Paul Younger

Head Coach

I have been involved in canoeing for over forty years. I am passionate about paddle sport and everything it has to offer people and have been coaching for over three decades at club, county and at national levels. 

Qualifications and Training

MSc Sport Coaching (Loughborough)

MCIMSPA Cimspa: Coach Advanced Practitioner

Coach Educator and Assessor

Level 3 Slalom Coach

Personal Performance Provider

Safety and Rescue,  WW Safety and Rescue, First Aid.

Interests and Passions

 Paddler development, Coach development, Club development and management, Paddling community collaboration.  Slalom, Touring and Sea Kayaking.

Sophie Adams

Instructor

I’ve been paddling at the Club since 2021 and have loved it. I am a Division 3 slalom paddler,

the Club's Youth Representative, a Paddlesport Instructor and have the Foundation Safety Rescue award.

Qualifications and Training

Chris Blumenbach

Instructor

As a Paddlesport Instructor, I enjoy being able to share my enthusiasm with new paddlers and also to see them progress, whether that be getting involved in competitive paddling on whitewater, fun sessions with the youngsters or simply gaining confidence in a kayak and being able to paddle confidently along a river.

Qualifications and Training

Sarah Blumenbach

Instructor

I joined the club as a result of the “This Girl Can” course run in conjunction with Chelmsford Council. It was great to get out on the water, in the summer sun, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the peacefulness of the river. Since then, I have progressed my skills with the club to include rescue techniques and also become a paddlesport instructor. I’ve also been able to gain confidence in white water through club trips and coaching.

Essex Slalom Squad is very much a welcoming club – friendly, encouraging and great for families - which manages to cater for people who are interested in gentle paddling, club trips and also for those who are wanting to compete in slalom events.

Qualifications and Training

Ian Coates

Instructor

I have been paddling for about 5 years since a chance meeting with Paul. I am far more into touring than competition or whitewater. I enjoy the social side of paddling with a friendly club and seeing the world from a different angle. Being a relative newcomer I have  personal experience of being fresh to kayaking which helps with seeing where new starters would benefit.

Qualifications and Training

Hannah Everett

Instructor

I first tried kayaking in Greece and enjoyed it enough to find a club nearby when I returned home. Essex Slalom Club was very welcoming, and I’ve been a member for about 7 years now. Although the water in the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation isn’t quite as clear as in Greece, and certainly not as warm, the navigation is a lovely place to paddle, and I’ve learned a lot, achieving my Paddlesport Instructor certificate which allows me to help new members pick up skills and enjoy the sport too.

Qualifications and Training

Jackie Everett

Instructor

I think kayaking is a fantastic activity to take part in, so being able to introduce people to the fun and pass on some skills is great; to see someone who is apprehensive to begin with start to relax a little and enjoy their time, and to feel delight in succeeding in making the craft go in the direction they want it to go, is something I find rewarding.  And of course, being able to explain and provide the awareness of their surroundings to new craft users helps prepare them in case something unexpected happens, and this provides the assurance which enables them to begin to relax and enjoy the activity, and hopefully wish to continue to paddle and learn in the friendly atmosphere of our Club.

Qualifications and Training

Paddlesport Instructor
Safety and Rescue

Tanya Roberts

Instructor

Qualifications and Training

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