a latitude of 72 degrees north. Another fabulous trip was a visit to Shetland in 1992. Eshaness, Dore Holm, The Drongs and Papa Stour hold great memories for Jo and me as does the wonderful hospitality and friendliness of everyone we met. I am really looking forward to being back there.

Trys Burke

BCU Lv5 Coach Sea, I have taught in variety of Centres and countries from private sector to National Centres including Plas y Brenin and Glenmore Lodge. I have been fortunate to work on lots of symposiums worldwide including America, Norway, Finland and the UK. I have a degree in Sports Science and am a qualified teacher, before having kids enjoyed expeditions have been to some fantastic places white water paddling open boating sea kayaking and cycling, places such as Nepal, Alaska, Canada, New Zealand, the Alps, etc. Notable expeds 8 month paddle from UK to Greece and Circumnavigation of Tasmania.