The 2022 Sea Kayak Festival organisers are Sea Kayak Club WA’s, Steve Haddon, Pel Turner, Mark Stallbaum, Lexi Adamson, Shantha David and Peter Fall, along with Paddle WA’s, Rosalie Evans. You can contact them via; email – fest@seakayakwa.asn.au and develop@paddlewa.asn.au.
Organising Team SKCWA
Steve Haddon
I started paddling about 25 years ago at Swan Canoe Club. I was instantly hooked even with the frustration of trying to paddle in a straight line in a slalom boat. Paddling was totally absorbing and was a fantastic stress relief at the time. I soon got into the adrenaline (read aaahhh) of white water and participated in a few Avon Descents. Other commitments have come and gone so my time for paddling has also come and gone over the years.
I have been paddling in a sea kayak for about 7 years now. I am constantly amazed by the ocean with the variability of colours, waves, animals, rocks and reef. From calm glassy water to breaking waves that appear out of nowhere. Paddling gives a different perspective to the power and beauty of the ocean. Can’t wait to be on the water again.
Pel Turner
I grew up in the Busselton area and loved being in the ocean surfing and diving and progressed to paddling when I moved to Perth 16 years ago, first on skis but got sick of falling off in rough seas and then discovered sea kayaks and the SKCWA.
I have been a club member 14 years and enjoyed the comradeship and learning new ocean skills. I have been on many great trips away around the state and overseas with the club and am looking forward to more.
Shantha David
I started sea kayaking in British Columbia in my mid-20’s largely because I couldn’t paddle a river kayak straight and absolutely hated trekking with a backpack! I was lucky enough at the time to be able to do several expeditions over many summers exploring the protected east coast of Vancouver Island. Needless to say, I fell in love with sea kayaking as the ultimate way to explore the outdoors. Despite taking a 20+ year break – not a very child-friendly sport – my enthusiasm was re-kindled with a return to BC in 2018 with my husband, followed by Scotland, Tasmania and Ningaloo. Most recently I’m thrilled to have become a member of several amazing groups of kayakers – the Swan Canoe Club, WA Sea Kayaking Club and last but not least our Wild Old Women on Water (WOWOW) group. Over the past 2 years, I have definitely felt like I don’t need to go anywhere else at all – it’s just right at my doorstep! Oh, and my favourite paddle? Always the most recent one…
Lexy Adamson
I love the great outdoors and used to do a bit of flat water paddling around Albany on a sit-on-top before I saw a FaceBook post to try sea kayaking. That was just over 12 months ago.
Being so new to kayaking, the majority of my paddling has been in the Great Southern. What a beautiful place we live in. We are so fortunate to have some of the best paddling right here on our doorstep.
The experience, dedication and passion our instructors bring to the sport to help and encourage us newbies is truly inspiring. I can’t thank them enough.
I enjoy getting out on the water and hope to continue to build on the skills I’ve learnt to become a more competent paddler and see where paddling takes me.
Mark Stallbaum
After paddling surf-skis and sit-on-top kayaks in North Queensland for 5 years, a family move to WA 3 years ago prompted a change to sea kayaks. As much as I liked paddling the coast north of Cairns, I really enjoy paddling with SKCWA club members around the Perth coastal areas and particularly the South-West of WA. Such a contrast of scenery and wildlife, and it’s nice to experience 4 seasons.
Peter Fall
I retired to Albany in 2015 and sold my yacht, but still wanted to engage somehow in my love of the sea. The idea of sea kayaking popped into my head and I reached out to the Albany Sea Kayak Club, even before I returned to Australia. The club was hugely supportive and I have been paddling regularly since then as well as taking up whatever training was offered. I still have many skills to develop, but the sea offers boundless opportunities and friends are always close by when I overstep the mark and need assistance. One of my favourite paddles is Emu point to Gull Rock Beach (aka Boiler Bay) – the beach always seems so peaceful and welcoming after the rebound along the Mt Martin coastline.
Organising Team Paddle WA
Rosalie Evans
Sea Leaders
Les Allen
I’m a PA Senior Instructor and Assessor and have paddled most of the WA and East coast as well as Tasmania. I was one of the founding members of the Sea Kayak Club and started the Paddle Fest 10 years ago. Which now makes me an old man who still loves kayaking.
Jenni Harrison
Jenni Harrison has been paddling the south coast of WA for over 10 years, and following a recent 3 year exploration of the east coast and Tasmania decided it really is some of the best sea kayaking country in Australia. But don’t tell anyone. Jenni loves paddling Albany’s remote granite cliff lines which remind her of Tassie and long distance exploratory expeditions camping on isolated beaches. She is constantly getting better at ‘dancing with her kayak’ and enjoys a bouncy paddle more than anything.
Ann Smithson
I have always been a passionately keen outdoorsy girl, and started kayaking regularly when I moved to Western Australia 10 years ago. I particularly enjoy kayak expeditioning, and succeeded in my aim to lead remote kayaking trips in WA. I also enjoy passing on my kayaking skills, and have been involved in instruction both through UWA and SKCWA. I am proud to have completed an Avon Descent, and am an enthusiastic and very competitive rogainer. Professionally, I am an ecologist and conservation biologist. After many years in academia in the UK lecturing in conservation biology, my move to sunny Western Australia lead to working in the science section at Kings Park researching our native plants. I am now an independent ecological and botanical consultant, and enjoy bringing my passion for understanding wildlife to a wider audience.
Steve Haddon – See profile in ‘Organising Committee’ above.
Damon Haddon
While I’ve grown up in and around kayaks, it wasn’t until four years ago that I joined the Sea Kayak Club and start paddling more seriously. In 2021 I completed my Sea Instructor qualification and continue to develop my skills with both the Sea Kayak Club and the UWA Outdoor Club.
When I’m not instructing with either club, I try and get out around WA as much as possible, whether that involves sea or whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, or anything else that strikes my fancy.
Andrew Munyard
Having enjoyed whitewater kayaking as a teenager, and having been a sailor for many years,I returned to kayaking nine years ago, but this time I wanted to combine kayaking with my sailing experience and sea kayaking was a great way to do this.
I have gained my PA Sea Instructor qualification and enjoy transferring sea kayaking skills to others.
I love interpreting the ocean environment, weather and geography to create exciting and enjoyable paddles. I enjoy multi day trips and have done some along the south coast, Shark Bay and paddled Bass Strait in 2020.
I enjoy tinkering with kayaks, both building and modifying. Adapting them to ensure I get the most out of them in the ocean environment.
Bruce Pilgrim
Did a bit of kayaking in my home built PBK when I was a scout in NZ. After arriving in WA got involved with Scouts again and was in the Scout Paddling Team teaching canoe skills. We were donated some Sea Kayaks so took the opportunity to develop my Sea Kayaking skills and then introduced Sea Kayaking to WA Scouts. Now that I have my Sea Kayak instructors award I am able to help other paddlers in the Scouts and Sea Kayak club to improve their skills.
