About Sea Kayak Alice

Sea Kayak Alice has been in operation since 2017 run by myself Alice McInnes, a sea kayak coach and guide based in Edinburgh, Scotland. I deliver sea kayak coaching and guided trips in the local waters on Firth of Forth and East Lothian, multi-day expeditions on the west and north coasts of Scotland in locations such as the island of Bute, Arran, Oban area, the Slate Islands, Skye, Shetland, Orkney. I’ve also worked in Devon, Wales at several events.

Qualifications

  • British Canoeing Advanced Sea kayak Leader
  • Sea Kayak Coach Advanced Water
  • Provider for British Canoeing Personal Performance Awards Sea Kayak Award, Coastal Sea Kayak and Advanced Sea Kayak Award
  • 3 star white water kayak
  • Outdoor First Aid (REC level two)
  • Foundation PaddleAbility
  • Summer and Winter Mountain Leader – combined kayaking and hillwalking trips?!
  • RYA Day Skipper / Power Boat 2

End of a week expedition, Skye, west coast of Scotland

Tiderace Sea Kayaks In Scotland >>> demos and sales of Tiderace Sea Kayaks and I have a small range of kayaks to suit all.

Female focused

I am a founder of the Women’s Sea Kayak Festival, a UK-based all-female event which helps promote female paddlers and coaches on and off the water.

Started in 2012, at the time it was the UK’s only all-female sea kayaking event, and has proven that there is both interest and demand for female-specific events and for female voices on the water. I am passionate about helping more women get out and enjoy time on the water. A spin-off sister festival has run successfully in Devon since 2016.

The UK and Scotland has arguably some of the best sea kayaking in the world. I am lucky to have paddled many areas, including:

  • Isle of Skye
  • Shetland
  • Arisaig and the Small Isles including Rum, Eigg and Canna
  • North-west Scotland, Summer isles, Handa.
  • Clyde and the Cumbraes – Bute and Arran, Great Cumbrae and Wee Cumbrae
  • Firth of Forth and East Lothian – the islands of the Forth, including Bass Rock, St Abbs.
  • Firth of Lorn – Lismore, Shuna
  • Isles of Scilly
  • The Farne islands
  • North Wales
  • Cornwall
  • Brittany’s surf and tideraces.

My backstory

I started sea kayaking in 2009, having spent many years in the mountains walking, climbing and biking. I  fell in love with sea kayaking and opportunitites for 360 degree views, encounters with marine life, weather that can be literally thrown at you, access to the most fantastic beaches in the country, and a friendly international community of fellow paddlers.

2016 – Skye to Thurso

2021 – Double crossing of the Pentland Firth

2023 – Circumnav of Islay

In 2017, I took the option of redundancy from a job in a well-known bank in Edinburgh, and swapped my office chair for a kayak seat and my spreadsheets for a marine chart, and I am pursuing my passion for coaching people through kayaking and the outdoors.

Coaching rescues and self rescues

Coaching philosophy

I have a programme of continuing personal development. I occasionally use a surf kayak, a river kayak, I’m developing my skills and confidence in winter mountains and embarking on work as a polar guide in Antartica. This makes me understand the value of continual learning. I encourage trial and experimentation and see the value in failing on the way to success.