Paddle Richmond: SUP & kayak on the Thames
020 3488 1785
Meet Our Team!
At Paddle Richmond we have an amazing team of paddleboard and kayak coaches and waterfront staff. They all have an absolute passion for the water, and for teaching people new skills - something that certainly shows up in our Google and Tripadvisor reviews. Our coaches are all fully qualified, with accreditations from British Stand-up Paddleboarding Association (BSUPA), Water Skills Academy (WSA), Paddle UK and and the Academy of Surfing. Instructors (ASI). They all hold both Paddlesport Safety and Rescue and Outdoor First Aid qualifications.
Scroll down to meet them all and see who you may get to paddle with when you join us on the water!
Nigel
Nigel has been paddling on the Thames at Richmond since he was a teenager (which is some time ago!). A true free-spirit, Nigel spent a year driving an old Land Rover to India... and back! He loves skiing, skateboarding, adventure motorcycling, surfing, dinghy sailing and exploring remote parts of the Cornish coast by paddleboard.
He's a qualified SUP Adventure Guide, volunteers with the RNLI and is the UK’s only certified SUP Search and Rescue Technician! In his spare time you'll find him mucking about with boats, or most likely, planning his next expedition.
Sarah
Sarah has been paddling for over 10 years and loves sharing her passion and finding spots to explore throughout England and beyond. Her other favourite things to do are walking in the Lake District, skiing in the French Alps and kayaking with her family.
Not only is Sarah an amazing Kayak and SUP Instructor and Adventure Guide, she is also a personal trainer, and qualified life coach. If you fancy getting 'paddle-fit', or really honing your paddle technique, then Sarah is the coach for you!
Mel
Mel has a love of the outdoors, adventure and slow person-powered travel.
She developed a passion for SUP touring after paddling the Thames from it's source to the sea 10 years ago. Since then she has explored an astonishing number of rivers and canals across the UK and other parts of the world. She's always off on an adventure - from wild weekend trips to multi-day expeditions.
When not on the river she can be found hiking, cycling, hanging off a cliff somewhere on a mountain - and eating!
Peter
Peter is one of our most experienced paddlers. If he doesn't know it, it probably isn't worth knowing!
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An expert SUP and Kayak coach, Peter has taught 1000s of people to paddle for the first time. Also a professional photographer and record dealer, Peter is the ideal guy to spend a couple of hours with on the water!
Sophy
An ASI qualified SUP coach, Sophy is also a qualified Yoga and Pilates teacher. She splits her time between the water and her successful on-land training business.
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Sophy has been teaching paddleboarding since the sport started, and is always a hit with families. You'll often find her leading a sunrise yoga session. In fact, she was the first person that Mark paddled with after he moved to London!
Suzanne
Suzanne shows you what can happen if you come on a beginners paddle lesson.
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Suzanne paddled for the first time ever as one of our customers back in 2019. Since then she has really embraced the sport, becoming a fully qualified SUP instructor, and has undertaken a number of solo expeditions.
She's also a super-talented jewellery designer!
Jonny
Jonny can be usually found on or in (by choice) the water. He loves to SUP, surf, free dive, and to spend a day out fishing at sea.
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He's well known for his flat feet so he can stick to any board and is an exceptional swimmer.
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Jonny is a British Canoeing paddle and expedition leader. He is immensely experienced and has a passion for introducing young people to adventure.
Noemie
Noemie is just as at home in the air as she is on the water. If you're flying soon you might find her leading your cabin crew.
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Noemie is a qualified Paddle UK coach, and loves to surf, paddle and cycle. She's currently learning to wing-foil!
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If she does take your session, make sure you ask her to show you her headstand!
Mark
Mark has had a passion for board riding and for paddling since he was 10 years old. So it only made sense that one day he'd start a paddle boarding business. He was one of the original co-founders of Paddle Richmond, but has now moved to the middle of nowhere, started a family and only makes the occasional appearance on the water with us.
Mark is a 3x Guinness World Record holder for paddling down the Thames on different craft. In his spare time, Mark loves to SUP surf, run, swim, and eat biscuits.
Maybe you?
We're always looking for fun, motivated freelance paddleboard and kayak instructors to join our team at Richmond, Teddington and Kingston.
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You will need to be able to deliver really safe, fun and informative sessions, where everybody - from complete beginner to experienced paddler - leaves having learned something new, and with a smile on their face!
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More info here: https://www.paddlerichmond.co.uk/work-for-us
