Nat Sutton – Accounts, Marketing and Co-Owner
I grew up in the UK and chose to go on a gap year rather than go to Uni, which led me to Dubai. I was working for an outdoor adventure company who worked with International Schools on school camps. This gap year highlighted to me the enjoyment and reward of working in the outdoor sector. Here I met Aaron and ended up in NZ a couple of years later. We brought Sea Kayak Adventures in 2013 and love showing people around the Marlborough Sounds.
I am now based in Blenheim and work remotely a lot of the time but still pop through the Sounds when I can to see all our customers smiling faces!! I love sharing my passion for the outdoors whenever and however I can.
In my spare time, you will find me training for Ironman events and going out for long tramps. I love feeling the fresh air on my face and seeing as much of NZ in all it’s glory. I look forward to seeing many of you coming through the door to experience the Brilliant Marlborough Sounds.
Aaron Price – Operations Manager, Bookings and Co-Owner
Since high school, I have always had the crazy passion for the outdoors. From that point on it was about finding a way to turn my passion into my career. I graduated my Diploma in Outdoor Leadership and Management back in 2006 and have been in the industry ever since.
During my time in the industry, I have managed to work and live in some of the most incredible places around the world and meet some of the most incredible people. After meeting Nat in the UAE and then living in the UK for a wee while, we came back to NZ and moved to the Sounds. It must be a special place as that was 11 years and I still call this place home.
10 years ago, we got the opportunity to invest in the NZ sea kayaking industry, and as a young paddlers who were looking for a challenge, Sea Kayak Adventures was a no brainer.
You won’t often see me without a smile on my face. My absolute passion for the industry, the people around me, and the natural environment, will be evident very quickly. During my work hours I truly love showing people why this place is so incredible, and then on days off you will still probably find me in a kayak or on my bike.
That is because I have managed to turn my passion into my career.
Joe Sutcliffe – Senior Guide
Born in the Yorkshire Dale’s of the UK I’ve always been an outdoors guy. I spent most of my childhood going as far away from home as I could to see what I could find. My family wasn’t as adventurous as I’d turn out to be, but they did love to walk our dog which took us to some amazing places around the country. Roller blading was a big part of my life at this point and I spent every spare second outside of school I could find at the skate park and learnt a love for more extreme sports.
Alas, this life took a pause as I entered my music stage, at the age of 13 I started drumming, I played shows all over the UK and flew to California to record an album.
Band life couldn’t last forever and at the age of 21 I left the band and started working at an activity centre in the South of England. I discovered a few things here, there is so much more to discover and experience outside my hometown, I loved Paddlesports and that I loved sharing my passions with people. I learnt how to canoe and become qualified, moved to the south of France as a canoe instructor on 3 day expedition trips before becoming one of the river leaders supervising the whole trips. I worked summers canoeing and winters ever skiing or traveling round the world.
After a few years here I decided I needed to spend more time away from the UK so I moved to Japan where I was working in a ski resort for the winter and a raft guide for the summer. As I started planning my trip to move to NZ, covid rolled in and forced me back home where I did what any sain outdoorsy bloke would do, I moved to Scotland. I fell in love with the country, the access to the outdoors is world class. I became a better white water kayaker, a sea kayaker, a mountaineer, a trad climber, a winter climber and also maybe drank a little bit too much whisky. I was working as a canoe expedition guide, paddling coast to coast camping on the shores of the iconic Loch Ness. Dream job. My time in Scotland certainly prepared me for New Zealand and as soon as I saw the sea kayaking job in the amazing Malborough sounds I knew I wanted that to be the next adventure on the list.
Jake Douglas – Guide
Hi I’m Jake, a keen kayaker and big hat enthusiast! I spend most of my time paddling around the beautiful Marlborough Sounds looking for Jellyfish, Stingray and Dolphins. The rest of my time I am normally biking, tramping or relaxing in the sun.
Molly MacGregor – Guide
Molly has spent the last four seasons guiding sea kayak trips on the world’s largest freshwater lake- Lake Superior. This year, she is leaving the snowy winter behind to spend the summer season paddling in NZ. Molly’s favorite thing about guiding is sharing her love of sea kayaking and the natural world with everyone on her trips. When she’s not guiding, she can be found skiing, trekking, and (of course) paddling.
Seán Mulvany – Superstar Casual Guide
Born in the UK with Irish heritage and raised in Germany on the Dutch border, I was always going to end up living somewhere else. After many years in the army mucking around in the outdoors, my Kiwi partner made the choice simple. After a few years of outdoor ed in Christchurch, the Sounds has been home and work, both full-time and part-time since 2012. The local ski industry keeps me out of trouble through winter but nothing beats a flat calm morning on the water. Having made this wee spot my home I am fascinated with the history, flora-fauna, Te Ao and Te Reo Māori.
Lexi – Border Collie “The Big Boss”
I am awesome if I do say so myself! I am a pure bred Border Collie who loves to swim, play and most of all meet new people. I was born in May 2014 and have always lived the epic outdoor life at SKA.
While some are starting to call me an old lady these days, I like to think I am just entering into my prime. I don’t really like sitting still, so if I manage find a ball, you will have to stop what you’re doing to throw it. I especially love those little golf balls everyone plays mini golf with, but the adults around here don’t like throwing them for me which sucks.
You will probably find me running around the property somewhere, or down at the beach. When the humans are busy I like to chill in my house as it gives me a chance to catch up on some sleep. If you are coming to visit, then I will gladly say hello and even give you a kiss if you ask nicely but please ask the humans first. They are awesome and always keeping an eye on me.