A man taking a selfie on a paddle-board near a large sea stack with a lighthouse on top, with other paddlers in the water, under a clear blue sky.

SIMON LAING

Adventure Guide | Trainer | consultant 

I’m a native Geordie, experienced outdoor guide and ex-marine biologist. I also support other adventure businesses as a consultant and enterprise specialist. In 2013 I founded my previous company, Cullercoats Bike & Kayak, and grew it to be one of the largest adventure companies in North East England.

I am passionate about adventure travel and the outdoors and I love helping people develop sustainable activities that make the most of their environment.

    • Paddle UK Trainer & Course Provider

    • Paddle UK Coach

    • Paddle UK SUP Coastal Leader

    • Paddle UK Sea Kayak Leader

    • NEAS First Aid at Work (72 hours)

    • Paddle UK Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

    • Coasteering Guide

    • WiSe Trained Wildlife Guide

    • BSc (Hons) Marine Biology, Newcastle University

    • MSc Coastal Zone Management, Ulster University

    • Level 3 Award in Education and Training

    • Multiple tourism award wins with Cullercoats Bike & Kayak

    • First to market with urban kayaking tours on the Tyne

    • First to market with sea swim and sauna experiences in NE England

    • Leading surf kayaking expeds in Peniche, Portugal

    • Leading SUP expeds in Croatia

Person stand-up paddleboarding on a river near a forest with a historic stone castle in the background.

SONJA BÄER

Adventure Guide | illustrator | DESIGNER 

I’m originally from southern Germany but have been settled in Cullercoats, North East England for over a decade. I competed in Canoe Slalom from a young age and since then I have been in love with the water. I lead kayak, SUP and swim touring activities. In my spare time I SUP surf too.

In addition to my career in the outdoors, I am also a qualified graphic designer and I also create my own hand illustrations.

    • Paddle UK SUP Coastal Leader

    • Paddle UK Paddlesports Leader

    • Paddle UK Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning

    • ITC Outdoor First Aid

    • Paddle UK Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

    • Coasteering Guide

A woman in a maroon winter coat, black pants, and green boots, walking on a grassy path. She is wearing a black knit hat and smiling. Behind her is a stone house with a porch, surrounded by leafless trees and open fields under a cloudy sky.

mary laing

logistics | planning | consultant 

I support the adventure guiding team with logistics, trip planning and customer service. I also help develop new activities and provide consultancy support too.

My primary career is as a sociology lecturer at the University of York.

    • PhD in Social Sciences

    • MA in Human Geography

    • BA in Geography

    • Commonwealth Scholar

    • Diving in the Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

    • Seal swimming at the Farne Islands, Northumberland

    • Snowboarding in British Columbia, Canada