About Us
51.6762° N, 4.9184° W
Who are we?
We’ve often wondered how many hours we’ve spent at sea. Collectively, years, perhaps. The sea is our home, our work, our dedication, our teacher, our freedom, our path, and an endless source of joy and wonder.
Knowing how our journeys on the water have shaped us as people, and how paddling has enriched our lives, it is impossible not to feel compelled to share this incredible gift. And to do so responsibly, sustainably and consciously, bringing more awareness to the marine environment and how to honour and protect it.
SUP Guides is a family run business. Rachel and Ben have years of experience guiding and coaching around the Pembrokeshire coastline. All our staff are professional, friendly, fun, experienced and highly qualified SUP Coaches and guides / Leaders
with a true passion for the aquatic environments they journey on. We can’t wait to share these special places with you, whether it’s your first time on a paddle board or you want to journey in the big tidal environments. We feel privileged to be part of your journey.
Ben Fothergill
Director / Lead Instructor
I grew up in Aberystwyth in Mid Wales. I was lucky enough to be brought up in a house full of adventuring family from my Taid (grandad in welsh) who taught himself to ski on home made skis to my dad who was an ultra marathon runner before it was a thing all the way to my mum who has rowed the irish sea in open celtic long boats numerous times. I grew up mountain biking and playing in the rivers,sea and mountains of Wales and Scotland, which led on to paddling, surfing, climbing, and skiing.
After travelling, Uni and living and working in a range of countries around the world I settled in sunny Pembrokeshire with my beautiful wife. We have a wonderful little person that we now share our adventures with.
I am never happier than spending time with people and sharing this world class SUPing and sea kayaking venue with them is what makes me tick. I genuinely learn something new every time I go out on the water. I love the challenge of reading the water and picking up on those subtle changes that are always occurring. It certainly keeps the grey matter working. I love using the energy of the ocean to help my team and I navigate this amazing place. Maybe it’s surfing a surging swell onto a beautiful beach, getting shot along on the tidal travelator whilst heading out to the islands or surfing the front wave of the bitches. The power of the sea really is mind blowing and I get to share that with people every day.
Ben holds numerous qualifications if you would like to see the list please click below.
Bens Qualifications +
British Canoeing Awarding Body.
Advanced sea kayak leader
Surf kayak leader
Advanced Canoe leader white water and open water
Raft guide
Coastal SUP leader
Inland open water SUP leader
White water safety and Rescue
Coastal Navigation Tidal planning provider
Open water Navigation and Tidal planning provider
Sea kayak leader provider
Advanced sea kayak leader provider
Personal paddling award provider
Sea kayak safety and rescue provider
Coastal SUP provider
Tidal SUP Leader Provider
Sea Kayak Coach provider (moderate and advanced) and Core coach provider SUP Coach Provider
Canoe Coach Provider
Advanced Sea kayak coach
open water SUP coach
Advanced Canoe coach
Performance coach trained (new level 3)
Rescue 3 swift water rescue technician
Core coach
National trainer/assessor for canoe wales /paddle cymru
For:
Sea kayak leader
Advanced sea kayak leader
Sea kayak safety and rescue
Coastal navigation and tidal planning
Open water navigation and tidal planning
Coasteer lead (13 years’ experience)
ASI level 1 surf instructor
SLSAGB beach lifeguard
Royal Yachting association qualifications-
RYA day skipper
RYA powerboat instructor level 2
RYA level 2 powerboat
RYA rescue boat driver
RYA Advanced powerboat
RNLI crew member for 4 years
Mountain Leader training board-
Rock climbing instructor (RCI)
RCI coastal endorsement ( hauls, rescues and causality extraction)
Summer Mountain Leader
Winter Mountain Leader
American Avalanche association-
Level 1
Level 2
Scottish Snow Sports
Level 1 Foundation Ski Instructor
Extensive experience Ski touring/mountaineering in the Alps, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan and of course Scotland.
Working towards my Backcountry snow sports leader and my Mountain snow sports leader.
Degree in ocean science and marine biology from Plymouth University
Diving-
HSE commercial diver
PADI Rescue DIver
PADI Dive master
Driving Licence (full no points)
Trailer Licence
Mini Bus Licence
Rachel Bott
Director / Lead Instructor
Rach is not only a SUP guide and coach but also a marine biologist with a keen interest in the marine environment. With a great understanding of the intricate systems of the British coastlines; SUP experiences with Rach are not just about the skills and the craft but also connecting with the environment and exploring all the wildlife along the way.
Rach has been coaching in Sea Kayaks and other water-craft for over 10 years and also has a keen interest in exploring and teaching in the mountains.
The Wider Guiding Team
Alongside our core coaches we have a team of highly qualified and motivated associate guides with a wide range of skills and interests. This adds to the richness of SUP Guides and furthers the drive to nurture informed and independent SUP Paddlers
- Matt Brey
- Ricky Roberts
