Board Members

President

With over 40 years of paddling competition and coaching experience, Andrew Hayden leads the Paddle WA Board with vision and drive. As a sports physiotherapist, Andrew has long been an advocate of paddling for rehabilitation and recreation, bringing many new members to our sport. His experience as a coach at Bayswater Paddlesports Club saw Andrew play a key role in developing the framework of junior programs in WA.

Amanda began paddling in 1988 and made her first Australian Team in 1997. Soon after she was selected for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, teaming up with three other Australians to finish 10th in the Women’s K4 500m event. Amanda has since joined Swan Canoe Club to develop a junior flatwater program, and has recently coached our female junior sprinters to compete at National Championships. Amanda works as a librarian and runs her ‘Milford Sound Lodge’ business in New Zealand.

Claire is an independent board member and despite only recently being introduced to our sport, is an invaluable addition to our team. Claire has worked at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for a number of years, giving her a deep understanding of the WA sport & recreation industry, and access to unique opportunities & grants to further develop our sport in WA. She is a passionate martial artist with over 30 years of training, coaching and officiating, and often competes in triathlon and trail running events.

Ken began paddling in 1967 and was Australia’s most decorated surf life-saving competitor when he retired, having won over 50 medals across his 23-year career. Ken represented Australia at multiple Canoe Sprint World Championships before gaining selection to the Australian Olympic Team. He competed at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, finishing 8th in the K4 1000m event. Ken is a highly-versatile paddler, having won the WWK1 at the 1978 Australian Wildwater Racing Championships.

Leonie has been a highly-involved member of the paddling community for many decades, and was the president of Ascot Kayak Club for 8 years. She was inducted as an AKC Life Member upon her resignation to recognise her role in the clubs’ development, and still continues to volunteer and instruct around the club. Leonie is Paddle WA’s most qualified instructor, regularly running PAQS Education courses all across WA, and having overseen the growth of the LiveLighter Paddle Academy. Leonie owns her own paddle tour business on the Swan River called Water Wanderers. 

Terry is a well-known figure in the WA paddling community. As a Life Member of both Paddle WA and Ascot Kayak Club, member of the Paddle WA Hall of Fame, and Legend of the Avon Descent, Terry has a widespread influence over the sport and has experience in every paddling discipline. His list of achievements is endless, with some being the owner of Canoeing Down Under, author of 6 x books, numerous Avon Descent finishes, and having travelled over 70 000km across his many international expeditions.