Ethan & Helena Lisk (Managing Director and Spouse)
Ethan and Helena are a product of Canoes, Mountains & Caves CIC having met on a Community hill-walking Event in 2021. A shared love of Jesus, the outdoors and Education has kept them together ever since. They are best found helping and serving others.
Ethan has worked full time in the Outdoor Sector since 2021, after working directly in Education teaching PE, Geography and Outdoor Education at a range of mainstream and special behavioural schools since 2017. He specialises in using a broad range of outdoor qualifications to facilitate outdoor learning, predominantly with students who are at risk of falling out of mainstream education.
Helena has worked as a teacher in Primary Education since 2012. She has taught across all Primary age ranges in schools with a high proportion of Pupil Premium Students in both Cumbria and the North East. She is currently teaching in Year 6 and leading Maths across the school.
| Ethan’s Qualifications: | |
| Canoes | British Canoeing: – UKCC Level 2 Paddlesport Coach – Open Water Canoe Leader – White Water Canoe Leader (Training) – Stand Up Paddleboard Coastal Leader (Training) – White Water Safety & Rescue – Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning |
| Mountains | Mountain Training: – Mountain Leader Award (Summer) – Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) – Rock Climbing Development Instructor (Training) British Mountaineering Council: – FUNdamentals of Climbing 1 & 2 Mountain Biking Instructor Award Scheme: – MIAS Level 2 Mountain Bike Guide |
| Caves | British Caving Association: – Cave Leader (North of England) – Mine Leader (North of England and North Wales) |
| – PGCE (Secondary) Outdoor Education – Qualified Teacher Status (IStip) – IOL Accredited Bushcraft Competency Certificate (3 days) – ITC 16 hour Outdoor First Aid – D1+E Minibus – GB Archery Instructor – Level 3 Safeguarding Training |
| Helena’s Qualifications: | |
| Canoes | British Canoeing: – Paddlesport Instructor (PSI) – Paddlesport Safety & Rescue (PSR) |
| Mountains | Helena enjoys hill walking and is working her way through completing the Wainwright’s when she can get to the Lake District. Helena loves to indoor climb and is working towards gaining enough experience to commence the Climbing Wall Instructor pathway. |
| Caves | Helena has said in no uncertain terms that she prefers to keep her head above ground. Once was enough. |
| – BA (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status (2012) – National Professional Qualification in Middle Leadership (NPQML) – National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL) – Maths Subject Lead – Previously led the subjects of: RE, Music, and PE – Organising and leading Upper KS2 Outdoor Education Residential trips. |
Mal & Marion Tabb (Technical Advice and Consultancy)
Original founders, Mal and Marion created Canoes, Mountains & Caves in 2014. Mal has over 20 years experience working in the in the Outdoor Sector. Marion has 13 years experience working in the Outdoor Sector as Operations Manager.
Following incorporation into the Outdoor Social Enterprise it is today, they have retired from Directorship and support the organisation on a Technical Advice and Operational Consultancy basis delivered through M&M Outdoor Activity Services.
Mal and Marion continue to run our Community Events and support session delivery as freelancers. They are part of the leadership team at Elim Community Church, Carlisle and together are developing a ministry supporting healthy Marriages and Relationships.
| Mal’s Qualifications: | |
| Canoes | Paddle UK: -BCAB Level 4 Performance Coach Advanced Open Water Canoe – Advanced Open Water Canoe Coach – Advanced Canoe Leader – Endorsed Guide – BCU Level 3 Coach Open Canoe – BCU Level 3 Coach Inland Kayak – BCAB Canoe Leader Tutor – BCAB Safety & Rescue Course Provider / Tutor (Inland Open Water Safety & Rescue; PSRC; Paddle Safer) – BCAB Paddlesport Instructor Tutor – White Water Safety & Rescue – Coastal Navigation & Tidal Planning – Stand Up Paddleboard Discipline Support Module |
| Mountains | Mountain Training: – Mountain Leader Award (Summer) – Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) – Foundation Climbing Coach (Training) British Mountaineering Council: – FUNdamentals of Climbing 1 & 2 |
| Caves | British Caving Association: – Vertical Cave Leader (North of England) – Vertical Mine Leader (North of England & North Wales) – Cave Instructor Certificate (Training) |
| – Bushcraft Competency Certificate (3 days) – ITC 16 hour Outdoor First Aid |
| Marion’s Qualifications: | |
| Canoes | – Extensive canoeing experience participating and assisting in expeditions all across the British Isles, predominantly in Scotland, & Ireland |
| Mountains | Mountain Training: – Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) – Foundation Climbing Coach (Training) British Mountaineering Council: – FUNdamentals of Climbing 1 & 2 |
| Caves | British Caving Association: – Mine Leader (North of England & North Wales) |
| – Bushcraft Competency Certificate (3 days) – ITC 16 hour Outdoor First Aid – Level 1 Christian Counselling – Emotional Well-Being & Resilience Training – Advanced Safeguarding Training |
Dave & Esther Bentley (Freelance and Community Logistics)
Dave and Esther are a dynamic duo who share an enthusiasm for the outdoors and connecting with people through the work they do. Dave has worked in the Outdoor Sector as a Senior Instructor and currently works as a full-time fire-fighter in West Cumbria. Esther has 8 years experience working in the Outdoor Sector. She splits her time between Counselling and freelance Outdoor Instruction across Cumbria.
Former Directors of Canoes, Mountains & Caves CIC, Esther now plays a key part in supporting the logistics of our Community Programme, both she and Dave continue to run our Community Events and support session delivery on a freelance basis.
| Dave’s Qualifications: | |
| Canoes | British Canoeing: – Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Paddlesport – White Water Safety & Rescue |
| Mountains | Mountain Training: – Mountain Leader Award (Summer) – Single Pitch Award (SPA) British Cycling: – Level 3 Mountain Bike Leader |
| Caves | |
| – GB Archery Instructor – ITC 16 hour Outdoor First Aid |
| Esther’s Qualifications: | |
| Canoes | British Canoeing: – Level 1 Paddlesport Instructor – White Water Safety & Rescue |
| Mountains | Mountain Training: – Mountain Leader Award (Summer) – Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) British Cycling: – Level 1 Mountain Bike Leader |
| Caves | No thanks… |
| – Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies – ITC 16 hour Outdoor First Aid – Mental Health First Aid Trained |
Adrian Wintle (Freelance and Community Archery Lead)
Adrian moved to the North East nearly 30 years ago and was introduced to the outdoor industry through church friends who volunteered for Cockerton Outdoor Activity Club (CoAC) in Darlington. This developed into over 20 years of outdoor experience and a range of outdoor qualifications in Archery, Mountain Biking and Watersports. CoAC became part of Canoes, Mountains & Caves CIC in Winter 2024. Their famous monthly archery sessions have remained a key feature in our Community Programme offering. He is a keen Landscape Photographer and is often found capturing sunny vistas and weather phenomenons. Adrian loves walking his Springer Spaniel Isla and a keen camper has enough tents to suit every camping occasion!
We operate across the North of England, with regional bases in Tyne and Wear and Cumbria.
Company no. 14596917
AALA Licence no. R2776/L92814
Canoes, Mountains & Caves CIC 