The Coastbusters committee for 2010 is made up of a core team of eight members, supported by a number of working groups and enthusiastic volunteers.

Paul Hayward is a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for computers. Moving to New Zealand from his native Canada in 1982, he continued his work in Industrial Control and Automation Engineering. For the last 17 years, he has run his own business, specialising in database design and small business computing.

Paul paddled canoes as a boy and sailed extensively in New Zealand; but during the last 9 years Sea Kayaking has become his major sport.   Best trips in the past year were a leasurely & solo Auckland-BOI and a mad day-trip round D'Urville Island with a couple of friends. Intend to go back and do that one properly.

Paul was a committee member for the 2004 Coastbusters Symposium and has been Chair for the 2006 & 08 events.

Renee Olivier is a Test Automation & Performance Specialist who is employed by a major bank. Renee has years of experience in IT and banking.

She has joined the Coastbusters Committee for the CB-2010 event as Treasurer.

Natasha Romoff is a PMI certified project manager in the IT industry.

Over the last twelve years, Natasha has become an avid kayaker. She is an active member of several NZ clubs, participating in Leadership / Water safety programs and taking an interest in promoting the sport to new club members.

She has gained experience of the sea sailing both in SA and NZ as well as wind-surfing.  This will be her fourth term on the Coastbuster's committee and so brings a wealth of experience to the new members

Steve Cooper is a Project Manager in an engineering consultancy.

He kayaked down a few rivers in Northumberland, trying to keep his hair dry and not embarrass his eldest daughter too much.

Steve saw sense and moved to Auckland and took up sea kayaking four years ago.

Coastbusters 2008 was the springboard for Steve to get more involved with local kayaking groups and he now enjoys mainly day trips between family and work commitments.

Most memorable trips..... Four days down the Wanganui, CB & IKW 2008

Noreen Flanagan is Office Manager for a company wholesaling Home Automation and Car Audio equipment. Born in Canada, Noreen brought her love of the outdoors to New Zealand some 40 years ago.

She started kayaking three years ago & completed her leaders course this year. She has competed in the cross-Taupo race and has explored the Coromandel on several trips.

Noreen joined the 2010 committee after attendance at CB-2008 whetted her interest in helping with the next Coastbusters event.

A foundation and life member of the North Shore Canoe club, Gerry Maire has enjoyed a lifetime in kayak sport.

Gerry enjoys nothing better than to see other people enjoy the sport and has been a key committee member for the last seven Coastbusters Symposiums.

Nick Webb is one of the most active trip leaders on the Auckland Kayaking scene.

An urban horticulturalist, born and bred in New Zealand, he has managed and maintained the grounds and gardens of an iconic NZ company for the last 13 years.

A very keen yachtsman, with many sea miles under his keel, Nick started kayaking just 3 years ago - joing a local club and rapidly moving on to lead club trips throughout the upper North Island.

Nick attended his first Coastbusters in 2008 and joins the committee this year - with special focus on the IKW.

Most memorable trip .............. every single one of them, just cant get enough!!

Jef Wright says:

My calling in life seems to be to break stuff and I've found a niche as an electronic design verification engineer at a local control equipment manufacturer. When I'm not breaking electronics, I try my hand with kayaks & kayaking gear. I have been particularly successful with polo kayaks & gear of late.

Although calm, sunny days paddling are nice (especially heading out for a camping holiday with the family), wilder weather is more fun. Its a pity I don't exhibit consistent skill or better judgment when I'm having fun. I can't be relied on to have dry hair for long and shouldn't ever be trusted to identify the safest or easiest route through rocks.

I spend a lot of my life fiddling with computers one way or another so a technology-facilitating role for CB allows me to put back a little bit of what I've gained from this sport.