I was born at the seaside where, at 5 years old, sailing became my first love. By the age of eight I was competent enough to take people twice my age onto the water. When I left school I was employed by The National Watersports Centre in Nottingham for 8 ½ years; this is where I started windsurfing in 1975, the same time when windsurfing started.

I also had the opportunity to water-ski and barefoot ski and try canoeing, rowing as well as scuba diving and dinghy sailing as part of my work at Nottingham. Over the years in the watersports industry I have gained many years experience and qualifications as a Commercial diver, and have held instructor certificates in the following sports; Advanced dinghy and Race training Instructor, Powerboating, and Windsurfing. I have worked with and have had the opportunity to meet many national, international and world class coaches and world class stars in all aspects of the watersports industry.

I became National Water Pentathlon Champion 2 years running and I was the first to windsurf across the Wash from Hunstanton to Skegness in 1981.

I started my first business in the industry, a windsurfing school, in 1981 at Nottingham and moved to Swallownest near Rother Valley Country Park Sheffield, where I opened the shop back in 1986. I've been busy since; expanding the business to what you see today.

Outside of the shop I have also tried snowboarding and I still sail, windsurf, surf and body board for pleasure in my free time when I am not trying to help others enjoy the sports as much as I do.

My latest addition to my experiences was achieving my Day Skipper in horrendous conditions off the coast of Angelsey. The first step of many on the road to my Yacht Masters.

Sheffield is my hometown. I have been brought up around the sport kayaking with the influence from my dad. In 1998 at the age of 7, I took up the sport and have paddled ever since. The areas of kayaking I have done are Canoe Polo, slalom, marathons,sea and surf. I have been promoted with Steel City (Sheffield Canoe Polo team) from division 2 up to division 1, the top Yorkshire Canoe Polo League. I have progressed from Division 4 up to Division 2 in Slalom.

On promotion from division 3 to division 2 I had the third highest slalom score in the country. My favourite areas of the sport are Canoe Polo, Slalom, surfing and Playboating. I have owned a Perception Spin and a Carbon Kevlar Slalom boat. I hold my 3 star certificate and have been working up to my 4 star.I paddle at least once a week mainly at Ponds Forge. I occasionally go down to Outibridge. I am a competent roller on flat or moving water both with or without a paddle! I go on many trips such as Anglesey and the Farne Islands, I've paddled down the river Nene and in Scotland in a Grade 4 River Gran Tulley, plus many other rivers. My favourite trip was when I went to Milos a Greek island to go sea kayaking. The other sports I do are football for Whiston Wildcats, Karate, badminton,and I played basketball for my school, I ski and am learning to snowboard. I love all of the sports I do and am very competitive, but I will always encourage people who are younger and older than me and will always help them. I have helped lots of people to crack rolling with a paddle and also hand rolling

Jackie has been paddling since she was 8 in 1993. She started off in a swimming pool and moved onto the Rother Valley Country Park lake when she was 12. Jackie went on her first river when she was 13 at Matlock and capsized and swam within 5 minutes she got off the water with mild hypothermia. Not the best start but it didn't put her off.

Jackie's favourite aspects of the sport are surf, polo and playboating. In the summer visit's HPP every Wednesday or Thursday. Has played for junior, open and women's leagues in polo. Has been a member of Sheffield, and Nottingham HPP Canoe Clubs and very good friends with Greenstar canoe club. She's a level 2 coach in kayaking and hold's relevant 1st aid awards and level 2 Powerboat certificate.

She has previously owned and paddled a Creek, Blade, Storm, 007, Shock, Booster, Dagger Ego and Disco. Also had a little experience in Windsurfing, Surfing and Sailing and have qualifications in Snorkelling and Scuba Diving.

My main drawback is I am not a fan of the cold weather (or water) and so sometimes just take pictures (Wuss) :-)

During his degree he spent most of the time outside lectures either on the beach down the lake or on the climbing wall. Alec has experience in most surface sports, however his first love is windsurfing, followed closely by kitesurfing and wake boarding. Alec is into his wave and speed sailing, and if its windy can usually be found on the beach at Rhosneiger.

He raced in the SWA series through University and was Liverpool University Club Captain for a year. Then realising it involved work went back to just sailing when he could.
Alec currently sails a Fanatic New Wave 78 and the new Tushingham Rocks. He also has an old slalom set up for those fast flat days.
He also has big boat experience from 2 years spent in the Navy Reserves during University.

We have now lost Alec as he has left us to work at sea, although he may still be in from time to time whilst on leave to help out with the website and buy some new toys.

The Shop!

Three shops in one. Wipeout started in 1984 as just a 3rd of this, and gradually walls got knocked down and store rooms got decorated to make more shop space to display all the toys you can see today!

View of the length of the shop showing good range of new and used boards and kayaks. Windsurfing sails and rigs suspended from the high ceiling for easier viewing.

Our Summer Area!

Rash vests, snorkelling equipment and summer fashion clothing plus beach footwear. Two changing rooms available with full length mirrors so you can pose all day!

The Canoe Accessory Bit!

Canoe spraydecks, paddles and dry cags plus lots of accessories and different footwear leading to the buoyancy aid and helmet room.

Our Range of Boats!

We always carry a large stock of boats including Canoes, Kayaks, and Sit on Tops.

Our New Surf Area!

Created to display everything budding surfers or seasoned pro's could want. With a large range of boards, leashes, bags, boogie boards and fins. Also Our Massive range of new and second hand junior wetsuits. With over 150 in stock.

The Buoyancy Aid and Helmet Room!

Buoyancy aid, life jackets and helmets. Adult and junior options all to CE standards. We take safety on the water seriously.