I am Ollie Jay

the most experienced paddle sports coach in North Northumberland – Active 4 Seasons is my trading name

Celebrating 25 years this year – come and join us on Sun 15th Sep for a celebration paddle and Charity event in Berwick Upon Tweed on the mighty River Tweed. Scroll down for further info.

As my tag line suggests I aim to

‘Develop your Desire for Adventure’

through Canoe & Kayak coaching or guided trips. I mainly operate in North Northumberland and the Scottish borders where I have lived and worked since 1999. I have been lucky to work with some very special people over the years including a few celebs:

The lovely Green family came for a paddle – 14 years after I worked with Robson on his Holy Island swim.

1999 – 2024

25 Years of Active 4 Seasons getting people out there!!!

I can’t believe it – to celebrate I am organising a Charity paddle on the Mighty Tweed estuary for past clients to come and have a short paddle.

Date: 15th September 2024

Location: Tweed estuary

Time: 10 – 12am on the water

I have set up a donation page on PayPal and we are aiming to raise £500 for Lyme Disease Action – a brilliant small charity who have been working to raise awareness, help educate practitioners and guide research to help stem the increase in tick borne disease especially Lyme.

If you do not have a PayPal account let me know and we can find another way.

Please get in touch via email with ’25 year charity paddle’ in the title if you are able to attend on the day (suggested £25 to pay for a seat in one of my craft – go to the For Sale page to chose a boat).

If you can’t make it please feel free to make a donation, that would be brilliant but it would be lovely to see you on the day.

There is a great short video clip on the BBC talking about Ticks and bite prevention on the BBC webpage

My website should help you find the right adventure or coaching option for you so please feel free to browse. I do use Google analytics but do not store any of your data, it is purely to see how effective my website is.

Time to plan your Autumn adventures!

If you want some coaching or a guided trip in the amazing North Northumberland or Eastern Scottish borders please check the calendar and let me know what ‘made to measure adventure’ floats your boat. It is always helpful if you can let me know if you have any previous experience when making an enquiry, many thanks.

Why chose Active 4 Seasons 

There are a few companies out there so why me? Basically I am by far the most experienced provider and I match the activity to your aims and objectives as well as offering great value. Specialising in tailored, bespoke or ‘Made to Measure’  – call it what you like – you don’t get put in a large group of mixed abilities, you get just what you pay for. If you are in the fantastic North Northumberland or Scottish Border area looking for adventure be that coaching or guiding and want something special drop me an email. Some of my clients have been coming out with me for 14 years doing a different adventure each time!

I offer 3 different disciplines:

Open canoeing – see the OC page for more details

River kayaking – see the RK page for more info

Sea Kayaking – go to the SK page for details

Please check my availability calendar if you have a set date in mind 

The calendar can change with bookings coming in so maybe select a couple of blank dates in case the one you want goes between you looking and getting an answer.

Looking for something special for someone who likes adventure?

The ideal Birthday present – Paddle sports Activity vouchers available

Min voucher cost now £50 which can then be used by the recipient towards any adventure or coaching session they decide on – they just pay the difference.

My vouchers are available for any duration of session that I run, from 2 hrs to 5 day development courses both guided trips and coaching. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from purchase.

Please contact me ideally via Email for further information or to purchase a voucher.

Make contact

Although Covid 19 does seems to be well managed by the vaccines allowing us to move about a bit more freely it has not gone away.  Evidence shows that staying fit and healthy helps fend off the virus and spending time out of doors is a great way to help with both physical and mental health. 

Please follow any guidelines regarding traveling. We are happy to discuss options for adventures and have the lovely River Till at Etal and the amazing River Tweed and the stunning Northumberland and South East Scotland coastline not far away. 

Sea Kayak safety training

or:

an adventure to the fabulous West coast of Scotland by sea kayak. Happy to offer these out of the busy season when I tend to be working solidly on the local rivers and coastline.

Testimonial:

Ollie has great experience, competence and local knowledge and hence the adventures are fun, safe and well targeted.