Meet the Team

A small team with a shared approach

Sea Kayak Academy grew from a simple idea: that great coaching is about more than qualifications and destinations. It’s about creating the right environment for people to learn, build confidence and enjoy spending time on the sea.

Built on more than a decade of paddlesport experience in Pembrokeshire, the Academy was created by Ant Goddard as a coaching-focused home for sea kayaking on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Today, Ant leads the Academy, shaping its direction, developing new courses and journeys, supporting the coaching team and continually investing in the facilities and infrastructure that have become a central part of the Academy experience.

Rather than employing a large pool of freelance coaches, we work with a close-knit team who share the same philosophy: thoughtful coaching, conditions-led decision making and helping paddlers develop genuine confidence on the sea.

Every course and journey is shaped by the same standards, whether you’re joining us for your first sea kayak experience or working towards advanced leadership.

Leadership & Coaching Team

Ant Goddard

Founder & Managing Director

Sea Kayak Academy grew from a simple idea: that great coaching is about more than qualifications and destinations. It’s about creating the right environment for people to learn, build confidence and enjoy spending time on the sea.

Today, Ant leads the Academy behind the scenes, shaping its direction, developing new courses and journeys, supporting the coaching team and continually investing in the facilities and infrastructure that have become a central part of the Academy experience.

His aim has never been to build the biggest paddlesport centre, but to create a place where small groups, experienced coaches and thoughtful decision making come together to produce memorable days on the water.

Today, his experience and philosophy help shape the Academy and the people who work within it.

Ian Jennings

Chief Sea Kayak Coach

• Advanced Water Sea Kayak Coach — Paddle UK
• White Water Coach — Paddle UK

Ian leads much of the Academy’s advanced coaching, leadership training and conditions-led journeying.

Known for his calm approach and thoughtful decision making, Ian enjoys helping paddlers build confidence through experience rather than simply collecting qualifications.

His extensive international paddling background and deep knowledge of the Pembrokeshire coastline help shape many of the Academy’s more challenging courses and journeys.

Amy Jennings

Sea Kayak Coach

• Paddle UK Sea Kayak Coach
• Paddle UK She Paddles Coach Ambassador

  Amy brings a supportive and highly individual coaching style to the Academy.

  Her sessions focus on helping paddlers relax, move more naturally and build confidence through understanding rather than force. She is particularly passionate about making sea kayaking welcoming and accessible to a wide range of people.

  Amy also plays an important role in the Academy’s women’s programmes and introductory coaching.

Working with trusted specialists

At busy times and for certain specialist courses, the Academy also works with a small number of trusted freelance coaches and assessors.

Everyone we work with is chosen because they share the same coaching philosophy and commitment to delivering a high-quality experience.

Our approach

At Sea Kayak Academy, coaching is never about ticking boxes.

We believe good judgement, confidence and enjoyment are built through time on the water, thoughtful reflection and adapting to the conditions each day brings.

Small groups, experienced coaches and a flexible approach allow every course and journey to develop naturally around the people taking part.