The OCA Committee are elected and selected to run the OCA on behalf of its members.
OCA President: Ray Goodwin MBE
Ray needs little introduction to most paddlers. He’s A British Canoeing Level 5 Coach in Canoe, Inland Kayak, and Sea, written the book on the subject of canoeing, organises the Welsh Canoe Symposium.
He’s had many many adventures, holds an MBE for services to Canoeing and continues to teach, both in person and on a successful YouTube channel.
Vice Presidents: Paul Warburton & Ian Richards
Chair: Sarah Wallis
Known as being the accident prone member of the committee, Sarah started paddling just before her 30th birthday as a way to spend time outside and justify weekend cake consumption. Sarah then became an unlikely ultramarathon paddler having completed the Yukon River Quest in 2013 and more recently the Norfolk Broads Ultra. As a wild swimmer, the combination of canoeing and swimming works well for her in whitewater season.
As a L2 coach and Paddlesport Touring Leader she looks forward to seeing lots of people out and about on trips.
Contact email: chair@opencanoe.info
Vice Chair: Daniel Spry
Dan Spry has been an OCA member for over 30 years. Dan was co-opted onto the OCA Committee and chairs the Canoefest sub-committee. Dan was at the helm for the incredibly successful 2023, 2024 ans 2025 Canoefests and is looking forward to a similarly successful event in 2026.
Contact email: vicechair@opencanoe.info
Secretary: Marion Quemby
Marion is potentially the loudest, most persuasive committee member and is fundamental in getting people involved. She has been paddling, coaching and leading for many years, having completed Devizes to Westminster a number of times, solo and tandem.
Marion’s enthusiasm and persuasion helps get even unbelievers into boats of all kinds.
Contact email: secretary@opencanoe.info
Treasurer: Sally Ward
Contact email: treasurer@opencanoe.info
Safety Officer: Tina Hedger
Contact email: safety@opencanoe.info
Events Secretary: Paula Fairman
Without Paula our trip and event provision would be significantly less than it is. She is our super organiser but is also often seen heading out, canoe on roof, across the country. Living in the South West she has some amazing water to paddle close to home but enjoys the camaraderie of a group trip out so drives quite a few miles every year.
Contact email: events@opencanoe.info
Membership Secretary: Gary Rice
Contact email: membership@opencanoe.info
Assistant Membership Secretary: OPEN
Welfare officers: Barbara Boosfield & <Open>
Contact email: welfare@opencanoe.info
Training and development co-ordinator: Mark Gittoes
Mark co-opted onto the OCA Committee as an advisor. He currently has no specific role but is an active member of this and the Canoefest sub-committee. He has been OCA Chair on three occasions and is an extremely passionate advocate for Open Boats and extended tripping. Mark began paddling at 16 and at 17 was a member of the fastest services crew in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race K2. Later, as a Royal Marines Captain he conducted his first three extended wilderness expeditions in N Canada, two above the Arctic circle. Subsequently he has organised and led numerous OCA expeditions, from two weeks to two months. He prefers mountain and tundra rivers. Mark is currently re-qualifying to enable him to lead river trips for OCA members and the Scouting Association. He has a young family and recently retired to N Devon.
Contact email: training@opencanoe.info
Newsletter Co-ordinator: Brain Ward
Contact email: newsletter@opencanoe.info
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Joe Glombek
Coaching Officer: Geoff Potts
Other Committee Members
The OCA committee also includes the following people to help the running of the OCA. Many have held previous roles guiding the OCA or have experience of events.
Dan Abel
Dan makes the IT work in a group of people who like to cook on open flame and transport themselves without power. That’s quite a feat and he is super patient with it. Dan started paddling with Sarah and they use every opportunity to get out on the water, even taking in the odd canoe race mid-holiday. Dan is a Paddlesport coach and Touring Leader so you will often come across him leading and coaching on a variety of the trips we run.