Our committee and coaches are made up of club members who freely volunteer their time to assist the club in its operation and activities.
BCCC Committee
 | Nick Howarth – Chairman Nick joined us in 2021 returning to paddling after a longish break. He has enjoyed racing – now div 6, Touring and Whitewater the combination of which allows him to roll in anger coming down the Menia Straights. |
 | Rachel ER Neighbour – Secretary Rachel also joined us in 2021 and the committee in November 2023. She is the main contact for all members. Rachel organises and minutes all of the committee meetings and AGMs, as well ad hoc administration for the club, whilst enjoying touring trips. |
 | Rick Covell – Treasurer Balancing the books amongst other things, such as organizing trips and repairing boats. |
 | Nancy Thomas – Safeguarding and Welfare Officer Nancy is our go-to person for any issues concerning Safeguarding and Child Protection. |
 | Tony Baker – Quartermaster Tony joined us in 2022 and the committee in November 2023. He is responsible for the effective management of the boat house and maintaining a list of equipment and its condition. |
 | Ross Phillips – Health and Safety Officer Ross joined us to improve his paddling technique, to support his adventure racing. His favourite experience was taking part in the ITERA World Series Adventure race in Scotland in 2022 and South Africa 2023. |
 | Zoe Griffiths – Committee Member and L1 Coach Zoe is an enthusiastic paddler and volunteer willing to give ‘anything a go’. Happy in a racing boat, tourer, GP, Canadian canoe or even a SUP. She is a Level 1 Coach and member of the ‘Boat Repair Crew’. Her chief aim is to ensure all club paddlers have fun on and off the water, and achieve their goals in doing so. Zoe’s aspiration is to introduce more paddlers to the pleasure of paddling. |
 | Sarah Francis – Committee Member and L1 Coach Sarah’s primary kayaking interest is K1 and K2 marathon racing. She also enjoys sea kayaking. If she ever misses a race, it is because she is competing in an orienteering event. |
 | Bill Hansen – Committee Member and Club Hasler Events Manager Bill joined us in 2004 and the committee in 2015. He was Chairman for three years and has now taken on specific responsibility for events including the Club Hasler. |
BCCC Coaches
 | Paul Jeffs – Trip Coordinator, L3 Inland Kayak and L2 Racing Coach Paul has served several roles in the club and takes part in both marathon and white water disciplines. His enthusiasm for canoeing never lets him down, as can be seen from his grin! He holds the Level 3 Inland Kayak, Level 2 Racing and Level 1 Slalom Coaching awards, and isn’t frightened of paddling an open boat either. He is a real proponent of trying every paddle sport discipline, from river running, through racing and sea kayaking, to polo and more. |
 | Brian Biffin – L3 Coach Brian is a Level 3 Coach. These days he prefers sea trips and Grade 2 inland paddles. He is also a qualified paddle boarder and a very keen skier. |
 | Doug Cann – L3 Coach Doug has returned to kayaking after a 40 year gap, following his retirement in 2021. He has recently qualified as a Kayak Coach and is now on his journey to becoming a Whitewater Kayak Coach. He is enthusiastic about encouraging people to enjoy kayaking and improve their skills, to enable them to become independent paddlers. |
 | Anne Biffin – L2 Coach Anne is a UK CC Level 2 Coach. She enjoys sea kayaking, kayak touring, paddle boarding and open boating. She tries, with little success, to keep husband Brian in check. |
 | Richard Somerset – L2 Racing Coach Richard was a long serving member of the committee, but stepped down to do more paddling. He is still very much involved in club life taking a leading role in coaching white water and flatwater racing. He is a very experienced paddler, holding Paddle UK 4 Star Kayak, Paddle UK 3 Star Open Canoe and Placid Water, as well as being a Level 3 Kayak and Open Canoe, and Level 2 Racing Coach. |
 | Andrew Jeffs – L1 Coach Andrew is a Division 1 racing paddler who joined the club at 5 years old. He gained his 1 Star at 6 years old and became a L1 coach at 16. Kayaking has always been at the forefront of his mind from an early age. With a history of white water, playboating, slalom and polo kayaking, you might also see Andrew in a variety of other boats and competitions. |
| Zoe Griffiths – L1 Coach See above bio. |
| Sarah Francis – L1 Coach See above bio. |
BCCC Instructors and Volunteers
| Dave Howie – Race Captain | Paul Jeffs – Trips Coordinator |
| Tony Gallagher – Hare & Hounds Master | John Rickett – Boat Repairs |
| Chris Badham – Paddlesport Leader Qualified to lead touring trips on sheltered water | Kelly Knight – Editor and Chief of the BCCC Matters monthly newsletter |
| Jane Bocutt – Qualified to lead touring trips on sheltered water | Steve Atkins – Club courses coordinator and membership support |
| Rick Covell – Paddlesport Leader & Instructor, qualified to lead touring trips on sheltered water, and manages the club website | Rachel ER Neighbour – Assists with the website and social communications |
Want to get involved?
We are always on the lookout for new coaches, instructors and volunteers. So get in touch if you want to get involved or qualify as an instructor or coach. In the meantime, check out our training courses.