Here's a list of coaches & guides from 2016. Most are returning for 2017 and we're working on some new additions too!
Nigel Dennis
BCU Coach 5, A5, BCU National Trainer
Starting at the age of 23, Nigel gave himself two years to learn the sport of sea kayaking in order to circumnavigate Great Britain. Two years later, Nigel and Paul Caffyn became the first kayakers to accomplish this feat. He’s been on expeditions around the world including Antarctica, Cape Horn, Easter Island and South Georgia Island. In 1995, Nigel started designing and building kayaks renowned for their rough water handling. Nigel is one of the world’s top rough water coaches.
BCU Coach 5, A5, BCU National Trainer
Starting at the age of 23, Nigel gave himself two years to learn the sport of sea kayaking in order to circumnavigate Great Britain. Two years later, Nigel and Paul Caffyn became the first kayakers to accomplish this feat. He’s been on expeditions around the world including Antarctica, Cape Horn, Easter Island and South Georgia Island. In 1995, Nigel started designing and building kayaks renowned for their rough water handling. Nigel is one of the world’s top rough water coaches.
Phil Clegg
BCU Coach 5, A5, BCU 5*
Phil, unfortunately, won't be with us in 2016. As some of you may recall, last year he went from the Autumn Gales event one weekend to being married the next! Phil's birthday falls during the 2016 event and we're sure his lovely wife Suzy, who's on the GB gold medalist rafting team, wants him home on that special day :)
BCU Coach 5, A5, BCU 5*
Phil, unfortunately, won't be with us in 2016. As some of you may recall, last year he went from the Autumn Gales event one weekend to being married the next! Phil's birthday falls during the 2016 event and we're sure his lovely wife Suzy, who's on the GB gold medalist rafting team, wants him home on that special day :)
Ciro De La Vega
BCU 5*, Ocean Racer/Coach, Local Rough Water Guide
Ciro’s the kind of person who’s always got your back in rough water. “I’ve got sweep” is what you’ll often he him say. Which is good, because his is one fast paddler trying to keep up with him is like trying to keep up with a race horse. His playgrounds include the tide races in Fishers Island sound and the MOM (mouth of Merrimack) in Massachusetts.
BCU 5*, Ocean Racer/Coach, Local Rough Water Guide
Ciro’s the kind of person who’s always got your back in rough water. “I’ve got sweep” is what you’ll often he him say. Which is good, because his is one fast paddler trying to keep up with him is like trying to keep up with a race horse. His playgrounds include the tide races in Fishers Island sound and the MOM (mouth of Merrimack) in Massachusetts.
Dave Grainger
Local Rough Water Guide, US Canoe Association Grand Veteran 1 /Unlimited Kayak National Marathon Champ, and Photographer
Dave takes a surf ski where most people wouldn't take a sea kayak. And he takes photos from it too. An amazing sense of balance, small craft advisories put a smile on "Grave Dangers" face.
Local Rough Water Guide, US Canoe Association Grand Veteran 1 /Unlimited Kayak National Marathon Champ, and Photographer
Dave takes a surf ski where most people wouldn't take a sea kayak. And he takes photos from it too. An amazing sense of balance, small craft advisories put a smile on "Grave Dangers" face.
Peter Jones
BCU Coach 4, A3, BCU 5*
Pete brings many years of practical paddling experience to the table.
Formally the chief kayak instructor at the Anglesey Sea & Surf Center
in North Wales for 10 years, Pete has done expeditions all over the world
including Canada’s West Coast, Nova Scotia, Israel, Holland, Spain, Ireland, Outer Hebrides, St. Kilda, Orkney and Greenland. Always cheerful and fun to work with, Pete’s keen experience and style make for a fun day on the water.
BCU Coach 4, A3, BCU 5*
Pete brings many years of practical paddling experience to the table.
Formally the chief kayak instructor at the Anglesey Sea & Surf Center
in North Wales for 10 years, Pete has done expeditions all over the world
including Canada’s West Coast, Nova Scotia, Israel, Holland, Spain, Ireland, Outer Hebrides, St. Kilda, Orkney and Greenland. Always cheerful and fun to work with, Pete’s keen experience and style make for a fun day on the water.
Tim Motte
BCU 5*, Local Rough Water Guide
Big Tim has been leading groups for the local Rhode Island sea kayaking club (RICKA) for many years. We’ve known Tim
from the early days of RICKA and he’s been instrumental in developing sound skills and leadership within the club. A calm and strong presence on the water, Tim’s a big water paddler with a vast knowledge of the local area.
BCU 5*, Local Rough Water Guide
Big Tim has been leading groups for the local Rhode Island sea kayaking club (RICKA) for many years. We’ve known Tim
from the early days of RICKA and he’s been instrumental in developing sound skills and leadership within the club. A calm and strong presence on the water, Tim’s a big water paddler with a vast knowledge of the local area.
