About
Skip.
Practitioner.
A career spent doing the work — not selling it.
Background
SHACADEMY exists because of the people behind it. Decades of operational work — on the water, in the field, behind the scenes of productions, expeditions, events and education programmes — shape every piece of advice we give.
Skip is a practitioner first. The work has always come before the qualification, the network before the brochure, and the relationship before the contract. That order matters.
What clients and partners describe is consistent: someone who has been there before, who tells the truth quickly, and who knows the right people to make a good project succeed.
Experienced people helping good projects succeed.
Career journey
Lifeguard & Swimming Instructor
Early years on the water, learning that safety and good experience are the same thing.
Property & SJI Overseas
Developing properties and exploring how destinations, communities and experiences connect.
Ride Bansko
An adventure travel business in Bulgaria — tourism, logistics, partnerships and destination development in a new environment.
The SHAC
Building one of the UK's most established inland outdoor water venues from the water up.
GLAGLA UK
Bringing a proven international cold-water paddle event format to UK waters.
Yukon 1000
2023 SUP division record holders — proof that the same operational thinking works at the limits of endurance.
SHACADEMY
Turning decades of practical experience into structured support for venues, events, projects and people.
We Are Wild
Testing whether nature, adventure, learning, creativity and community can coexist in one integrated project.
The SHACADEMY Philosophy
People.
Places.
Organisations.
Helping the outdoor sector thrive.
Real-world experience. Practical solutions. Lasting impact. SHACADEMY sits at the intersection of consultancy, safety, operations, events, production, people, places and technology — one trusted partner for whatever the outdoor sector throws at you.
Trust & Authority
Trusted Experience
SHACADEMY's experience has been shaped through projects, collaborations, qualifications, events, training programmes and professional relationships developed over many years.
Industry & Governing Bodies
Qualifications held, courses delivered or standards worked to. Inclusion does not imply endorsement, accreditation or formal partnership.
- STA
- RLSS
- CIMSPA
- Paddle UK
- GBSUP
Venues & Estates
Locations where projects, programmes, venue development or operational support have been delivered.
- Buckland Park Lake
- National Trust properties
- Birtley Estate
Education
Schools where outdoor sessions, programmes or workshops have been delivered.
- Belmont School
- Box Hill School
- Dunottar School
- Eton College
- Hurtwood House
- Reigate Grammar School
- Warlingham School
Brands & Production
Brands whose equipment has been used in operations, field testing, production work or industry collaboration.
- Mustang Survival
- Palm Equipment
- Zone3
- Starboard
- Ocean Specific
- SUP Junkie
- Scott Sports
Many of SHACADEMY's strongest ideas have emerged through working alongside experienced people from different sectors, disciplines and organisations.