Gales 2012: Top Coaches from the UK, US & Canada!

We are very pleased to announce 2012′s “all-star” line-up of Guest Coaches! Leon Somme and Shawna Franklin of Body, Boat, Blade had such a great time last year that they will be joining us again in 2012! New for 2012 are two of the UK’s most highly respected Coach 5′s – Andy Stamp and Nick Cunliffe as well as two of Canada’s top coaches Chris Lockeyer and Megan Hennessey.  Read below to hear about these top coaches who you can work with at this year’s Gales Storm Gathering.

Andy Stamp has been a BCU Level 5 Sea Kayak Coach since 1995, and is also a qualified coach in Inland Kayak, Surf Kayak and Open Canoe. As a coach educator and grade 5 assessor (A5), Andy has assessed over 30 level 5 coaches in total, the most recent being in 2011. Andy has worked in stunning coastal venues throughout England, Scotland and Wales and regularly in advanced conditions including The Bitches, The Swellies, The Skerries, The Channel Islands, Anglesey, Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

Andy will be the lead course provider on the BCU Coach 2 Training during the Great Lakes Coaching week as well as teaching various courses during the Gales.

 

 

Nick Cunliffe is a BCU Coach Level 5 in both Sea and Whitewater Kayak who has paddled multi-week expeditions in SE Alaska, Baja, the UK, and Arctic Norway.  Nick brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Gales as he’s trained coaching staffs at three National Coaching Centers in the UK and operates his own school, Kayak Essentials, on the island of Anglesey.

Nick will be the lead trailer for the BCU Coach 1 Program at the Great Lakes Coaching Week and coaching various courses during the Gales.

 

 

 

Shawna Franklin & Leon Somme Body, Boat, Blade International

            

Shawna Franklin and Leon Somme have circumnavigated Iceland with Chris Duff and the Haida Gwaii Islands in the Pacific Northwest with renowned British filmmaker Justine Curgenven. Shawna and Leon both are highly regarded paddlers and coaches who are in high demand for symposium and training events around the world. Their energy and enthusiasm for sea kayaking is infectious. Their coaching skills cannot be underrated. They have been featured in This is the Sea I, II, and III. And we personally hear many, many, many kayaking instructors start every sentence with, “Shawna and Leon said that…”

Shawna Franklin was the first woman to receive the  BCU 5 Star Sea Award  Level 5 Sea Award. She is also an aspirant Coach Level 5. Shawna lives and teaches kayaking in Washington state in the San Juan Islands, specifically Orca Island. She is also a fabulous artist and print maker. Her other credentials include: BCU 4 Star Surf, 4 Star Inland, 2 star Open Canoe

Leon Somme spent some time in the US Navy on a nuclear submarine, after which he swore he would never again work indoors. He has kept true to that as the co-founder of Body Boat Blade with his partner Shawna Franklin. Leon has spent 20 + years paddling and it definitely shows. He also holds the  BCU 5 star Sea Award. Leon’s other credentials include.: BCU 4 Star Surf, 4 Star Inland, 2 Star open canoe, Coach Level 5 Sea aspirant.

Shawna and Leon will be trainers on the Level 2 Coach program at the Great Lakes Coaching week and will be teaching various courses during the Gales Storm Gathering.

Christopher Lockyer is the driving force behind Committed 2 The Core Coaching. He has been paddling since 1994 and has paddled in UK, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway as well as countless places in North America. Chris graduated from Acadia University with a Recreation Management degree with a major in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Education in 2000 and presently works as a GIS specialist in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Christopher holds certifications with the BCU, Paddle Canada, Wilderness Medical Associates, Canada Ski Patrol, Emergency Health Services first responder, Handheld radio operators license, Emergency procedures, survival methods and many other outdoor related certifications. In 2012 he will go for assessment for his Level 5 BCU level 5 Sea kayak coach.

 

Meaghan’s Hennessy’s water pursuits began at a young age in the swimming pool as a synchronized swimmer (yes that’s right, water ballet!) A quick stint as a rafting guide on the Ottawa River then lead her to the world of sea kayak instruction in Vancouver, BC. In between the teaching seasons, Meaghan filled her time completing an Environmental Sciences BSc and a Masters of Resource Management.

Meaghan jumped on board with Paddle Canada’s Sea Kayaking program in its early stages and was among the first women to achieve a Level Four Sea Kayaking Skills award. She is now a Level Three Instructor, Level Two Instructor Trainer as well as a BCU Level Three Sea Coach. Meaghan is one of the core staff with Sea Kayak Instruction and Leadership Systems (SKILS) and has been working with SKILS as an instructor trainer since 2005. Meaghan is also the School Director of the Vancouver based Ecomarine Coastal Kayaking School.