About Us
Mike and Pepper by Mark Rainsley
Mayberry Kayaking began in 2005 when Mike, having coached kayaking for seventeen years as a volunteer with the Sea Cadet Corps and in local clubs, decided he would turn his passion into his living. He still gives his time as a volunteer, coaching at Newport Boat Club Paddlers.
Growing up in East Anglia Mike’s paddling began on flatwater at the age of eight, before experiencing the excitement of whitewater rivers as a teenager. By the time he was eighteen Mike was coaching and during his twenties led groups on Whitewater trips all over the UK and Southern France. During this time he qualified as a Level Four Kayak Coach.
Having settled in Goodwick (it’s near Fishguard), Pembrokeshire with his wife Shelley and Pepper the dog, Mike has transferred all of his skills into Sea Kayaking and loves to show people like you the beauty of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. During his time off (mostly in the winter!) Mike likes to kayak the local white water rivers, surf kayak the waves at the local breaks or sea kayak in the tide races around Pembrokeshire. In 2011 Mike finished the Five Star Sea Leaders Award to add to his Level 3 Sea Coach. He also ran a ten day course in Cyprus for the British Army, completed the Irish Sea crossing and led a trip down the canals from Chester to Sharpness. The team are planning to Circumnavigate Wales (650 miles) after Easter this year so Tommy Barthorpe will be running the sea kayaking trips for me while I’m away.
Shelley pretty much runs the administration side of the business, such as taking your bookings. She is Canadian so please don’t panic when your hear her voice, you will have reached the right number! Being Canadian Shelley has bought with her excellent customer service skills from across the pond. She used to work at Fedex dealing with lost parcels from around the world so answering your questions is easy for her! When Shelley has time off you will find her working out at the local gym or speed walking the coast path.
