Meet the team
The Blue Minds behind SUPdrivenMeet the team
Our co-founders
Leah Richardson
Co-founder & Guide
Meet Leah, our paddle-savvy, adventure-loving co-founder with a zest for life! Leah is an exceptional water enthusiast, with certifications as an instructor and a track record of leading groups through the scenic waters of Sweden and Norway. But what truly sets Leah apart is her undying passion for the Blue Mind theory. She’s on a mission to share that serene state of mind with everyone by giving them the adventure of a lifetime right here in Sweden’s watery wonderland. She’s a real water whisperer. Leah is a firm believer in the YOLO concept (and certainly hope you know it too!) She believes life is too short not to seize every opportunity, whether it’s paddling down a serene river or embarking on a new adventure. By day, she’s a humanitarian worker who’s has ventured through over 60 countries, soaking up diverse experiences and perspectives. Leah’s magic lies in her ability to blend all these incredible journeys and viewpoints into one harmonious adventure. With Leah’s guidance, SUPdriven gives you a journey that combines nature, adventure, and an understanding of our world.
Per Vallbo
Co-founder & Guide
Per brings his well-rounded experience with stand-up paddling to every endeavor, accompanied by his skill for crafting exceptional coffee in the wilderness.
Co-founder of SUPdriven, Per is a certified SUP instructor with an unwavering passion for all things SUP. Hailing from the archipelago of Blekinge in Southern Sweden, Per developed a deep connection to the outdoors from a young age. This connection ignited a lifelong journey dedicated to the water. His passion led to the establishment of Yster SUP, where Per serves as both the CEO and the engineer behind the innovative paddleboard designs. Ranked among the top ten national long-distance paddlers in Sweden, Per is a familiar face in the SUP community. Beyond his accomplishments, Per holds a deep-seated belief in the therapeutic and meditative qualities of water, while advocating for the preservation of our natural water bodies. This dedication to environmental awareness and preservation is a core part of Per’s life and work.
Our guides
Caroline 'Caz' Dawson
Guide
Caz is an experienced SUP Guide from North Wales, UK. She has explored Sweden extensively on her SUP and has developed a deep fondness and love of the country. Her speciality is adventure cooking with fire and is often found paddling with her trusty Kelly Kettle strapped to her board. Caz has worked as a guide for SUP Norway, WSA and Gutsy Girls and has recently returned from paddling the Vjosa ‘the last wild river of Europe’ in Albania. In 2024, she plans to paddle 300km of the upper reaches of the Peruvian Amazon.
Ingeborg Mout
Guide
Ingeborg is a certified flat water SUP instructor and experienced travel guide. At age 14 she started as a sailing instructor, later guiding ski holidays in the French Alps, cycle weeks in Ireland and SUP expeditions for SSUP Norway. Although her name is Swedish, she if from the Netherlands where water runs through people’s veins. She started paddle boarding over 10 years ago. With the Amsterdam canals as a backyard to her houseboat, Ingeborg literally lives on water, but her heart is lost to Scandinavian shores. She’ll give her all to make you experience the best of the Swedish waters.
Emmanuelle 'Emma' Marcon
Guide
Emmanuelle (or Emma) fell in love with stand up paddling 10 years ago. Since then she never stopped training on her home spot, Lake Léman in France (near Switzerland). With a degree in sport science and physical education, she then improved her technique by training some of the best paddlers and coaches around. She soon decided to add teaching SUP to her skills and runs her own SUP and pilates business.
Emma been SUP racing since 2016 and in 2021 she started ultra long distance races on rivers. Her 3 favorite races are Dordogne Intégrale (130 km, 1st place in 2021, 2nd place in 2022), Tarn Water Race (80 km, 2nd place in 2021), Marathon de l’Ardèche (27 km, 2nd place in 2021, 3rd place in 2022). 11 City Tour (Holland) and Great Glenn Challenge (Scotland) are on her bucket list. Emma can’t wait to share all her tips to paddle longer with less fatigue on the SUPdriven River Expedition. Extra bonus will be learning how to stretch your muscles to keep healthy and happy!
Our story
Read how it all started on TotalSUP.
Do you want to become an Expedition guide?
We are searching for committed guides and certified instructors who are serious about adventure paddling and outdoor life.
Send your application with your motivation to become a SUPdriven guide along with links to your social media accounts and your contact details.
