Simon Osborne

Profile

Personal Paddling Profile

Age: 26
BCU Qual: Coach Level 4 (Coach in Sea & Inland)
Canoe Coach Level 3 Trainee

Personal Profile

Having been born on the boarder of England and Wales I grew up with Welsh white water on my doorstep. My father being a level 4 coach introduced me to kayaking at an early age. I took to it quickly and won some junior 12 and then later junior 14 slalom events. After getting a taste for travelling by visiting the Alps kayaking I then travelled around Central and South America experiencing the cultures and environments they had to offer. During my degree course in geography I ran the university canoe club and introduced people to the world that kayaking opens up. On completing my degree I travelled again this time to North America and Canada to experience the north western coastal environment. Once I had returned I finished of the organisation of a circumnavigation of the UK to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund in memory of my brother Mark. All of my experience has given me the ability to interact well with people getting the best out of them.

 
Kayaking Experience

Sea Kayaking
The UK coastal environment is like no other in the world offering a wide variety of conditions to explore. I have been evolved in coaching at the Anglesey Sea and Surf centre with kayakers of varying abilities. Most of my sea kayaking experience has been gained from the Welsh coastal waters where tides and wind play a major role in any trip.

Kayaking for cancer 2004
During the summer of 2004 I managed to complete a solo circumnavigation of Ireland in memory of my brother Mark. The trip pushed me more than I hoped it would with the bad weather of July. The fundraising total has now reached 30,000 pounds. For more information please visit www.kayakingforcancer.co.uk

Kayaking for cancer 2002
During the summer of 2002 I circumnavigated the UK in order to raise money for Leukaemia research. The expedition tested my sea kayaking skills and my mental strength. Some of the expedition was which became a real challenge in the bad weather of May and June. The experience I gained during the 4 months of solid sea kayaking has given be an enormous understanding of the marine environment.

European Alps
At the age of 12 I went on my first Alps trip and got the taste for the crisp glacial waters. Now 10 years latter I have been 7 times and led many different levels of paddler, from grade 2-5, down the many rivers the French, Swiss and Austrian Alps has to offer.

Inland Kayaking
I learnt most of my kayak handling skills out in the white water and was then able to transfer this into other disciplines. Being heavily evolved with local clubs I have led trips on most of the rivers of North and Mid Wales over the last 5 years gaining valuable experience at all levels. I regularly kayak grade 4-5 rivers and I am now experimenting with freestyle kayaking with the aim to run coaching sessions.

Open Canoe Coaching
Working at a small outdoor centre in Shrewsbury I gained experience in open canoeing with large groups young and old as well as disabled people. This improved my general group management skills and helped me learn how to communicate when coaching different types of client.

Surf Kayaking
Throughout the time spent at University I was a few minutes away from an amazing reef break that allowed me to perfect a solid surfing style. I have recently been asked to compete for Wales in the world Championships and hope to progress into this discipline further in the future.

Sea Kayaking UK sponsored paddlers have been selected for their expeditionary & kayaking skills. All are prepared to run courses on request having excellent seamanship and kayaking skills. They have the full support of Sea Kayaking UK and we would be glad to arrange tuition, lectures, etc.

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