Tom Smith Author & Editor

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 which he found himself paddling out to the Bass Rock one perfect summer evening. He has been a sea paddler ever since. Early trips were mostly on the west and north coasts after a move to Easter Ross. 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 An introduction to outdoor activities whilst on a school trip to North Wales enabled Chris to take part in and continue his passion for climbing, walking and kayaking at an early age. Over the past sixteen years Chris has worked in the outdoor industry instructing, developing and managing outdoor activities at outdoor centres in the Outer Hebrides, Skye, North Wales, France and Orkney. Chris has lived and worked in Orkney for the past seven years working as the Outdoor Education Advisor on behalf of Orkney Islands Council. He has paddled, dived, climbed, travelled and worked remote and beautiful places within the UK, Morocco, France, Italy, 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 holds a Level 4 Sea and Inland Coach qualification, Mountain Instructor Award, Open Water Scuba Instructor, Level 3 Open Canoe Coach Award and Paraglider Pilot rating.