Tom Smith

Tom was introduced to paddling by a relative on Loch Tummel in a home-made lath and canvas canoe. While doing youth work in Edinburgh he decided to join a course for instructors. During the course he found himself paddling out to the Bass Rock on a perfect summer evening. He has been a sea paddler ever since.

After a move to Easter Ross, early trips were mostly on the west and north coasts. A further move to Shetland followed in 1976. Nearly thirty years of exploring the Shetland coastline led to the decision in 2004 to set up Sea Kayak Shetland, offering guided trips, coaching and equipment sales. Tom is a BCU Level 3 Coach and Local Coaching Organiser for Shetland. Off-season he likes to travel, to paddle and walk, and just be a tourist. In addition to Shetland and the west coast of Scotland he has kayaked in places as diverse as Norway, the Greek islands and Tasmania.

Chris Jex

A school trip to North Wales was the spark for Chris’ inexhaustible passion for climbing, walking and kayaking.

Chris has worked in the outdoor industry for the past sixteen years, instructing, developing and managing outdoor activities in the Outer Hebrides, Skye, North Wales, France and Orkney. For the past seven years he has lived in Orkney, working as the Outdoor Education Advisor for Orkney Islands Council. He has paddled, dived, climbed, travelled and worked in remote and beautiful places within the UK, France, Italy, Morocco, Thailand, The Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. Chris has shared his love of the outdoors by coaching and instructing others in a wide range of outdoor activities. He is a Level 4 Sea and Inland Coach, a Level 3 Open Canoe Coach, an Open Water Scuba Instructor and holds the Mountain Instructor Award and a Paraglider Pilot rating.