About us
Our ethos
Who we are
Sea Kayak Oban has been running for over a decade. In 2019, when the previous owners retired, Mark and Laura took over the reins. As well as the team featured here, we use various freelance instructors and guides, all chosen for their experience, abilities, and sunny dispositions.

Laura Bennitt
Owner, guide and instructor
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 BC 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 instructor 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 BC Sea Kayak Coach (Moderate Water) and Sea Kayak
Leader (Advanced Water) awards.

Philip de Iongh
Guide and Instructor Philip is a keen sea kayaker and brings his experience of outdoor education and youth work into his guiding and coaching. He enjoys the variety that sea kayaking offers, and loves to share this unique way of experiencing the seascape and coastline with others. He holds the BC Advanced Sea Kayak Leader and Advanced Sea Kayak Coach awards.
When he is not out on the water, he likes to be outdoors, walking, running, climbing and cycling. Very occasionally, he has a rest day and will read a book.

Fraser McKellar
Retail assistant Fraser is a keen paddler and climber. His background is in whitewater and open canoe, and he is now focusing on his skills in long pointy boats. He is working towards his BC Sea Kayak Leader award.