I am Ollie Jay

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

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 – over 25 Years thanks to all my past clients. 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. Keep an eye out for series 3 of Robsons’ Northumberland Weekend Escapes now on I player.

This 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.

Winter can be a great time for a paddling adventure – Spring is on the way with Daffodils out now!

For the winter months some previous paddling experience is recommended and I offer a discount till the start of Feb, please see the prices page for details

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 via email, 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!

1999 – 2025

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

I can’t believe it – to celebrate the 25th Year of Active 4 Seasons I organised a Charity paddle on the Mighty Tweed estuary for past clients to come and have a short paddle.

Thanks to everyone who donated we managed to raise £580 towards Lyme Disease Action.

Please help me raise awareness of tick borne disease in the outdoor world – make sure you are educated if you like heading outside anywhere where there may be knee length grass and deer populations – this is not just up North – it is rife in the parks in central London too!

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

Last year I helped the Southern Upland Partnership by cleaning the Tweed estuary by open canoe with some volunteers.

Read the write up here:

https://www.tweedriverculture.org/journal/Cleaning-the-Tweed-Estuary

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.

The ideal 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.