The Team

Matthew G Allen

Chairperson

+ Water Leader

Matt is the Club Chairperson. He has been involved with the club since 2008 and took over the Chair position from Phil … Big shoes to fill !

Matt will be found on the External Sessions singing songs from the BellBoats and taking part in the general “Tomfoolery” – He also likes to paddle on Moving water and is a big advocate for inter-club relations so members can meet new people, have new experiences & enjoy themselves. It’s also Matt who is regularly pestering the committee members that it’s time for another meeting !

Richard Leason

Treasurer

+ Water Leader

Rich is our money man, he keeps the clubs finances ticking over and tells us off when we’re spending too much ! Richard is a keen touring canoeist and has been part of canoe clubs for several decades himself.

Lauren Ellis

General Secretary

+ Water Leader

+ Welfare Officer

Lauren is our newly appointed General Secretary, she is perfectly suited to this role, Lauren loves a highlighter and a list ! She is also studying Medicine at Leicester University so she’s always busy … Lauren has tried her hand at all the activities the club has to offer and has proved herself proficient in all of them. Lauren is also William’s partner so has to think on her feet when he asks if she’d like to go out on the water with him !

John Taylor

Coach & Leadership Officer

John is our Head-Honcho when it comes to coaching. John is the guy who reminds us occasionally that what we may be about to do, could indeed be done easier, safer or we shouldn’t be doing at all ! John has been kayaking almost all of his adult life in and outside of the UK. John can be either found gently pootling along a flat water river or taking part in a weekend moving water trip.

Hal Angseesing

Webmaster & GDPR Officer

+ Water Leader

Hal has been in the club for circa 11 years now and has also paddled everything from flat water to moving water – again with age, comes insight and why propel yourself on the flat if the moving water does that for you !? Hal can be found helping at many events for the club and does keep the website ticking over for us along with ensuring we are GDPR compliant.

John Gillespie

Equipment Manager

+ Water Leader

John is our resident handy man – He repairs everything that we break and keeps our club base clean and tidy. John also helps out at pretty well, every event we run and also now enjoys the moving water aspect of the club too.

Stephen Staples

Weekday Session Co-Ordinator

+ Water Leader

Steve has paddled from an early teenager at Boat House Paddlers before the amalgamation. He has paddled moderate moving water and often helps lead our external sessions with the scouts/guides and air cadets etc. Steve is also a keen Mountain Biker and Skier and normally appears somewhere on Matt’s holiday pics !

William Moir

Safety Officer

+ Water Leader

Will is our resident thrill seeker and if there is a “big Boy Toy” for the job, he has it ! Will has taken part in all aspects of paddlesports from touring to competition slalom – With age comes insight and he has realised the power of the outboard motor far out weighs the power of the paddle ! You may catch him on the river one day, in a slalom boat, a bellboat, kayak or speed boat – You never know !

Hope Faure

Member Welfare Lead Officer

Hope Joined us during 2023 starting her journey into paddlesport. Hope is primarily here to keep us in-check with our safeguarding processes and guidelines. She is also our lead welfare officer – Hope always has her friendly face on, so if you ever need anyone to talk to, this is your lady !

David Wilkinson

Committee Member

+ Aspirant Water Leader

Dave is new on our committee and has also taken his first steps on to moving water. Dave helps us out on all occasions where he can at the same time as keeping his two boys in check !

Phil Ball

Ex-Chairperson & Committee Member

+ Water Coach

Where do we start with Phil !?
Phil has been in the club for decades and has tenured the Chairperson position for several years during that time. Phil is our all round story teller, chief yeller, canoe coach & The Clubs “Grandad” We have no idea where we would be without him – Thanks Phil !

Tara Taylor

Committee Member

+ Aspirant Water Leader

Tara is a member of the committee who helps us out in several ways. Tara always comes along to help at our open days and enjoys the touring paddles we do over weekends.

Tom Angseesing

Committee Member

+ Water Leader

Tom has grown up knowing the canoe club from a young teenager and has paddled on everything from flat water to high grade moving water with this club and his university club.

Tony Taylor

Committee Member

Tony gives his time up on varying occasions to help us at the club despite not having much time to paddle for himself due to work. Tony’s hard work at out open days and events are well appreciated !

Lisa Wilkinson

Committee Member

+ Aspirant Water Leader

Lisa is a member of the committee and her insight into what it is like to have families within the club is important to us. Lisa also helps out on sessions and has taken her first steps into the world of moving water.

Mark Toussaint

Committee Member

+ Water Coach

+ Welfare Officer

Mark has been in the club almost as long as it has been formed. Marks’ dad, John was one of the founding members of the club when it was just a bunch of 18 year olds going paddling … therefore Mark has been involved with the club in one way or another for several decades. Mark has a keen interest on boating out in Slovenia and similar places – Mark can be found coaching our Thursday sessions at the Club Base.

Robert Ventress

Committee Member

Rob is a member of our committee and his insight into the running of the club and what it is like to be a member is invaluable.

Matthew Hollas

Committee Member

+ Water Leader

+ Welfare Officer

Matt has a military background and his efficiency is something that we try and tap into at committee meetings discussing plans for the club. Matt has also done varying leaderships on the water in his military career.