Wave Ski Women's World Cup Master Winner - Two times World Surf Kayak no. 2 - an absolute force of nature, a 100 mph lady and makes a mean mince pie!!
Reed has been supporting me since the start of my surf kayaking journey and I am honoured to be one of their sponsored paddlers.
I first met Chris in the summer of 2013 when the chair of Bideford Canoe Club got in touch with them saying there was a keen, young, local surf kayaker in need of some better kit! Chris was amazing and agreed to sponsor me with a topdeck that fitted my surf kayak and a transpire fleece to wear underneath. I immediately appreciated the extra shoulder flexibility, along with being considerably drier and warmer than with my previous attire! 
Later that year I went on a surf trip to Sri Lanka. Knowing the air and water temperature would make surfing in a kayak "a little uncomfortable" I asked Chris for his advice and he made me a short sleeved top deck to wear on surf trips in warmer climates, which made my trip much more enjoyable (and much less heat stroke-y). 
In 2015 the Reed trailer joined the England Surf Kayak team on a trip to Pantin Spain for the World Championships. The Reed crew really felt like part of the team, supplying us with our team kit, helping out with repairs, taking some great photos, cheering us on and accompanying us on several socials (along with their speedos which always seemed to be proudly drying on the back of their camper van).
Fast forward to the next World Championships in 2017 and we had the opposite problem to Sri Lanka - a competition held in late October in Northern Ireland...brr! Reed rose to the occasion once again, providing the England team with Beach Patrol Jackets that were the envy of the other competitors...especially those from further south! Again the Reed team and trailer were there, wrapped up warm, loyally supporting us...minus the speedos this time.
Reed has helped support me raise funds to travel to Peru for the 2019 World Championships by providing prizes for the quiz night I held. This was an amazing trip and I was so happy to come second and make them proud! :-)
In 2022 I ran a surf kayak competition at Saunton and Reed stepped up again as a local company to donate some fantastic prizes which were much appreciated by the participants in the beginners class. The 2022 World Surf Kayak Championships was held in Bude and the Reed trailer and team were there once again showing their support and helping the England juniors out with their kit. They really are so supportive and encouraging for our young surf kayakers, for which their families are so grateful-as surf kayaking can initially be an expensive sport to get into.
I am currently focusing on waveski surfing ahead of the 2026 Waveski World Championships and Reed kit makes winter surfing a lot easier. As someone who feels the cold a lot, it frustrates me when I have to stop surfing because I can't feel my hands anymore. I use the Reed short sleeved transpire fleece to add extra warmth under my wetsuits, the Reed skull cap under my helmet to keep my head warmer when rolling and of course the trusty Reed beanie before and after paddling. These all help to keep my core temperature warmer which means more blood flows to my hands and I can surf normally for longer.
Reed has always been on hand to help me with the small things that add up to make a big difference. When I got a new kayak they changed the spray deck to fit the cockpit, they help me with repairs to my wetsuits and they tailor their kit to fit me and my requirements. It's always lovely popping in after a surf, chatting about kayaking and seeing the talented team at work.
Congratulations on 25 years in business, thanks for all your support you have given me during half of them and I wish you many more!
