Meet Our Committee

A club needs a committee to effectively manage its operations, represent the interests of its members, and ensure that a Club meets its goals and objectives. Committees help distribute responsibilities, making it easier to organise activities and maintain a Club's overall health and sustainability. Our Club constitution, along with process, policies and procedures follows PaddleUK guidance and adapted specifically for the Club. Copies of these can be found here.

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Paul Younger

MSc Sport Coaching,. MCIMSPA Cimspa: Coach Advanced Practitioner , UKCC L3 Slalom

Chair

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

Sarah Blumenbach

Secretary

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.

Nick Shuter

Treasurer

I have been involved in various areas of Paddlesport for over 30 years. Introduced to Kayaking through scouting going on to experience FreestyleKayaking during time at University. For the past 20 years Nick has regularly participated in Slalom with a spell competing in K1 Division 2.

Clive Everett

Membership

My first experience of kayaking was as a Cub Scout on a lake during a camping weekend over 50 years ago. Apart from the occasional paddle whilst on holiday in a sea kayak or rowing boat, I did not take up kayaking as a regular pastime until approximately 7 years ago whilst looking for something my whole family could take part in together and hence the decision to join the Essex Slalom Club with my wife and daughter. My interest in kayaking and other forms of paddling are purely for enjoyment, exercise and social rather than the need to compete against others, although it does provide the opportunity to challenge myself, if and when I feel the need, such as, shooting a weir or experiencing white water, in a variety of craft. I would recommend to anyone to give kayaking a try at Essex Slalom Club, either alone, with friends or as a family; it is a very welcoming Club to all.

Ian Coates

Club Safety Officer

As a Club we take safety seriously. Paddling should be both fun and safe. You won't be wrapped in cotton wool but will always be safe be that the equipment you use or always having an instructor close at hand. My background is in the construction industry where everything we do is to remove hazards and reduce risks. You'll have a great time paddling.

Chris Blumenbach

Equipment Officer

My first experience was in a Canadian canoe on the River Chelmer - great for family trips with both young and old - and since then I’ve also enjoyed sea kayaking trips along the Essex coast in sea kayaks, and more recently, learning white water skills on Club trips to Lee Valley, the River Severn and the River Derwent. I’ve also got involved in kayak slalom events at Division 4 recently. Being on the water and concentrating on paddling allows me to forget about work and focus on the here and now, while enjoying being outdoors and in the good company of fellow paddlers.

Sophie Adams

Youth Representative

Part of the Club's affiliation with PaddleUK involves having a youth section. I am really happy to represent the youth members of the Club, so that their views, needs and ideas can be communicated to the Committee.

Anna Adams

Welfare

As a parent of an avid kayaker, my family and I have been welcomed in to a community we never knew existed.

As Co-Welfare officer, I hope to help the Club to continue being a supportive safe place for all Kayakers. I am Safeguarding trained, a first aider and a slalom enthusiast.

Dr Mary C Younger

BSc (Hons) Psych., MSc., CPsychol, AFBPsS., DProf

Welfare

My first encounter with kayaking was over 40 years ago in Walsall Arboretum and shortly after joined Essex Slalom Squad, where I met a community of people who were encouraging, generous with their time and guidance, loved the outdoors and always up for a paddling adventure. I loved it! It is a joy to say that this is still my experience. I am delighted to be part of the Welfare Team and to be able to support ESS Club members in their Kayaking journeys