Ozpaddle Sydney

04/01/2024

It's my busiest time of the year so no posts mean working hard, not that I've got nothing to post. It's the opposite!!

Thankfully it's been the most wonderful weather for kayaking recently. A few windy mornings which make it challenging. Light winds are the easiest...

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." Pablo Picasso

I had such a fantastic and full morning kayaking with so many gorgeous people. I had to use a colourful quote for all the colourful experiences I've had. I hope everyone who comes on my kayaking tours thinks I do have a gift in guiding and instructing as well giving all my customers the gift of a memorable experience and some beautiful photos. That is the meaning and purpose of my tours 😊

05/12/2023

Please see link to my live broadcast on Sunday morning on Sunrise Channel 7 thanks to Destination NSW. I appreciate you always contacting me to be included in features like this 🥰

19/11/2023

Love is in the air...So many kisses this weekend! I love seeing and feeling the love between people on my kayak tours ❤️ I think the fresh air, salt water, movement of the body, fun that is had, the freedom away from everyone and the atmosphere creates the right energy for it. If I can help create that then that's a win 🥰

"The need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence.” Dalai Lama

24/10/2023

Sydney opera house. You beauty 🥰 I hope I look this good when I turn 50 (but I doubt it!). You certainly are worth celebrating ❤️ you helped put Sydney on the world stage.

“Beauty perishes in life, but is immortal in art” Leonardo da Vinci.

For 14 years, I've personally taken thousands of people kayaking up to and around you, I've seen you in all different lights. I love how every day you look different, as the day progresses transforming with shadows casting over your different sails and spotlights of sun reflecting off your tiles.

“Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light” Le Corbusier

I could share a million images but with 10, I'm highlighting the diversity of the people who come with me from friends, families, parent/ child, team building and couples. The colourful faces from all over the world, always happy experiencing seeing Sydney Opera house from the peaceful waters that surround it.

It's been a privilege and an honour to share my passion and a beautiful piece of architecture with so many people over the years.

“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness” Frank Gehry

14/05/2023

Please do not follow account "OzpaddleSydney79" - it is NOT me! Do not follow, click on links or messages they send you. Thank you!! https://instagram.com/ozpaddlesydney79?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

07/02/2023

It's been a while since I've posted....Life has been busy with kayaking and kids on summer holidays. I'll be playing catch up soon as have plenty of photos to share of kayaking tours over the last couple of months. Not posting doesn't mean I'm not operating, just I have many other things I'm doing (like taking people kayaking!)

I'm starting back with this morning's paddle as nature worked it's magic and created a sky unlike what I've seen before. It was a full moon but the clouds were dark and grey and not a whisper of wind created the reflection. I love the first shot as if the clouds and reflection are about to gobble up my kayaker as if great jaws about to swallow him up! Instead the clouds dispersed to create a beautiful tranquil and sunny morning on Sydney harbour 🥰

"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." Friedrich Nietzsche

14/12/2022

Happy Birthday Jack! What a way to start your day - on the water with your partner and friends. Lucky you having these lovely women in your life! 🍀

Sydney certainly put it on for you this morning before the southerly hits for a few days. Always feels lucky to be right next to a cruise ship as it sails by. Love it so much ❤️

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other." Richard Bach

13/12/2022

Stunning sunrise kayak tour yesterday. Sunny, warm with light winds and an additional treat to have the Queen Elizabeth sail by so close as she arrived in Sydney harbour.

As always, it was so much fun leading the tour. I had a mix of people joining: a lovely tourist visiting from Singapore and a fabulous group who live in Sydney celebrating a birthday, with Colombian and South African backgrounds.

"Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness." Ola Joseph

13/12/2022

A few weeks ago I was approached to be in a segment for "Better Homes and Gardens". Such a privilege to be featured even though I hate cameras! I loved meeting the wonderful Adam and having the opportunity to show the Melbourne boy Sydney from a different perspective. Sadly the bad news it was blowing up to 40 knots westerly that day we filmed so we couldn't get a boat out to take film crew and we couldn't paddle my normal route up to Sydney Opera house. Lucky to even be on a kayak that day and such a relief that Adam was such a great sport! I did manage to take him around the corner and take these snaps. I think you can see it was wild and windy from water movement. Thank you to the crew for being so amazing ❤️

I have realised recently how much trust is involved in my business. Every time I take people kayaking, they are trusting me not only with their lives (some people can't swim) but also with the experience that I am giving them. They are spending their valuable time and money coming to me to have a fun and memorable time kayaking on Sydney harbour and taking away some beautiful photos of them in front of Sydney opera house, Sydney harbour bridge and the city.

