About Us

Welcome to WaterSportWhiz.com, the leading online resource for all things related to water sports – with a special focus on kayaking and paddle boarding.

We’re more than just another water sports blog; we’re a vibrant community of enthusiasts who thrive on the thrill of water-based activities.

From in-depth reviews of the latest kayaks, paddle boards, gear, and accessories, to comprehensive guides on paddling techniques and water safety, our goal is to provide you with all the information you need to master the art of paddling.

Mission Statement

Our mission is simple, whether you a season pro or a total beginner;

To produce and publish the finest Water Sports information available on the internet.  Information that not only gets you started in the Water Sport of your choice, but permits you to excel.

Bit About Us

WaterSportWhiz was born in 2019 out of our founder’s, Sam’s, love for paddle-based water sports, such as paddle boarding and kayaking, and a desire to share his passion with the world.

What started out as a hobby has grown into a leading online resource for water sports fanatics and a full-time venture employing a team of writers and experts.

We are a group of six experts and enthusiasts, whose knowledge spans the vast array of activities classified as water sports. With hundreds of hours of product reviews under our belts and thousands of miles paddled, we are not just writers, but experts in our field.

Here at WaterSportsWhiz, we live, breathe, and practice what we preach, which is evident from our content.

So whether are you seeking advice on the best kayak for beginners? Or perhaps you’re interested in learning about the various types of SUPs? Maybe you’re wondering which floating platform is ideal for freshwater fishing? Or, are you in need of tips on how to stay warm and dry during the colder months? Whatever your question may be, we have the information you’re looking for.

Let us share what the WaterSportWhiz Team has learned.  And, together we can get outside to have fun in, on or under the water with our family and friends.

Let’s make a splash.

So Why Did We Start The Site

When our founder Sam was first starting out, he found that finding trustworthy water sports advice was a bit hit-or-miss. Often, the information omitted key points, was incorrect, or outright misleading

Finding the right information shouldn’t have been such a challenging and time-consuming task. He found himself digging through numerous forums, trawling Facebook groups, watching endless YouTube tutorials, and reading posts on various sports magazine websites. It was a process of trial and error that didn’t need to be so difficult and time-consuming.

Sam wanted to create a website that would provide clear, accurate, and trustworthy information to its readers. Additionally, he aimed to create a platform that would allow him to explore and engage with the sports community. Sam believed that by involving more people, the sport would grow even bigger.

Who Are We

Our Editorial Staff

Sam - Water Sports Whiz

Sam

Founder, Kayak & Paddle Boarding Expert

Meet Sam, the man behind WaterSportsWhiz. With over two decades of first-hand experience across various water sports, he created the site in 2019 to become a trusted guide for others pursuing their aquatic passions.

Armed with a paddle in one hand and a keyboard in the other, Sam shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise to help shape future generations of paddlers.

As an active member of both the American and British Canoeing Associations, Sam ensures WaterSportsWhiz remains a beacon of impartial, real-world advice readers can trust.

Nessa Senior Writer WaterSportsWhiz

Nessa

Senior Writer & Kayaking Expert

Meet Nessa, our resident water sports pro. For over 20 years, her life has revolved around kayaking, paddle boarding, and riding waves.

As an ACA-certified instructor who has taught 500+ students, Nessa brings an incredible depth of expertise. She blends this with her passion for writing honed as Senior Writer at SunShineKayaking and through a Master’s in Journalism.

She’s excited to share her know-how and get you pumped about paddling here at WaterSportsWhiz.

Simon Taylor WaterSportsWhiz 300 x 300

Simon

Writer and Fishing Expert

Introducing Simon, our resident fishing guru. With nearly 40 years of angling under his belt, he brings a wealth of knowledge to cover all things fishing – be it freshwater or saltwater, gear reviews or community building.

Simon combines lifelong on-the-water experience with business savvy as owner of Taylor’s Lead Lounge. His passion for the sport shines through in his writing and enthusiasm for educating others.

Ready to cast lines and tell tales, Simon is eager to pass on new skills and time-tested wisdom to the WaterSportsWhiz community. He’s the ultimate angling authority you want on your team!

