Name: Luke

Position: Manager

Background:

Luke started working for Brighton Canoes in early 2005 as a part time sales advisor whilst studying at University in Brighton. Since then he has climbed the ladder to the dizzy heights of Manager of Brighton Canoes. Luke started kayaking when he was elevens years old at the nearby Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club which he now helps to run and coach.

Paddling Experience:

Luke’s favourite past time is whitewater kayaking which has taken him on numerous trips to Wales, Dartmoor & the Alps. However, given Sussex’s distinct lack of whitewater Luke can also be seen getting a local kayak fix touring the coastline in a sea kayak and has been known to take the odd mackerel fishing trip in one of the shops various angling sit-on-top demos.

Qualifications:

BCU 4 Star
BCU Level 2 Coach
First Aid

Name: Richard Brinkmann

Position: Assistant Manager

Background:

Richard began working at Brighton canoes on a part time basis and has recently taken up a full time possition as our new assistant manager. He is a welcome addition to the group with a wealth of knowlege and experience.

Paddling Experience:

Richard paddles largely with the CVCC, of which he is now Chairman.

He has enjoyed running many G4+G5 rivers in the U.K., Scotland, and France.

He also loves to get in a little surf session or two whilst visiting his dad down in cornwall although he always says "its not often enough".

He regularly takes his two children out in the open canoe,especialy in the summer months, and loves pulling his canoe up on the bank to enjoy an overnight camping trip.

Qualifications:

BCU 5 star WW

BCU Level 3 Coach

16 Hr Wilderness FIrst Aid

Advanced WW safety and rescue

Level 2 Fitness instructor

Name: Adrian

Position: Sales Advisor

Background:

Adrian joined Brighton Canoes in the spring of 2009 on a part time basis.  When he’s not in the shop Adrian runs his own Canoe/Kayak Coaching business teaching BCU/UKCC 1 & 2 Star Paddling skills, Foundation Safety & Rescue Techniques and tailor made sessions. For info please email: info@thekayakcoach.com

When Adrian isn’t working he enjoys many different aspects of paddling from kayak fishing, surfing, and running white water. He has been paddling for 8 years & helps run & coaches at Martlet Kayak Club in Brighton. Away from the water Adrian has a keen interest in anything outdoors, walking, camping, cycling, running, gardening & poultry keeping.

Qualifications:

BCU/UKCC Level 1 Coach

Trainee BCU/UKCC Level 2 Coach

BCU 4 Star Surf Leader

Whitewater Safety and Rescue

Wilderness First Aid.

Name: Steve

Position: Casual Part Time Sales Advisor

Background:

Steve works for Brighton Canoes on a very part time basis. In fact he has a proper full time job and only really helps us out on the odd Saturday when some of the rest of the team can't drag themselves out of bed. Steve has 20 years experience in retail and banking and is now a calibration technician measuring very small things in his full time job.

Steve has been in the sport for more years than he cares to remember and in that time has paddled various discplines. Steve helps run and coach at the Cuckmere Valley Canoe Club and has welcomed hundreds of newcomers to the sport. He is also a whitewater kayaking veteran of various regions of the Alps, Wales & the South West.

Qualifications:

BCU 4 Star
BCU Level 3 Coach

Foundation Saftey Rescue Trainer

Rescue 3 First Responder

First Aid at Work

Whitewater Kayaking in Scotland