About Us
Welcome to Encounter Cornwall! We’re a family-run business, owned by Clair and Ben Connibeer. After years of offering mobile SUP lessons and tours on the stunning River Fowey, we expanded our services to include both Kayak and SUP adventures when we took over the award-winning Encounter Cornwall in 2020, along with our former business partners, Phil and Jules.
Clair and Ben have since taken full ownership. They are Paddle UK L3 Coaches, Fowey Harbour Commission licensed boatmen, and passionate about sharing the beauty and wildlife of the river with you. Along with our fantastic team – Oscar, Sal, Debs, Olly, Adam, David, and Poppy at the Boatshed cafe – we offer unforgettable experiences for all levels of paddlers.
Whether you’re new to the water or looking to improve, we’ve got you covered!
Now with our offices open seasonally at The Boatshed and our "Boatshed" cafe open daily in school hoildays from 10am till close, we look forward to welcoming both old friends and new.
GOLANT is a beautiful village, and we ask all of our guests to respect all signs including taking away your waste and observing the speed limit when entering and leaving the village. Thank You.
PARKING IS LIMITED: To avoid disappointment, please arrive early for your session and if possible pre book a private parking bay at the top of the hill. If you do manage to find a pay and display bay, you will need a card or the APP to pay.
Meet the Owners:
Clair, one of our lead coaches, grew up in Golant, then traveled the world before returning home to complete her degree in Tourism Management and raise her family with her husband, Ben. After working in various tourism roles, she was drawn back to the River Fowey—the playground of her childhood—and began turning her passion for Golant and its waterways into a business.
Clair discovered SUP a few years ago and was instantly hooked. She trained as an instructor and has since earned multiple water-based qualifications, including BSUPA L2 Senior Instructor, Paddle UK Level 3 SUP Coach, and RYA VHF and Power Boat certifications. As our water ops lead, Clair manages everything from licenses and session planning to coordinating instructors, ensuring safety across the board.
She’s been coached by world-class SUP experts, including Samantha Rutt, Seychell Webster, Michael Booth, and Glenn Eldridge, and advised by top athletes like Larry Cain and April Zilg. Recently, Clair was honored with an appointment as a Fowey Harbour Commissioner and works alongside the paddle sports NGB (National Governing Body), Paddle UK to build awareness for the paddling community.
Meet Ben – the ultimate summer coach and winter plumber, with a passion for paddling and a knack for multi-tasking! When he's not leading exciting SUP and kayak sessions as a qualified Level 3 Paddle UK coach, he's putting his creativity to work, designing cool gear and bringing fresh ideas to our merchandise. Talk about wearing a lot of hats!
Ben's been part of the team for a while now, splitting his time between coaching on the water in summer and helping with the behind-the-scenes action all year round. Whether it’s Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) or kayaking, Ben’s in his element, always eager to help guests refine their technique and elevate their paddle game. His love for both sports is contagious, and he’s always up for sharing tips and tricks to improve your skills!
As if that wasn’t enough, Ben also represents the SUP community on the Fowey Harbour Port User Group, advocating for all things SUP across the entire Fowey Estuary and Port. And because he’s all about giving back to the community, he’s recently joined the Fowey Reserve Fire Brigade, ready to lend a hand whenever the alarm bells ring.
So, whether you're getting on the water with him or shopping for some exclusive gear, Ben’s your go-to guy for all things paddling and beyond!
Encounter Cornwall is a member of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the local Friends of the Fowey Estuary, and were one of 12 specially chosen members of Coast (Cornwall Sustainable Tourism) Reboot – an experimental programme to show the positive environmental impact that businesses can have, which has helped shape our thinking!
You can hear Clair twice a month on BBC Radio Cornwall, sharing an update on the waterways and all things Wildlife.
See FAQ's for our Green Policy.
Open For Business - Private Parking Bays
PRIVATE Parking, we are now able to offer 6 private parking bays which can be pre booked by our guests by emailing the office at [email protected].
Parking is charged at £5 per day and offered on a first come first served basis. Located at the top of the hill, you will have a 10-minute walk to The Boatshed, but we are always happy to offer you a lift back up the hill after your session
Tours, hire & sessions as per the online schedule. If you dont see what you want, please either call or e mail us.
Guest Facilities
The Boatshed is a quirky, time-worn gem with stories to tell! Once a building with many lives, it’s now our office, shop, and a hub for cool gear. You’ll find our own branded merch, "SOLA" & "C-Skins" wetsuits, Moonshine eyewear, classic Dirty Dog sunnies, Duc-kit drybags, and beautiful Cornish Silver jewellery crafted by Ben’s mum, Sue!
Drop by The Boatshed Cafe for fresh drinks, home-baked treats from "Jac's Happy Cakes," and a chilled vibe. We’re always happy to welcome you—come say “Hi”!
We’ve got two toilets, a changing room, and if you're SUP-ing, why not skip the queue and rock your swimwear instead?
Note: We close Nov-March, but private bookings are available depending on weather and tides. Just call us at 07714029390.
See you soon!
