Our Club Coaches

All our coaches are volunteers — without them, our Club simply wouldn’t function.

They freely give their time, expertise, and encouragement to help us all improve, whether we’re just starting out or looking to hone our skills.

Each coach holds a Paddle UK qualification (ranging from Paddlesport Instructor to Coach, or even higher), along with up-to-date first aid training and a current DBS check — ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Our team includes Paddlesport Instructors, Coaches (Level 1, 2, and 3), and Leaders — reflecting a depth of knowledge and a passion for sharing their love of paddling with the community.

Club Coaches & Paddlesport Instructors

Simon D-B – Co-Secretary & Level 3 Coach

Simon brings a joyful enthusiasm and plenty of patience to his coaching. He originally joined the Club to rediscover his own love of kayaking — and in the process, he’s been able to grow his own skills while supporting members to do the same.
As Welfare Officer, Simon plays a key role in keeping us all up to date with training, DBS checks, and first aid qualifications.
In his role as Safeguarding Officer, he’s the first point of contact for members, volunteers, young people, and parents with any safeguarding concerns. Each volunteer is responsible for assessing the risks for their own trips, but Simon is there to advise and guide when needed. And on the rare occasion an incident occurs, he makes sure everything is dealt with appropriately and in keeping with British Canoeing guidelines.
To contact Simon with any safeguarding concerns, email cvcc@cvcc.org.uk
Or, view the British Canoeing Safeguarding information to report any concerns to them.
Simon DB also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Charlie A – Paddlesport Instructor / Play Boat Mentor

Charlie A is a newly qualified Paddlesport Instructor, eager to contribute, learn, and grow alongside the team — with a playboat as his preferred craft. Charlie also holds up-to-date first aid and safeguarding training, and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone on the water.

Lauren C – Paddlesport Instructor

Lauren is a newly qualified Paddlesport Instructor, excited to put her skills into practice and share her enthusiasm with others. Lauren also holds up-to-date first aid and safeguarding training, and holds a current and relevant DBS check — ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone on the water.

Ellie W – Paddlesport Instructor

Ellie’s recently qualified as a Paddlesport Instructor, with a paddleboard as her craft of choice. Ellie also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check — ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone on the water.

Joe F – Paddlesport Instructor

Joe began his coaching journey in 2025 and is now a qualified Paddlesport Instructor — eager to share his skills, enthusiasm, and passion for paddling with paddlers of all levels. Joe also holds up-to-date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Chris H – Paddlesport Instructor

Chris H is a recent addition to our coaching team — a qualified Paddlesport Instructor eager to share his skills, enthusiasm, and passion for being on the water. Chris also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Konrad C – Surf Coach / Surf Mentor

Konrad has recently returned to coaching, bringing his expertise as a qualified Surf Coach — ready to help others catch the wave! Konrad holds up-to-date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Pip W – Level 3 Coach

Pip is a longstanding and valued member of our coaching team, bringing a rich depth of experience that guides and inspires paddlers at all levels. Pip is also fully trained in first aid, safeguarding, and holds a current DBS certificate — ensuring a safe, supported, and welcoming environment for everyone.

Julian B – Paddlesport Instructor / SUP Mentor

Julian predominantly specialises in SUP instruction, guiding paddlers of all levels to make the most of their time on the water. Julian is also up to date with his first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Elaine C-J – Welfare Officer and Paddlesport Instructor

Elaine’s a recent addition to our coaching team – a qualified paddlesport instructor who’s eager to share her skills and enthusiasm. Elaine also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Duncan – Paddlesport Instructor

Duncan might look a bit tall for a kayak, but he’s quickly grown into a skilled paddler and is now stepping up as a Paddlesport Instructor — a really useful addition on any club trip. Duncan also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Biggles – Paddlesport Instructor & Equipment Officer Sea Kayak Mentor

Who really knows where Biggles came from? He swept into the Club with a zany enthusiasm and a remarkable ability to fix just about anything. Biggles is now putting those unique skills to good use on the Committee as Equipment Officer, working alongside Duncan to keep everything shipshape. Biggles also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Justin E – Coach & Paddlesport Leader

Justin always gets glowing reviews from the many new members he’s helped get out on the water for the first time. His patience, calm approach, and unfaltering support make him a truly valuable coach, and he’s also the driving force behind many of our most popular river trips. Justin also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Ivor F – Co-Chair & Paddlesport Leader