This is a huge responsibility but I'm happy to take that on for what I believe and say is true. I am the real deal, the one that started kayak tours on Sydney harbour. I have built my business over the last 13 years on elements of trust: care, compassion, competency, communication, character and consistency. I am a small business and I genuinely love what I do. I am proud that I don't do any advertising, that my business operates on word of mouth by providing an experience people love by trusting in me and what I do. To me, there is nothing more important than that.

"The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them". Ernest Hemingway

09/12/2022

My business was featured on this weeks episode of Better Homes and Gardens. For those that missed it and would like to see it and understand more about what my business is about, you can watch it here:

Sea kayaking for beginners

15/11/2022

Thank you to my contingent of UK doctors who chose to come kayaking with me at sunrise this morning. Total rockstars as most arrived in Sydney last night and yet they got up at 4am to see the start of the day from the seat of a kayak. Hopefully it was worth it as it was a beautiful morning. A lovely bunch of people who had travelled all this way to one of their friends wedding from University. It was obvious from the energy what a close bunch of friends they are and shared special memories. That's true love ❤️ I am grateful to be able to share in their joy and hopefully give them another memory which will connect them and that they can treasure forever.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.” Mark Twain

13/11/2022

Stunning sunrise on Sydney harbour. I will leave the photos to show you how amazing it was. This last week, I have had 3 x repeat bookings. I don't promote my tours, I love that I receive business through word of mouth. How can I not be happy that I have made people come more than once?!

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends." Walt Disney

10/11/2022

It was a joyous morning celebrating life with a lovely bunch of humans today. Life is about connections, meaning and stories. Today was a lovely story so I will share...

Two brothers came to Sydney 6 years ago with their dad and came kayaking with me. Sadly their dad passed earlier this year. This time the four siblings travelled to Sydney to lay his ashes in Sydney harbour and decided to come kayaking again to enjoy the experience they had with their father a few years before. The sun came out to show the happiness of sharing a memory and we had showers which served as tears for the sadness of a life missed. It was a special morning filled with smiles, laughter and sharing: And then I saw a quote someone had shared which was just perfect to fit this day! Some things are just meant to be...

"The most beautiful things in life are not things. They're people and places and memories and pictures. They're feelings and moments and smiles and laughter." unknown

10/11/2022

Amen 🙏

08/11/2022

This beautiful lady came spontaneously kayaking with me at sunrise today. She came four years ago and decided she wanted to do it again. Thank you April for coming again to enjoy what I have to offer. It brings joy that I can brighten someone's day time and again. You certainly brightened mine...

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” Seneca

06/11/2022

Loved taking some US sailors out on the water this morning. Such good sports and lucky me they chose my kayak tour. I'm always learning something from the people I meet and value every single interaction. It's always different...

"Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of others." Mother Theresa

30/10/2022

Have I mentioned how much I love my job? ❤️ What an absolutely stunning morning it was today. Here are a few shots from this mornings tour of a beautiful Irish couple who chose to do my tour on their last day in Australia.

Having taken my children around Australia and the world for 4.5 months after a crazy few years that we have all had, I was unsure about how life would be on my return. I had no choice but to get straight back into life and work. It's been quite overwhelming in one way but like I never left in another way... the good and the bad, as always, with everything.

Something I have remembered on my return is how much I love what I do: I love the people I meet and who come kayaking regularly with me, I love photography, I love the part of Sydney harbour I work on, I love Sydney opera house, I love the botanical gardens, I love paddling, I love water, I love moving my body, I love inspiring others and I love sharing my passion. There is a lot to love! Lucky me.... I am not saying it is easy, I'm not saying it's not challenging and I'm not saying it's not hard work but, like having children, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties faced and I choose to see the best in what I do.

One of the most important lessons I have learnt in my life is that we all make our choices and what is most important about those choices is taking responsibility for them and making the most of them. Nothing is ever perfect but we can choose to see the benefits to anything in our lives if we want to, even the challenging parts.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver

27/10/2022

Such a privilege to take Flip and her guests from Colorado kayaking yesterday on such a glorious morning. I'm so lucky to be able to showcase this beautiful city from the seat of a kayak. Having been in the Rockies myself recently, I'm aware mountains are a very different environment but there is a deep connection from the power of nature between mountains and the ocean - great forces, fresh air and fun surfing waves or flying through snow or hiking, the highs and the lows. It's great being back doing something I love in Australia's natural wonders ❤️

“Happiness never decreases by being shared.” Gautama Buddha

24/10/2022

"Scotland the Brave"

Despite the windy and wild weather on Friday morning, this delightful family from Scotland braved the conditions and had a wonderful morning on Sydney harbour kayaking with me!

"If you look for perfection, you will never be content" Leo Tolstoy

18/10/2022

It's good to be back!! What an adventure I have had with my children over the last 4.5 months. We all make choices daily, we make sacrifices continuously and we feel joy and pain throughout our lives. This year has been an abundance of everything for us and it will take quite a while to soak it all in. Life is full of connections and it's good we have connected to the world again. With new experiences brings new perspectives. As a parent, I wanted to show my children all of this and whilst we may live life differently all over the world due to geography and cultures, we are all the same underneath no matter what we have, what we do or where we come from.

