Coaching Team

Albert Donovan – Head Coach

The coaching/trainer team is led by Albert Donovan, an Award winning Sports Tutor, Technical Advisor and Assessor, who is also qualified to coach and assess Kayak, Open Canoe, Sea, Touring and the Olympic Disciplines of Slalom and Placid Water from beginner to advanced.

Albert Donovan, the Surrey Canoe Club founder,is the Canoe England Coach of the Year 2013 for the South East Region, the London Sport Inclusive Champion 2014 and the UK National Coaching Award Disability Coach of the Year 2014.

Albert Donovan was a presenter at the American Canoe Association Conference 2016.

Ian Fordham – Assistant to Head Coach

Ian enjoys coaching and paddling the river Thames. In his own words “there is so much variety, from a peaceful paddle at Chertsey to the tidal rush at Tower Bridge, London”.

He is a British Canoe Level 3 coach and he also holds BC Leader and L3 Safeguarding qualifications.

He has a lot of experience in touring, sea kayaking and white water.

Ross Skinner – Level 1 Coach

Ross joined the club in 2013 looking for a different sport to be
involved in, following a cycling accident. He achieved the 3 star
open canoe award and the coaching qualification in 2015. He
enjoys helping others to reach their full potential in a club that
provides equal opportunities for all. He has also volunteered his
time to help set up the river site from an overgrown piece of
waste ground to what you see today.

Cindy Barling – Level 1 Coach

Cindy started paddling as a youngster with her brother’s Scout group. She loved her first bulky red kayak to pieces. In her teens her father replaced it with a new double kayak and kayaking was a family activity. Cindy seized paddling in adulthood until her daughter joined the local Guides group. She loved getting back into boats and rekindling her love of kayaking. She eventually became an instructor and Leader for the group. Cindy moved to Surrey Canoe Club six years ago. In her own words “I am free not only to teach some of the most enthusiastic and kind kayakers but to develop my own personal skills and I’ve made some incredible friends along the way.”