OUR STORY

Tom and Ellen Mason live in Cornwall in the UK, close to the sea, they are active sea paddlers, river paddlers, swimmers and active members of the Gyllyngvase, Surf Life Saving Club.

BASED IN CORNWALL

Tom and Ellen Mason live in Cornwall in the UK, close to the sea, they are active sea paddlers, river paddlers, swimmers and active members of the Gyllyngvase, Surf Life Saving Club.

The Journey

Tom started canoeing at age five, joined a Surf Lifesaving club at age 15 where he became obsessed with paddling surfskis as getting out on the sea with a surfski is both an escape and an adventure.

Ellen has been a competitive swimmer since the age of 13, and joined the local Surf Lifesaving club at 20, where she met Tom and started her paddling career.

Meeting Through Surf Lifesaving

It was in that South African Surf Lifesaving community that Tom and Ellen’s paths crossed and their shared obsession with water sports forged both a personal and professional partnership.

Tom & Ellen marching in a surf lifesaving march past in the eary 80’s

A Designer’s Vision Emerges

Frustrated by heavy, rudimentary surfskis of the day, Tom began crafting his own boats, iterating hull shapes, seats and rudders for comfort, speed and seaworthiness. His prototypes drew immediate attention, leading to design work for major South African manufacturers.

Tom launching a new ski (1981)

Epic paddling adventures

Together, they have paddled numerous epic events like the Tip of Africa Challenge, (a paddle around the southernmost tip of Africa) numerous Fish River and Breede River marathons and many other paddling adventures including white water paddling.

River Marathon

Fish river marathon (1994)

Moving to Cornwall (UK)

They moved from South Africa to the UK in 2000 and due to there being very little ocean paddling in the UK, they joined the KMCO paddling club in Boulogne, France, and participated in sea racing for that club for a number of years, ski racing has subsequently developed well in the UK.

Becoming Nordic Kayaks Agents

They have been the agents for Nordic Kayaks since 2021 having first encountered the brand in 2015 when Tom bought his first NK, being impressed with both the design and the quality of the brand.

They are also agents for the Braća Surfski, SUP, Dragonboat, Sea kayak and Outrigger paddles.

Competitive Honors & Championships

PE2EL Race Veteran: the grueling 250 km, four-day ski race in South Africa
Cape Point Challenge: conceived by Tom and organized by Clem Gutche
Multiple national Surf Lifesaving titles for South Africa and later the UK (as a Masters competitor)
Two-time World Cup Surfski Champion (Masters)

Rock Up & Race Series

Tom & Ellen currently run the “Rock up and Race” series in Falmouth a summer ski and board racing series to encourage competition and participation of the young and the not so young.

ENTRY DETAILS

Minimum age 13 (as at 31 December 2025)
Hold an up-to-date SLSGB membership (for insurance purposes – join at www.slsgb.org.uk)
Surfski entrants must have PFD, leash and whistle
SUP, Prone or Lifesaving boards entrants must have a leash & whistle
Recommended: carry a radio or phone in a waterproof case
Entry fee: £5.00

Note:
To have your SLSGB membership checked, you must enter via the QR code below. Entries must be received by 1:00pm on the Friday a week before your first race. Once registered and checked, you can “Rock Up & Race” on the day for future races.

FRIDAY NIGHTS 2025

16 & 30 May
13 & 27 June
11 & 25 July
8 & 22 August
5 & 19 September

DISTANCES (YOUR CHOICE)

1 lap – 3km
2 laps – 6km
3 laps – 9km

REGISTRATION

Opens on Gyllyngvase Beach – 6:15pm
Compulsory briefing – 6:45pm
Start time – 7:00pm