Greg Paquin
BCU Coach 3, BCU 4 Star Assessor, BCU Advanced Water Endorsement, UKCC L3, BCU 5*, ACA Level 5 Instructor
Owner of Kayak Waveology, Greg’s been teaching sea kayaking for over 11 years. Known for his calm and patient manner, Greg has a way of challenging people to do things they didn’t think they could do. And that goes for telemark skiing too where Greg is a PSIA level III instructor. For tide race and surf training in Southern New England, Greg is the premier instructor in the area.
BCU Coach 3, BCU 4 Star Assessor, BCU Advanced Water Endorsement, UKCC L3, BCU 5*, ACA Level 5 Instructor
Owner of Kayak Waveology, Greg’s been teaching sea kayaking for over 11 years. Known for his calm and patient manner, Greg has a way of challenging people to do things they didn’t think they could do. And that goes for telemark skiing too where Greg is a PSIA level III instructor. For tide race and surf training in Southern New England, Greg is the premier instructor in the area.
Paula Riegel
BCU 5*, BCU Coach 2, ACA Level 5 Instructor, Registered Maine Guide, Local Rough Water Guide
Paula is the other half Kayak Waveology’s driving force. She has been involved as a coach for many years in the New England symposium circuit, and part of the Autumn Gales from the beginning. She brings grace, technique and strength to the tide race surfing round table. Watch out guys, there aren’t many who can say they got their 5 Star on the Isle Of Man. For the ladies, she is one to try and follow in her footsteps, she is paving the way for you out here on the East Coast.
BCU 5*, BCU Coach 2, ACA Level 5 Instructor, Registered Maine Guide, Local Rough Water Guide
Paula is the other half Kayak Waveology’s driving force. She has been involved as a coach for many years in the New England symposium circuit, and part of the Autumn Gales from the beginning. She brings grace, technique and strength to the tide race surfing round table. Watch out guys, there aren’t many who can say they got their 5 Star on the Isle Of Man. For the ladies, she is one to try and follow in her footsteps, she is paving the way for you out here on the East Coast.
Axel Schoevers
BCU Coach 4, A4, BCU 5*
Axel is a BCU coach and international guide from the Netherlands. He enjoys paddling in and introducing paddlers to more dynamic sea environments. Axel is a frequent coach/guide to Anglesey and he has been coaching/guiding in place like Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, USA, Australia, Tasmania, and Baja Mexico. Axel runs his own business SeaKayak.NL in the Netherlands with his business partner Nico. We've known Axel for many years now. He was Paula's 4* trainer back in 2004 down in Tybee. Axel is a featured coach at Nigel's symposium in Anglesey. We ran into Axel in Baja back in January and it started with "Hey, would you like to come to the Gales...?" We are looking forward to having Axel at the Gales for the first time!
BCU Coach 4, A4, BCU 5*
Axel is a BCU coach and international guide from the Netherlands. He enjoys paddling in and introducing paddlers to more dynamic sea environments. Axel is a frequent coach/guide to Anglesey and he has been coaching/guiding in place like Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, USA, Australia, Tasmania, and Baja Mexico. Axel runs his own business SeaKayak.NL in the Netherlands with his business partner Nico. We've known Axel for many years now. He was Paula's 4* trainer back in 2004 down in Tybee. Axel is a featured coach at Nigel's symposium in Anglesey. We ran into Axel in Baja back in January and it started with "Hey, would you like to come to the Gales...?" We are looking forward to having Axel at the Gales for the first time!
Harry Whalen
BCU Coach 3, Owner - The London Kayaking Company
We are thrilled to have Harry back for 2016. He's been busy with his kayaking company on the Thames but still finds time to play in the Anglesey tide races where he and Greg had some fun back in May. Harry has quite the paddling portfolio - from kayaking around GB, a record breaking round Ireland trip, crossing the Irish Sea, and, of course, wash-hanging police boats on the Thames. His quick Irish wit and gems of kayaking knowledge make for an exciting time on the water. Welcome back!
BCU Coach 3, Owner - The London Kayaking Company
We are thrilled to have Harry back for 2016. He's been busy with his kayaking company on the Thames but still finds time to play in the Anglesey tide races where he and Greg had some fun back in May. Harry has quite the paddling portfolio - from kayaking around GB, a record breaking round Ireland trip, crossing the Irish Sea, and, of course, wash-hanging police boats on the Thames. His quick Irish wit and gems of kayaking knowledge make for an exciting time on the water. Welcome back!
Eila Wilkinson
UKCC Level 3, BCU Advanced Water Endorsement, BCU 5*, A3
Eila started sea kayaking in 2008 and has racked up an impressive paddling resume. She holds the female record for circumnavigating Ireland. Eila has also circumnav’ed the Outer Hebrides, Anglesey and Isle of Man. The past couple winters, she and Nigel have been exploring remote islands in the Bahamas. An impressive coach and inspiration to female paddlers, she proves that “big dog” paddling can come in a compact size.