I was happy that we brought the sunshine with us when we landed on Saturday so I could get straight back into doing what I love: sharing my passion with others, teaching them correct kayak technique and showing them Sydney harbour from the seat of a kayak.

I took a couple of families out at 8am on Sunday morning for my 3.5 hour Sydney Adventure Tour. It's my original tour and the best! It's a stunning way to see the city and all it has to offer from a kayak. In addition to kayaking, we had a rest and enjoyed some fresh fruit, my home made coconut macaroons and a bush walk to some beautiful spots.

"Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity." Christopher Morley

08/09/2022

Today is a sad day as we say goodbye to the Queen of England, HM Queen Elizabeth II, a remarkable human being and woman who has had a profound effect on so many throughout the world over such a long time. She epitomises everything remarkable about being a woman. She made me proud to be British and I feel lucky that we have had her as our monarch for so long. She has been the mother of our nation and beyond, her influence flung wide, upholding her values, never faltering in her service to us. We couldn't have wished for a better matriarch to represent Britain and be a part of our world over so many changing and challenging times.

Although I am missing Sydney and kayaking, I feel fortunate to be staying with my mother in England and watching the BBC when I heard this devastating news. To be able to join in national mourning is a blessing.

Regardless of anyone's opinion on the Royal family or Great Britain, no one can deny that this World has lost a wonderful leader and human being. I am not ashamed to have shed a tear for a woman so inspirational who has led with hope, great love and humility and I worry for this world for her loss. These are just a few of the quotes from her majesty that have inspired and which show her care for all people:

“We may hold different points of view but it is in times of stress and difficulty that we most need to remember that we have much more in common than there is dividing us.”

"Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour.”

“Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others.”

“When peace comes, remember it will be for us, the children of today, to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place.”

“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”

“It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.”

Thank you for your lifelong service. RIP ❤️

24/07/2022

Another update for Ozpaddle Sydney:
I'm sorry but I'm not operating at the moment Winter is the only time I can have a break and it's pretty bad weather right now. There are far better times to go kayaking in Sydney when it's warmer. Winter is far from ideal so I am taking the opportunity whilst I can as it's been a long time since I stopped...

I am now in Thailand with my children meeting one of my sisters who I haven't seen for 3 years. I'm spending valuable time with her and the 6 cousins together. Not only can I finally relax, it is a joy finally being with family and sharing some time together. I think we all appreciate that after being disconnected from our loved ones the last few years due to covid and not being able to travel far.

"A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved." Kurt Vonnegut

26/06/2022

Sorry I've been offline recently but I've swapped the water and ocean for the outback and bush the last few weeks and taken my kids on a road adventure to see a different side of this beautiful country we call home. The colours and light, the changing faces of all the places have made it a wondrous and magical journey full of happiness and delight. I couldn't recommend it more...

"Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears." Les Brown

25/04/2022

The full moon, the clouds, the sky, the sun rising, the water, the trees, the rocks, the waves, the air, the moon rising, the stars, from the start of a new day until it's end at night... feeling our world through the power of nature. Nothing feels quite like it. Appreciate the magnificence that surrounds us, it should never be taken for granted. Tuesday 19th April 2022.

"The ultimate luxury in life remains nature."
Robert Rabensteiner

17/04/2022

Happy Easter! I hope everyone is enjoying beautiful weather and lots of love and laughter surrounded by family and friends.

"Let everything you do be done in love."
Corinthians 16:14

These are a few of my Easter Saturday sunrise tour photos with Gary and Kelly. It's getting cooler early now but the sun was creating warmth in bright colours.

20/01/2022

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/20/youll-get-a-six-pack-a-beginners-guide-to-kayaking?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

With memories of sore arms from school camp fresh in his mind, Bertin Huynh learns how to get maximum propulsion for minimum effort

04/11/2021

Fabulous sunrise kayak tour this morning celebrating Mary’s 50th birthday. This woman is not 50!!! Despite plenty of cloud, it was warm with hardly any wind so perfect conditions. We had so much fun together, it didn’t feel like work. It wasn’t just my equipment which was light 😊

“Nothing is worth more than laughter. It is strength to laugh and to abandon oneself, to be light.” Frida Kahlo

02/11/2021

My rainbow paddlers captured underneath the arc almost perfectly framing Sydney harbour bridge. We didn’t choose shark island, the sunlight shone through the clouds and showed us the way… it felt like I was looking through a black and white or sepia camera; I had to keep turning back towards the other way to check it was real… An incredible morning enlightened by the surprise showers, certainly not dampened by them, to give us a special morning to remember.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” J.R.R. Tolkien