Kvalvika beach in Lofoten - Moskenes island circumnavigation
All our guides have either passed or are working towards passing the 5 week program held by the International Sea Kayak Guide Alliance. Additionally our guides have passed a 4 or 5 star leader course by a national governing body such as the Norwegian Canoe Union or British Canoeing.
Having the most extensive sea kayak guide training available is a minimum for NSK guides. In addition we all have experience from guiding others along exposed coastlines. To be able to safely do so, we have the technical skills as well as the human skills to lead and care for the participants.
Norwegian Sea Kayaking A/S is owned by Kristoffer Vandbakk, however, without its competent guides this company would not exist.
Read our terms for participating on our expeditions here.
Our recommended packing list is here.
Read about expedition nutrition here.
Kristoffer Vandbakk
Qualifications: - ISKGA Advanced Guide
- Norwegian Canoe Union 5 star leader
- British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader
- Wilderness First Responder
Instagram: @kristoffervan
Youtube: Seakayaknorway
Kristoffer has been working in the coaching and guiding industry since 2015. He has guided and coached all along the Norwegian coast from Lindesnes in the South to Nordkapp in the North. He lives outside Oslo and enjoys overnight camping trips, foraging and exploring new areas. Kristoffer worked as an economist before he realised guiding in a sea kayak was more rewarding for him.
Matt Skuse
Qualifications: - Norwegian Canoe Union 5 star Sea Leader
- Norwegian Canoe Union 5 star Canoe Leader
- British Canoeing Advanced Canoe Leader
- British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader
- British Canoeing level 2 coach
- Marine First Responder
- ISKGA Advanced Guide
Instagram: @matt.skuse
Matt has 25 years of experience in the Royal Marines. He is familiar with taking care of people in a wide range of environments from sea to summit and everything in between. Matt has guided sea kayak and canoe expeditions in Norway since 2016. He enjoys fishing, bushcraft and teaching others about this.
Tim Vanhoutteghem
Qualifications: - Norwegian Canoe Union 5 star Sea Kayak Leader
- ISKGA Advanced Guide
- British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader
Instagram: @senjawild
Tim Vanhoutteghem is originally born in Belgium, but quickly moved to the French Alps and then Northern Norway, following his passion for the wild outdoors, mountains and sea. He has been an active seakayaker since 2014, and been working his whole life in different branches of outdoor guiding and teaching. Tim decided to bring his experience to kayak guiding and coaching, helping others to explore their passion for kayaking. You can find him on short and longer kayak trips, but his favorite free time activity is chasing challenging waves and surf with his kayak.
Tim guides in the Antarctic and the Arctic.
Tim is guiding and coaching trips all over North Norway, but runs most of his trips from his home island Senja, where he runs his outdoor and kayak guiding company SenjaWild.com .
Bashar Al Huneidi
Qualifications: - ISKGA Trained
- First aid qualifications
Instagram: @Gulfkayakcompany
Bashar is an experienced expeditioner having led a sea kayak expedition from Kurwait to Oman. Bashar lives in Kuwait and amongst his various outdoor related businesses he also runs Gulf Kayak Academy. Bashar joins us on our guided expedition in Musandam and the Strait of Hormuz.
Bashar is involved in climbing, skiing, sailing, waterskiiing and kayaking and imports various sports equipment and runs a range of courses in Kuwait.
See his documentary about kayaking from Kuwait to Oman here.
Hugo Salamonsen
Qualifications: - Norwegian Canoe Union Activity Leader
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Instagram: @Arcticseakayaker
Hugo lives on the island of Magerøy near Nordkapp and explores this place all year round in his kayak and on foot. Hugo has a background from commercial diving and the sea has been his livelihood and source of recreation his whole life. Hugo has local knowledge and contacts on the island of Magerøy.
You will meet Hugo on the Nordkapp expedition.
