Paddle NI’s Participation and Development Officer, Mark, travelled to Iceland after being invited to coach at the Iceland Sea Kayak Symposium, an event that brings together sea kayakers and coaches from across the world. The invitation reflects Mark’s growing expertise and the work he does to support paddlers and clubs here in Northern Ireland. Sea kayaking continues to be one of the most popular areas within our progressive paddles programme and opportunities like this help us keep our development work aligned with the highest coaching standards. The symposium focuses on sharing best practice, developing coaching approaches, and building the skills needed for safe paddling in moderate and advanced water environments, all of which directly supports our club work, leadership development and participation programmes. Paddle NI Head of Operations Rodger Hamilton said, “We encouraged and supported Mark to attend because staying up‑to‑date with the latest coaching methods and technical skills directly benefits the paddlers and volunteers he works with throughout the year. He has returned with new ideas, fresh perspectives and useful learning from working alongside international coaches”. We’re proud to see Northern Ireland represented at an event like this and delighted that Mark has come back with knowledge and connections that will strengthen our local programmes and the wider paddlesport community. Our next series of progressive paddles will run from September, keep an eye on social media channels for details.

Managing Medical Conditions in Paddlesports

Tree Blockage in Drumbeg on the River Lagan

Progressive Paddles 2025/2026

Rescue Emergency Care Level 2 (REC2) Course Available

Current Vacancy April 2025 - Participation and Development Officer

Single craft pathways for Paddlesport Leader and Paddlesport Touring Leader

The #ShePaddles programme will be an empowering and transformative experience for female paddlers designed to enhance leadership skills, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure. Through a series of in-person and online sessions with leading performance consultants Jo Hopkins and Eliza Downey, you'll explore your leadership style, understand the impact of pressure on performance, and learn from various fields such as sport, the military, and the arts to drive individual and team performance. Additionally, hands-on paddling sessions led by Effie Ellis-O'Neill, an experienced Coach and Tutor of BCAB Qualifications, will help you develop and refine your skills on the water and guide you in your goal setting whilst building a community of female paddlers.