Age: 33
Born: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Lives: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Weapon of Choice: Think Uno
Favourite Vaikobi Item: V Cold Storm Paddle Pants
If anyone was born to paddle, it was Tamlyn. Raised in South Africa by a national team member mother, and a marathon river junkie father, there was no doubt she’d find her way to the water. With constant coaching and encouragement she became an accomplished kayaker at an early age.
Whether she was touring around Europe competing in K1 or running some of South Africa’s legendary river races, she was building skills that would eventually elevate her status in the paddling community.
Tamlyn moved to Mississauga, Canada in 2004 and joined the Sprint racing program at the Mississauga Canoe Club. She was successful at Provincial and National Championships, representing Canada at the 2009 World Championships.
In 2011 Tamlyn moved to the Balmy Beach Canoe Club and finished in 6th place at the Marathon World Championships in Singapore, and won multiple National Sprint Kayak events between 2011 and 2015.
In 2015 Tamlyn started working full time as Manager of Operations at the Kelowna Paddle Centre (KPC), in British Columbia, Canada. In this rich environment Tamlyn switched from flat water kayak to Surfski, Outrigger and SUP and has flourished, winning many regional and national races.
Tamlyn’s life exemplifies that of a passionate athlete and as a member of the Vaikobi team. Living and working to improve her own abilities and nurturing the skill set in the hundreds of paddlers she mentors at work at KPC, ensuring that there is a future full of passionate paddlers.
Paddling Highlights
- National Sprint Kayak Champion in singles, doubles, fours
- War Canoe National Champion and current record holder
- Senior National Team Member Marathon K1 at World Championships (2005 ‐ 2014), and World Games (2013)
- Senior National Team Member Canoe Polo at World Championships (2008, 2010)
- Senior National Team Member K1 Sprint at World Championships (2009), and Pan Am Championships (2013)
- Canadian Surfski Champion (2015 - 2017)
- Kalamalka Crossing (SUP) and Board the Fjord SUP Champion (2017)
- Gorge Downwind Champs (surfski) - 7th overall woman, 2nd 19 - 39 (2017)
- Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge (SUP) - 14th overall Elite Women (2017)