Kelly grew up in the South East of England, home of the Norfolk Broads. After completing her BA Hons degree in Contemporary Fine Art in Newcastle, she worked as an artist’s assistant for Sir Antony Gormley for several years. One day, walking along Tyne Green, she discovered the local kayak club, and from there her journey to paddle across the world began.
Kelly is a whitewater and sea kayak coach in the UK, currently based in North Wales. Her source-to-sea adventures began almost ten years ago when she discovered her passion for whitewater kayaking, which naturally led her to the sea. While travelling she spent time canoeing in the Gulf Islands, whitewater kayaking rivers on Vancouver Island, and expedition kayaking and raft guiding across British Columbia. She later spent time working as a kayak instructor on the South Island of New Zealand. After several years travelling overseas and kayaking on multi-day expeditions in Canada, the USA, and New Zealand, she relocated to North Wales to pursue her ambition to share her passion with others as a kayak coach. When not guiding, she loves to spend time paddling in tide races off the Anglesey coast, exploring the abundant wildlife, kayaking the local whitewater rivers, and running in the Eryri mountains — and when time allows, practising her passion for art.
Kelly’s advice to those wanting to travel: “Be open and talk to people, never stop learning, and say yes to everything — you never know where you will end up.”
The most memorable experience of Kelly’s polar career so far was the first time she saw a polar bear in Svalbard and the overwhelming sense of privilege that overcame her. It is the same sentiment she loves to witness in guests having these experiences for the very first time.
The opportunity to kayak guide in the polar regions is a huge privilege for Kelly. Through kayaking, she hopes to share her passion and inspire others about the importance of protecting these special places.
