Mainly kayaking photographs taken on the Isle of Man and beyond.


Sunday 9 March 2008

Kayaking Isle of Man - Contacts.







It's funny who you meet through kayaking. I met two people this week , both of whom it is very easy to like and respect. On Thursday I met Wayne Hickey of Mobex. Mobex are an Isle of Man charity specializing in outdoor activities, including kayaking, for challenging kids. Wayne is an experienced kayaker himself holding a BCU level 3 coaching award. He also holds the Isle of Man rights to sell Palm, Dagger and Ainsworth Kayaking gear. He (and Mobex) are linking up with www.KAYAK.im to sell this gear. All profits will be ploughed straight back into Mobex benefiting children and families here in the Isle of Man. Paddle Buddy members qualify for discounts of up to 20%. A formal web page is under construction, but in the mean time if you would like to purchase gear from Wayne his email is WayneHickey@iomcc.org.im and his mobile phone number is +(44)7624 484505.
The second person I met whilst surfing sea kayaks at Gansey Beach was Nigel Dennis. Nigel owns Sea Kayaking UK who build sea kayaks and also run training courses and expeditions. This legend has circumnavigated the UK in a sea kayak. He is known throughout the world, not just for his famous Nigel Dennis Kayaks but also for his coaching skills. He is certainly the best coach I have ever paddled with. I would thoroughly recommend booking one of his courses at Sea Kayaking UK. Most of all with Nigel, as with others who excel, I notice his great humility and unassuming nature. He treats everyone as equals and with great respect and is an excellent example for all kayaking coaches to emulate.
www.KAYAK.im

1 comment:

The Black Spot said...

I agree on both counts! Wayne seems extremely nice and Nigel is wonderful. I will never forget his calm, soothing tone and continuous reassurance after a bit of an epic capsize-and-rescue while on a 4/5 star training day with him in Spain. I cannot express how impressed I am with him.