About us

Our ethos

We place our clients at the centre of everything we do. Our advice, whether in the shop or on the water, will always be tailored to you and your needs. This includes being honest if we think someone else’s product will suit you better. On the water we work hard to give you the best possible experience. For short, one-off trips that means ensuring you have the right equipment, and that the level of challenge is right for you. On courses we do that as well, but we also focus on your long-term goals, thinking not just about what you’ll learn with us, but how you can take that away and keep learning, developing and enjoying your paddling wherever it takes you. On expeditions we want you to feel part of a team, and will involve you in the decisions on where we go, how far we paddle, and how we pace ourselves.
 
Sea kayaking immerses you in the outdoors, and we are passionate about caring for that environment. We are constantly reviewing and adapting our methods to try and reduce waste, including moving to recycled packaging for our online shop. We work with our suppliers to reuse as much as possible, such as sending back kayak packaging to the manufacturers for re-use. When paddling, we take care not to disturb wildlife. Group sizes are kept small not only for a better experience but also to minimise our impact, particularly when camping. We aim not just to leave no trace of our own passage, we actively try and leave places in better condition than we found them, and small-scale litter picks are an integral part of lunch stops and camping pack-ups.

Who we are

Sea Kayak Oban has been running for over a decade, catering to paddlers in Scotland and beyond. In 2019, when the previous owners retired, Mark and Laura took over the reins. As well as the team featured here, we use some additional freelance instructors and guides, all chosen for their experience, abilities, and sunny dispositions.

Laura on the sea

Laura Bennitt

Owner, coach and guide

Since moving to Scotland in 2005, I’ve spent as much time as possible outdoors. Up mountains, over waves and down rivers, across moorlands and scree slopes, camping on deserted islands and hoping to catch glimpses of astounding wildlife.

I’ve always enjoyed sharing my love for the world around us; I moved to Scotland to take up a job as a riding trek guide near Edinburgh, and I used to work for Rough Guides, tracking down the best hard-to-find places and most interesting snippets of information to pass on.

Now as a qualified BCAB Sea Kayak Leader (Advanced Water), Sea Kayak Coach (Advanced Water) and Performance Coach, I can guide you to Scotland’s most spectacular locations, take you off the beaten track, and help you gain the skills to confidently enjoy the outdoors long after you leave.

Mark Mitchell

Owner, guide and coach

After ten years living life on the road, touring worldwide with music artists and working in TV and event production, I chose to anchor my life in Scotland. This complete change to my work life balance allowed me to discover the world of paddlesports. We now run Sea Kayak Oban, offering coaching and guiding services to anyone willing to come exploring with a smile.


My heart is on the sea and that is where I'd like to  spend most of my time. I love teaching and particularly specialise in melding different rolling techniques from various parts of the world to offer a low impact targeted method to achieving your first roll. For the last few years I have been coaching the use of the Greenland Stick and paddle almost exclusively with this versatile tool. I hold the BCAB Sea Kayak Coach (Moderate Water) and Sea Kayak Leader (Advanced Water) awards.

Portrait of Laura Hudson

Laura Hudson

Sea kayak guide and retail assistant

I’m a BCAB sea kayak leader, currently working towards my advanced qualifications, and I love sharing adventures out on the water. Over the past few years, I’ve been living and paddling in North Wales and I’m now excited to be living in and exploring Scotland, with its incredible coastline, islands and wildlife.

One of my favourite parts of kayaking is spotting seals, seabirds and other marine life from the water, and helping others experience that quiet, close connection with nature. When I’m not paddling, you’ll usually find me climbing, biking or running – anything that keeps me on the water or in the hills

George Fell

Freelance coach & guide

To me, a sea kayak is the perfect vehicle to explore out-of-the-way places while still enjoying all the comforts of a well-packed boat. I’m drawn to the eclectic tribe of people who call this sport home, and I love the feeling of living in the moment found in amongst the surf and the rocks. Above all, I enjoy sharing all those things.

Janek portrait

Janek Mamino

Freelance coach and guide

I live close to Oban and get to enjoy paddling the extensive western coastline of Scotland. I enjoy all marine environments such as surf, storms and glassy calm waters. I love to go on multi-day trips with clients and friends and be part of temporary communities in further away places.

Portrait of Kag

Kag Gannon

Freelance coach and guide

I am an advanced sea kayak leader and coach who grew up on the isle of Luing surrounded by the swirling tides of that area. After completing a Marine and Coastal Tourism degree, I plunged into coaching and guiding in sea kayaking and paddlesports more widely. I love travelling with groups on the ancient sea highways with full kayaks and the journey ahead, exploring the nooks, life and histories of the islands.