UKCC Level 3, BCU Advanced Water Endorsement, BCU 5*, A3
Eila started sea kayaking in 2008 and has racked up an impressive paddling resume. She holds the female record for circumnavigating Ireland. Eila has also circumnav’ed the Outer Hebrides, Anglesey and Isle of Man. The past couple winters, she and Nigel have been exploring remote islands in the Bahamas. An impressive coach and inspiration to female paddlers, she proves that “big dog” paddling can come in a compact size.
Dale Williams
ACA L5 Instructor Trainer Educator, BCU 5*, Former BCU Coach Level 5T Sea, Owner Sea Kayaking USA
From Tybee Island Georgia, this man knows surf and has trained expert sea kayakers from all around the world. Dale was a pioneer in developing performance sea kayak surfing in the early 90's and started Sea Kayak Georgia. As a L5 ITE, he has many years of "coaching the coaches" with his relaxed southern style, y'all.
ACA L5 Instructor Trainer Educator, BCU 5*, Former BCU Coach Level 5T Sea, Owner Sea Kayaking USA
From Tybee Island Georgia, this man knows surf and has trained expert sea kayakers from all around the world. Dale was a pioneer in developing performance sea kayak surfing in the early 90's and started Sea Kayak Georgia. As a L5 ITE, he has many years of "coaching the coaches" with his relaxed southern style, y'all.
Nick Schade
Kayak Designer/Owner Guillemot Kayaks , Local Rough Water Guide
Nick is an accomplished kayak designer and has developed quite a high performance line of rough water sea kayaks under Guillemot Kayaks.
These designs would have not existed for Nick, if he didn’t work in the
rough waters around in Fishers Island Sound and beyond. He is a local long boat surfing specialist in Tide Races.
Kayak Designer/Owner Guillemot Kayaks , Local Rough Water Guide
Nick is an accomplished kayak designer and has developed quite a high performance line of rough water sea kayaks under Guillemot Kayaks.
These designs would have not existed for Nick, if he didn’t work in the
rough waters around in Fishers Island Sound and beyond. He is a local long boat surfing specialist in Tide Races.
Rick Stoehrer
BCU 5*, ACA Level 4 Instructor, Registered Maine Guide, Local Rough Water Guide
Rick has been involved with New England paddling symposiums for years now. He has been very worthy rough water 1st mate and one to watch your back out there in the rough stuff. Ask him about whirlpools, he knows a thing or two about these features - just don’t follow to close though.
BCU 5*, ACA Level 4 Instructor, Registered Maine Guide, Local Rough Water Guide
Rick has been involved with New England paddling symposiums for years now. He has been very worthy rough water 1st mate and one to watch your back out there in the rough stuff. Ask him about whirlpools, he knows a thing or two about these features - just don’t follow to close though.
Keirron Tastagh
BCU Coach L5, BCU 5*, Owner Adventurous Experiences, Expedition Paddler
A wild man from the Isle of Man, Keirron is no stranger to big seas. One of his tide race playgrounds is the narrow strip of water known as Calf Sound. Paddling since the age of 10, Keirron is the type of coach who will push you to try new things. As an expedition paddler, he's led numerous trips including the Aleutian Islands. And if you want tips on paddling from Holyhead to IoM at night, this is the guy to ask.
BCU Coach L5, BCU 5*, Owner Adventurous Experiences, Expedition Paddler
A wild man from the Isle of Man, Keirron is no stranger to big seas. One of his tide race playgrounds is the narrow strip of water known as Calf Sound. Paddling since the age of 10, Keirron is the type of coach who will push you to try new things. As an expedition paddler, he's led numerous trips including the Aleutian Islands. And if you want tips on paddling from Holyhead to IoM at night, this is the guy to ask.
Jon Tobiassen
Local Rough Water Guide and Jackson Kayak Exploration Team Member
Jon grew up with these Fishers Island Sound waters, and has been known to be surfing in the over falls in his sea kayak while fishing for proper striper, the best of both worlds. Jon has always been a
part of the Autumn Gales, offering some serious show boat rough water moves, all the while watching your back out there and ready to lend a hand when you need it most.
Local Rough Water Guide and Jackson Kayak Exploration Team Member
Jon grew up with these Fishers Island Sound waters, and has been known to be surfing in the over falls in his sea kayak while fishing for proper striper, the best of both worlds. Jon has always been a
part of the Autumn Gales, offering some serious show boat rough water moves, all the while watching your back out there and ready to lend a hand when you need it most.
Carl Tjerandsen
Local Rough Water Guide and Photographer
Carl has been the tide race guru over the years knowing where the best spots will be at the right time. He's been paddling these rough water areas for years, studying what happens and when. He is a very accomplished rough water photographer which has added the excitement to the Autumn Gales from the beginning.
Local Rough Water Guide and Photographer
Carl has been the tide race guru over the years knowing where the best spots will be at the right time. He's been paddling these rough water areas for years, studying what happens and when. He is a very accomplished rough water photographer which has added the excitement to the Autumn Gales from the beginning.
