Dave Janes – Endorsed Guide, Leader, Coach & Tutor
About Dave
Dave is a highly experienced British Canoeing Endorsed Guide, Leader, Coach and Tutor with a reputation for calm decision‑making, creative problem‑solving, and a deeply reflective approach to development. With decades of experience across leadership pathways, personal performance coaching, and expedition delivery, he brings a rare blend of technical expertise, emotional intelligence, and visionary thinking to every environment.
Whether he’s guiding on open water, supporting candidates through NGB awards, or leading multi‑day journeys, Dave is known for creating spaces where paddlers feel safe, respected, and able to explore their own potential with confidence. His approach is grounded in professionalism, care, and a genuine belief in the power of personal discovery.
Coaching & Leadership Philosophy
As a British Canoeing Endorsed Guide, Leader, Coach, Tutor and paddler, my role is to accompany you through your paddlesport journey with a calm, creative, and visionary approach. I believe that real development comes from personal discovery and thoughtful reflection, so I use a range of leadership and coaching styles to support you in a way that feels authentic to your goals.
Whether you’re working toward an NGB award, developing your leadership, or exploring your own performance on the water, I aim to create an environment that is caring, professional, and genuinely empowering. My focus is always on helping you make confident decisions, understand your own process, and enjoy the journey as much as the outcome.
What It’s Like to Work With Me
- Expect a calm, structured, and reflective learning environment
- I’ll challenge you appropriately while keeping the experience supportive and safe
- You’ll be encouraged to think, analyse, and make decisions with increasing independence
- I adapt my coaching style to your goals, experience, and preferred way of learning
- You’ll feel respected, listened to, and trusted to take ownership of your development
Qualifications & Experience
- British Canoeing Endorsed Guide
- Advanced Leader (discipline‑specific as appropriate)
- British Canoeing Coach
- British Canoeing Tutor (Leadership & Safety)
- Expedition leader with extensive UK and international experience
- Specialist in adult learning, leadership development, and reflective practice
- Brecon Mountain Rescue Team Member
Professional Interests
- Leadership development and decision‑making
- Expedition coaching and journey‑based learning
- Embedding reflective practice into NGB pathways
- Creating psychologically safe learning environments
- Supporting paddlers through complex or high‑challenge environments
Quick‑Fire Facts
- Favourite place to paddle: Anywhere that feels wild, remote, and full of possibility
- Coaching superpower: Calm clarity under pressure
- Most used phrase on the water: “Let’s take a moment and think this through.”
- Fun fact: Has an uncanny ability to spot weather shifts long before anyone else notices