Our coaches are all qualified Level 1 Outrigger Coaches with the peak body Paddle Australia. They have current First Aid and CPR Certificates, and Working with Children’s Checks.

Training usually involves rigging and de-rigging canoes, warm-ups and stretches, paddle techniques and skills, and paddling on the bay and around the jetty. As required by Australian Outriggers the coaches conduct an annual 400m swim and tread water (seniors) and 150m swim and tread water (juniors) as well as capsize drills for all existing and new paddlers.

Our Coaches 1

Jill Johansen
Head Coach

Jill has been a professional fitness instructor for 25 years. She is certified in Body Pump, RPM, Grit Strength/Cardio, TRX Suspension Training, and Metafit Hiit Training (High Intensity Interval Training).

Jill has been an outrigger paddler with our club for 18 years and was a gold and bronze medallist in the 2016 National Sprint Titles in Queensland. 2019 Jill & 4 fellow members from Geographe Outriggers competed in Norfolk Island open ocean “NOC The Rock” 26km race. 2022 Jill competed in a mixed World crew in the “Motu 2 Motu” Open Ocean Change Over Race, 32km, on Aitutaki Island, Cook Islands achieving a 2nd place finish.

Jill’s coaching style promotes fitness, strength, and endurance, as well as correct technique for injury prevention and safety on the water.

Our Coaches 2

Laurie Haynes
Coach

Laurie has been paddling since his teens when he took on WA’s Avon Descent for the first time in a double kayak. He was an avid white water kayak and canoe paddler in his 20’s and 30’s and switched to ocean skis and outrigger canoeing since moving to Busselton in 2003. Laurie is qualified in outdoor pursuits and running wilderness programs and in 2013-14 sailed the world on a yacht with his young family.

His coaching interests include: Introducing and inspiring newcomers to paddling; Building teams and developing potential; and Safety and risk management.

Our Coaches 3

Darren Allsopp
Coach

Darren is a proficient river and ocean paddler having successfully completed a number of Avon Descents and local adventure races. Darren competed in his first Outrigger National Titles in February 2020 and was ranked 3rd in Australia in the Va’a (V1) category. As a result Darren was selected to represent Australia as an elite paddler at the World Titles in Hawaii, but unfortunately due to Covid-19 the event was cancelled.

Darren paddles regularly and understands safety issues on and off the water. He brings with him lots of energy and resourcefulness and is the club juniors coach. His coaching style is practical, experiential, and fun!

Our Coaches 4

Julie Hoyle
Coach

Julie has been an outrigger paddler with our club for 6 years and has recently completed the requirements to be a Level 1 Outrigger Coach. Being a former state basketball player Julie brings a competitive passion and promotes training and fitness to achieve personal and team goals. Julie has paddled at both State and National level and steered the Geographe Women’s OC6 team to a silver medal at the WAZA 2021 State Titles. Her coaching style is structured, purposeful, and goal-oriented.

Our Coaches 5

Jess Grabham
Coach

Jess grew up on the water, competing in and winning multiple national titles as a junior rower in the UK and being selected for and competing with the junior GB rowing squad internationally. This is Jess’ 4th season as an outrigger paddler, joining our club after moving to Australia in 2020.  Jess quickly became hooked on the sport of outrigging, competing in the 2023 Sydney Harbour Challenge and other events on behalf of our club. She is a newly qualified level 1 outrigger rookie coach and brings an inclusive, collaborative style of coaching with an emphasis on fun and progression with paddling. She has been a General Practitioner for 15 years and works locally at a clinic in Busselton.