The current committee (2024-2025) are:
Chairman: Mark Gillett
Treasurer: Tom Brockett
Secretary & Membership: Anne Greenhalgh
Welfare Officer: Genny Sargent
Committee members: David Brain, Lewis Downward, Mark Heeley, Steven Pike, Jules Taylor, Ben Wetherill
Brief biographies
Mark Gillett (Chair)
I built my first canoe in glass-fibre at the tender age of 14 whereupon I started paddling on lakes, the sea and some rivers in Cumbria. I joined Bristol Canoe Club in 1978 prior to University, where I paddled slalom and WW for several years. Some 11 years after University, I returned to Bristol and re-joined the Club getting to know many members who also went on river trips to the Alps, Norway, Scotland and the Grand Canyon. More recently I have been organising Canoe Polo within the Club, where we have developed several teams who competed in the National and SW Leagues. In addition to WW and Polo, I enjoy Wave Skiing on Woolacombe beach, which seems to have become a forgotten canoeing discipline but provides excellent fun in the surf – let me know if you are interested!
Tom Brockett (Treasurer)
I joined the club in 2018 and I had never properly been in kayaking before, but now I’ve been to amazing places all over the UK and also some trips abroad with a great group of people!
My main passion is whitewater kayaking but I also enjoy flatwater trips (if its sunny). This club helped me get to grips with the sport and really get the most out of it I possibly can!
Anne Greenhalgh (Secretary)
I have been paddling or dabbling in paddling) for over 10 years. I take part in most forms of paddling, including SUP, racing, sea kayaking and low-grade white water. I enjoy the gentler side of paddling especially flat water, which gives me opportunities to explore areas that are usually inaccessible by other means. We will have a number of easy paddles during the year, so check the calendar for what’s on.
David Brain
I’ve paddled for nearly 30 years, at sea and on white water, gaining British Canoeing L3K Sea & Inland, plus UKCC L2 coaching qualifications along the way. (Although I’m old and rusty enough to limit myself to Class 3 these days!). Kayaking and open-canoeing has taken me to many rivers and coastlines of the UK, plus a few more in Europe, the USA and Asia. I feel privileged to have paddled in so many beautiful and challenging environments – although my Registered Sight Impaired status has made some of my experiences a bit too exiting for comfort!
Mark Heeley
My racing canoeing journey began at 13 with Harlow Canoe Club. After a detour into snow skiing and windsurfing, I rediscovered my passion for paddling with Bristol Canoe Club in 1997, racing marathon, sprint, and now also ocean surf ski. Bristol Harbour, with its unique character and stunning cityscapes is a constant inspiration. After serving as Racing Representative on and off the committee for many years , I returned in 2022 to reinvigorate club training and the growth of our racing section. Whether you’re an experienced racing paddler or want to discover more about this discipline, please do get in contact via the club email address: racing-enquires@bristolcanoeclub.org.uk
Lewis Downward
I started kayaking during university where I first started playing canoe polo. I have now been involved in almost all of the tournaments with the aim to get our team up in the rankings.
I also paddle on white water having explored Slovenia, Austria, France, and Scotland. I am hoping to continue paddling in Europe adding Italy and Spain to the list.
I currently coach during the pool sessions helping people get comfortable on the water.
Steven Pike
I started kayaking in 2012 with Tower Hamlets Canoe Club, based in East London. I soon developed a love for white water grown from day trips to Lee valley, and weekends in Devon and Wales. In 2021 I moved back home to the west country, in part, to be closer to rivers, and joined Bristol Canoe Club. I’m close to paddling 100 rivers in Uganda, Slovenia, Ecuador, Scotland, Colombia, Guatemala, France, Austria and Switzerland… but mainly in Devon and Wales. I enjoy sea kayaking and circumnavigated Menorca in 2022. I also try to play canoe polo and have been involved in a few tournaments for Bristol. I’ve recently become white water rep and happy to support anyone looking to get into white water.
Genny Sargent
Despite growing up in Bristol, I didn’t start kayaking until I moved to Bangor, North Wales, for university in 2015. I did mostly white water whilst I was at Bangor and loved it, went on all the trips I could whilst I was there and participated in the varsity competitions all 3 years. After Bangor I had a year abroad in Bergen, Norway where I’d heard great things about the white water out there. Unfortunately I lived far enough away from the good white water that I didn’t get to do much of it and instead joined a sea kayaking and canoe polo club. This was equally great and gave me a new appreciation for these disciplines of kayaking that I hadn’t previously tried. I moved back from Norway the start of 2020, just before the pandemic hit and didn’t do much kayaking at all before I joined Bristol canoe club in May 2021. Since I joined I’ve been to the harbour sessions, a few easy river paddles and more recently the Lake District trip. I’m keen to see what the coming year as part of the committee has to hold!
Jules Taylor
I’ve been kayaking for over 50 years now. First slalom , then downriver racing , sea kayaking ( Level 4 qualification ), then in the 2000s started flatwater racing. Completed DW 3 times , twice solo and once ( never ever again 😂) double. Raced the Cheshire Ring 4 times …2 non- finishes , and 2 first places . Last three years been racing Quadrathlon…triathlon plus kayaking.
2022…National Trophy Champion
2023…European Age Group Champion.
2024…Overall National Champion
Overall Trophy Series Champion
World Age group Champion middle distance.
World Age group Champion Long Course.
Unbeaten in my age group for 3 years ( V60 ) .
Over the years have completed in Ironman triathlon , Double Ironman , and 2 Triple Ironmans. Many sprint triathlons, Hasler races, lots of half marathons, and 24hr ultra runs. Recently competed in BMX racing ( keeping up with my 14 yr old daughter ), and go climbing 3/4 times a week with eldest 20yr old daughter.
Looking to defend National Quadrathlon titles in 2025 , and race some new kayak only events . 🤩Been in Bristol since 1995.
Ben Wetherill
I started paddling around the age of 10 with Bath CC after my parents sent me on a free trail day event with the club. Despite finding out I was quite good at it and really enjoying it, I didn’t paddle much till I went to university in the flattest part of the country, Norwich. In those millponds and waterways I become a level 3 instructor doing a lot of work with Scouts and the local outdoor centre in my spare time. With various trips around the country, to Wales, Scotland and The Lakes I became a white water kayaker and with the judicious use of plywood we’d transform the local Norwich millpond into a passable park-and-play hole for some more ‘three dimensional’ kayaking (playboating).
I moved to Bristol on ’07 and joined BCC straight away. I’ve largely been here ever since. BCC gave me my first taste of internation white water kayaking with the annual trips to the Alps. Other trips to Morocco and the US have also been fantastic; with whist water being my principle disciplin. Now I’m starting to consider my grade 5 white water days as being behind me, but I’m still easily swayed now and then. I’m slowly getting back into teaching after a decade off. I enjoy passing on the skills and meeting all the new people who come through the club.