Learn More About Simon
Tim WaterSportWhiz

Tim

Writer, Diving and Kite Surfing Expert

Say hi to Tim, our resident thrill-seeker at WaterSportsWhiz.

He’s got a quarter-century of water sports under his belt, from commercial diving to kitesurfing. He’s the guy who’s been there, done that – and got the wet suit to prove it.

Whether it’s running his wake board park in Thailand or diving head-first into rescue missions, Tim’s the real deal.

Now Tim is eager to use his hard-won expertise to motivate the next generation, whether it’s imparting skills or captivating them with epic stories.

So when this veteran speaks, newcomers should listen. Let his passion for passing the torch ignite your own desire to get out on the water!

Learn More About Tim
James Stevens - Water Sports Whiz

Jim

Writer and Globetrotting Adventurer

Meet James (or Jimbo, as he prefers), our globetrotting outdoor adventurer. Through extensive travels, including a life-changing 2018 kayaking expedition in the Amazon, he’s become a passionate advocate for conservation.

Jimbo brings a unique perspective shaped by his experiences as a paddle sports coach and writer for SunshineKayaking.

Armed with an adventurous spirit and belief in the power of storytelling, Jimbo aims not just to regale but to inspire activism – calling readers to respect and preserve the natural world.

Marketing and PR

Kayleigh Ellis Outreach manager WaterSportsWhiz

Kayleigh

Outreach Manager

Meet Kayleigh, the savvy mind behind our outreach campaigns.

With a rich background in sales and marketing, she quickly went from helping out to leading the charge. Kayleigh also shares a love for water sports with Sam, a connection that sparked their relationship.

She brings the same level of dedication to her work as she does to her time on the water.

Where Does The Information Come From On This Site?

Sam is our Editor and Chief, he plans and edit all content.  This is to ensure that the information is on the highest standard.  Nothing is published without his say so.  

(Ok, his other half Kayleigh might help a bit and edit out a few of his dad jokes…it’s for his own safety)

At WaterSportWhiz, outside of our in-house experts,we are able to draw information from a wide range of people and sources.  This comes from our various pursuits, club associations, and friendships.

The majority of the information on this site comes from own personal experiences.  Time to time, we use the services of a freelance writer. Especially, on a niche topic where they are an expert in that field.

We are try, where possible to buy, inspect and use any product that we review.  This way we can bring you a real-world and authentic appraisal. And, not some re-worded sales blurb that appears on other sites – I will mention no names!

However, from time to time, it may not be possible for us to obtain direct access to a product. It could be due to several reasons such as; the product being out of stock, a supplier’s inability to deliver a sample in a timely manner, or it may simply not be financially feasible to make a purchase – hey there are only so many $3000 fishing kayak we can afford at one time.

However, there are occasions when we may not be able to directly access a product. This could be due to various reasons, such as the product being out of stock, a supplier’s inability to provide a sample promptly, or it may not be financially viable for us to make a purchase. After all, we can only afford a limited number of $3000 fishing kayaks at once.

In such situations, we will clearly state this in our review. In these cases, we rely on genuine feedback and comments from real customers to provide you with the necessary information.

But one thing we can promise is that we are, and will remain, totally independent. We have no affiliation with any particular brands, products, or supplier so you can trust that our reviews and recommendations are impartial and are genuinely reflective of our own options.

Feel free to take a look at our detailed editorial process guidelines, which clearly outline the principles we adhere to and the high standards we uphold in our content creation.

We aim to ensure that the information on this site is not only authentic but factual and unbiased.  But, if you disagree or have something to add then please feel free to drop us a message, we would love to hear from you.

To Wrap Up…

If there are any topics or subjects you would like for us to cover then please let us know via the contact page.

After all, we created this site for you.

We would also love to hear your comments and experiences. If you have some words of advice to new and established Water Sport enthusiasts.  Feel to leave them in the comments sections under each of the articles.

Thanks for stopping by, we all hope you enjoy the site.

Best wishes

Sam and the WaterSportsWhiz Team.