Kag Gannon - Sea Kayak Guide

Kag loves the freedom sea kayaking gives you...

Kag Gannon is the lead expedition guide for Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre and has 12 years experience instructing and guiding in both sea kayak and other paddlesport disciplines. She has been with the company since 2016.

Kag grew up on the Isle of Luing in the Slate Isles, surrounded by swirling tides and raised by a family who love to explore the islands and seas of the area by sail, kayak, canoe and fishing boat. After spending her 20s travelling, working ski seasons and spending summers at an outdoor centre as a chef, she decided to return to education in order to work in the outdoors. She completed an FE Advanced Certification of Outdoor Leadership and a BA in Marine and Coastal Tourism.

Guiding sea kayak trips and undertaking personal sea kayak expeditions is the life that Kag is fully immersed in. She loves the challenge of working with the tides and conditions, coaching skills and managing logistics to craft the perfect trip for clients. Kag has paddled a 1800km circumnavigation of the Scottish mainland over the course of 5 years, has crossed the Minch (with Mike) and has circumnavigated many of the islands our wonderful coastline has to offer. Winters for Kag are now spent working with college and university students coaching mixed paddlesports and outdoor leadership skills, but she still makes time to get out on her snowboard when the snow arrives.

Read more about Kag's journey as a sea kayak guide

Taking time out to fully absorb the moment when on expedition is something she recommends:

"I remember being camped out by Loch Tarbert on Jura mid way through a solo circumnavigation of the island. It was nearing sunset and the light on the surrounding islands and hills was beautiful; I couldn't resist the temptation to venture up the hillside for a better view. I carried on up and found a wee Lochan, without thinking twice I found myself swimming in the shimmering waters, the mesmerising sight of the sunset all around".

She is fascinated by the marine environment and loves sharing her knowledge and the tastier varieties of seaweed with others - Kag is a very keen forager and will happily show you edible seaweeds and coastal plants.

*Qualifications

BCAB Advanced Sea Kayak Leader and Advanced Sea Kayak Coach.

Other qualifications:

BCAB Leader and Coach in SUP, White Water SUP, Canoe and River Kayak

*Outdoor Highlights

  • My first multiday solo trip, a 4 day circumnavigation of Jura from the Slate Isles. One magical moment (of many) was a sunset swim in the peaty infinity pool on the ridgeline of Beinn Bhreac.
  • Phosphorescents streaming off my paddles in the dark towards the end of a 94km day whilst circumnavigating the Mull of Kintyre from Oban - I just had to keep going!
  • Kayaking with multiple basking sharks during the week on an Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre Mingulay expedition.
  • Watching the green flash of the sun dropping into the sea below the horizon from a stunning headland on the Ross of Mull.
  • Getting my name engraved on the womens trophy for the round Kerrera sea kayak race, there weren’t many women on the day but I clocked the second best time overall (so far).
  • Watching a minke whale breach as gannets dived whilst floating far out in the middle of the sea. This was during a 22km open water crossing of St Andrews bay from Buddon Ness to Fife Ness on the east coast of Scotland.

Take a look at some of the trips that Kag guides

Full list of our expeditions - Sea Kayak Expeditions