Ivor brings a steady blend of calmness, clarity, and conscientiousness to everything he does at the Club, making him a real asset to our team of coaches. We’re delighted to have him on board, and even more fortunate to count him as Co-Chair of the Club Committee. Ivor also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Jeremy A – Paddlesport Instructor

Jeremy’s fallen head over heels for SUP — you’ll often find him out on his board off Eastbourne Beach at a ridiculously early hour, making the most of the calm water and the start of the day. As a qualified Paddlesport Instructor, Jeremy’s passionate about sharing that love of SUP with others. We’re delighted that Jeremy’s also agreed to bring his enthusiasm and expertise to the Committee as Events Officer, alongside Gerry — helping make sure our calendar is full of great paddling opportunities for everyone.
Jeremy also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Stuart N – Coaching Officer / Safety Officer and Paddlesport Core Coach and Instructor

Stuart brings a wealth of experience in safety and risk management to the Club. He’s putting that expertise to work by ensuring all our policies are up to standard and that we have clear, robust procedures for everything we do. Stuart also collaborates closely with the rest of the Committee, looking for ways we can grow our membership and continually improve in the future. As a Paddlesport Instructor, Stuart’s main passions lie in whitewater kayaking and surf kayaking. His calm, patient approach helps paddlers grow their confidence, push their boundaries, and enjoy their time on the water. Stuart also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Meg E – Co-Secretary & Paddlesport Instructor

Meg is the first point of contact for all our coaches and instructors, making sure every Club session is covered by the right team of qualified leaders. She also oversees training for our coaches, helping them stay challenged, grow their skills, and become even more effective on the water. Meg brings a real passion for the Club, having grown up within it herself. From starting as a junior, she’s gone full circle to become a fully fledged adult and coach — a testament to her deep connection and ongoing commitment to our community. If you have any questions about becoming a coach or Instructor, don’t hesitate to contact her on her club email coaches@cvcc.org.uk Meg also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Steve D – Level 3 Coach / White Water Mentor

Steve is a longstanding member of the Club who’s passionate about whitewater, surf, and sea kayaking, with the occasional foray into open canoeing. As a Safety and Rescue trainer, he’s a key resource for keeping us all sharp and prepared on the water. Steve has been a driving force behind delivering British Canoeing Awards within the Club, mentoring other coaches, and helping us provide valuable qualifications to our members. Steve also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Kate W – Paddlesport Instructor

Kate is a true adventurer — always up for a challenge, whether it’s paddling across to the Isle of Wight or exploring Norway’s majestic fjords. As a qualified Paddlesport Instructor, Kate brings that spirit of adventure back home to Cuckmere, inspiring and guiding others on their own journeys. Kate also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Sarah D – Coach & Paddlesport Leader

Sarah D really shines when working with our junior members and novice paddlers — helping them conquer new skills with confidence, while also offering her support on more adventurous trips. Sarah also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Darren A – Paddlesport Instructor & Partnership Coordinator / Play Boat Mentor

Darren joined the Club in 2015, shortly after buying his first sea kayak — but it wasn’t long before he fell in love with whitewater river running as well. Now he enjoys a range of disciplines and, as a Paddlesport Instructor, he’s passionate about helping others get hooked, too! Darren tried to step away from the Committee, but we wouldn’t let him! He’s stayed on as a co-opted member to keep up the strong links he’s forged with other clubs, making sure we can continue to enjoy great trips to Lee Valley, Cardington, and more. Darren also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Nic H – Events Officer and Paddlesport Leader / Canoe Mentor

Nic’s fallen in love with SUP, canoe, and kayak, and is currently embracing the challenge of surf and whitewater as well. As a Paddlesport Leader with a SUP specialism, Nic guides mixed-craft trips and helps beginners get to grips with their first skills on the water. Nic joined the Club in 2017 as a complete beginner and soon discovered a community full of passionate, welcoming people eager to share their enthusiasm, expertise, and skills. Nic also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.

Helen R – Paddlesport Instructor

The Treasurer is in charge of the money, keeping the Club’s accounts in order and making sure committee members, coaches, and instructors are promptly reimbursed for training, equipment, and other approved expenses. Helen is a conscientious Treasurer with a real passion for both the Club and paddling. She’s also recently become a qualified Paddlesport Instructor, adding even more depth to her contribution and helping us keep things on a steady course for the future. Helen also holds up to date first aid and safeguarding training and holds a current and relevant DBS check, ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for everyone.