What do you love about paddling? 

I love being out on the water and exploring my local coastline from a kayak. It's relaxing, stress-free and great for your mental health. Paddling gives me some much needed time to relax and unwind from school life and it’s also a great way to exercise and enjoy the wonders of nature. There are so many hidden gems in Orkney that can be seen from out on the water that you just can’t see whilst on land. 

How did you get into coaching?

At the start 2023, I was asked if I would be interested in helping out in a more coaching role with junior/beginner outdoor sessions with my local club (Kirkwall Kayak Club). I naturally love to help folk so felt I would enjoy this and see if coaching was something I would be keen to pursue. 

As I was then told about a Core Coach Training Course later on that year that my local club was looking at organising for anyone that might be interested. A few of the club coaches thought it would be ideal for me if I wanted to get into coaching. I didn’t think this was something I could do at such a young age (15) and hadn’t even thought about it but was told I could go for assessment once I turned 16. After looking at what the training/assessment would include and speaking to my club coaches, I felt that this was something I wanted to work towards over the next year. 

I did my Core Coach Training weekend at the end of November 2023 in Orkney and then went on to do my Sheltered Water Kayak Coach Training with Steve Mackinnon. Over the Summer of 2024, I spent as much time as possible out with club coaches and building on my coaching style, whilst getting practice organising and delivering supervised sessions. KKC coaches gave me valuable feedback and advice that I greatly appreciated as they have so much experience coaching. I then had my assessment with Steve booked for October this year and successfully passed. I have to give a big thank you to Rambo for believing in me and giving me a gentle nudge when needed. Without the support and encouragement from all at KKC, I wouldn’t be at the stage I am on my kayaking journey.

What are your coaching plans moving forwards?  

Over the next year, I want to build on my knowledge and skills on coaching paddlers. I hope to continue gaining valuable experience working alongside the other coaches in my club and finding my own style of coaching. I then hope to in the future look at doing my Sea Kayak Leader assessment once I feel ready for this.

Sarah De Rees, Kirkwall Kayak Club Coach and Committee Member

Jessica is a huge inspiration to the other kayakers in Orkney. The adult club members are really impressed with her and the junior kayakers look up to her. Jessica has a fun and relaxed way about her and shows incredible commitment to the club and the sport. She turns up every week to assist at the junior/beginner sea kayaking sessions in spring and summer, and now we are into winter, to coach at the indoor pool sessions. 

Jessica's love for the sea, drive to improve her skills and the joy she gets from coaching other kayakers is obvious. We have seen an increase in female paddlers joining the club in recent years and with Jessica as a great ambassador, more young girls are keen to give kayaking a go. Jessica's recent coaching achievement shows the younger club members that there is nothing stopping them to grow in the sport. She shows everyone that if they are committed and keen to become a coach, there is support available to achieve this.  We are very lucky to have Jessica as a dedicated and supportive club member, coach, as our junior committee member and Fit for Girls Young Ambassador. 

Steve Mackinnon, Coach Tutor and Assessor

Jessica's journey to becoming a Sheltered Water Coach is nothing short of inspiring. Her achievement reflects not only her own determination and hard work but also the strength of female role models in the paddling community—something Jessica herself has now become a part of, perhaps unknowingly.

Jessica completed her coach training on Orkney, alongside Mags Duncan and me, as part of a course organized by Kirkwall Kayak Club. 50% of the trainee coaches were women, most of whom have since successfully completed their assessments. Jessica stood out as the youngest participant, entering the training as the only one unfamiliar with Mags and I. Despite this, she demonstrated incredible bravery in stepping forward for the challenge.

Over the two weekends of training, Jessica grew in confidence, supported by the club’s coaches and committee. Her dedication, hard work, and time invested in the process have culminated in her becoming one of Paddle Scotland’s youngest qualified coaches—a truly commendable feat.



Throughout her training, Jessica was open to advice, eager to develop her skills, and determined to grow as a coach. Her ability to blend her own personal style with the techniques she learned has made her an impressive and valued member of the coaching community. One aspect that particularly stood out was her natural understanding of how to use the environment in her coaching—choosing locations that set her students at ease, a skill no doubt honed from observing experienced coaches over the years.

Jessica’s success is a testament to what can be achieved with resilience and support. It’s been a joy to witness a young paddler from a remote island overcome challenges to achieve this coach award. Her accomplishment is not just a personal victory—it’s an encouraging step forward for other young paddlers, especially young women, who aspire to follow in her footsteps. Jessica is now poised to inspire and support the next generation of paddlers, proving that with determination, the possibilities are endless.

Maisie and Katie, two young paddlers that Jessica has coached and paddles with….

"Being the first to do anything can be very scary, but knowing she has become a coach makes the idea less frightening and hopefully more of us will step up. Well done Jess."

"Jess is kind and funny. It is amazing that she is a kayaking coach and so young". 

Rambo, Kirkwall Kayak Club Chair, Sea Kayak Coach and Leader

“I first met & started working with Jess when she was a quiet, shy 9 year old. Being a small part of her kayaking journey and seeing her develop and grow over the years from that shy young girl into a confident, passionate, inspirational young woman whose personality shines through whenever she gets near a kayak has been such a privilege. I as a mentor and Kirkwall Kayak Club are all so proud of Jess & everything she's achieved.”