About Us - Where purpose meets paddle.
For over 25 years, we’ve shaped athletes, coaches, and communities through freestyle kayaking. Led by Jacko Jackson, Burners Base Camp is more than a program—it’s a movement driven by purpose, passion, and progression. We believe in building better people, not just better paddlers.
Jacko’s Dream Lifelong Freestyle. Limitless Potential.
I fell in love with freestyle kayaking decades ago — not just the moves, but the energy, the people, the challenge of helping others do something extraordinary.
Since my first international competitions in the late '90s, I’ve been on a mission to elevate freestyle: from coaching athletes to world titles, to leading GB Freestyle’s evolution, to running iconic events like the Hurley Classic.
But this journey has never been about medals alone. My dream is a world where freestyle kayaking thrives — in every country, for every kind of paddler. A sport that’s accessible, inspiring, and supported by coaching that actually works: no fluff, just smart methods that meet people where they are and take them further than they ever thought possible.
From developing the Super Performer tool to building coaching frameworks used around the world, everything I do is aimed at removing the barriers and unlocking performance.
Whether you're a kid just starting out or a seasoned athlete chasing mastery, you deserve the best coaching — and that’s what we’re building here, together.
This dream isn’t mine alone anymore. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with and mentoring an exceptional group of coaches — paddlers, parents, and performance thinkers who’ve grown through the same values that shaped Burners and my wider work. Together, we bring experience, energy, and deep care to every session, supporting athletes across all levels.
Meet the team that helps make it all happen.
Meet the Team - Grounded, skilled, and passionate — we’re all in.
These are the coaches, mentors, and program leaders who bring the Burners Basecamp vision to life. Whether on the water or behind the scenes, each one has been personally developed or selected by Jacko, and is united by care, experience, and a shared mission: to help athletes thrive in their sport and beyond.
Our team is closely connected with the wider movement — from the Thames Valley Freestyle League to SE-Freestyle and the evolving Thames Valley Freestyle community — creating pathways that support progression, connection, and purpose at every level.
Quim Fontané Masó
Guest Coach
Head Coach at European WhiteWater School (EWWS) — a standout freestyle and whitewater coaching hub born from the Burners spirit.
The 2017 Men’s Freestyle World Champion and a multiple European Champion, Quim brings elite-level experience and a sharp coaching mind. As one of the sport’s most influential figures, he continues to inspire the next generation while supporting Burners through camps, collaborations, and specialist training weekends with insight, passion, and world-class energy. He is one of Catalonia’s most recognisable and respected sports stars.
Ben Higson
Coach (Dev)
Ben has been part of the Burners journey since his earliest days, immersed in the same language, mindset, and deep curiosity that define the Jacko coaching philosophy.
A thoughtful and committed paddler with a natural feel for people and performance, Ben is now stepping into the coaching space with grounded energy and real clarity. He brings a fresh perspective, a deep sense of purpose, and a shared mission to help others thrive through challenge, connection, and growth. Hailing from Cardiff, this proud Welsh dragon is known for a distinctive ride style and rising presence on the UK freestyle scene.
Beibhin Butler
Coach (Dev)
Beibhin is both an athlete on the Jacko Athlete Roster and a developing coach within the Burners framework.
Her background as a high-performing paddler, combined with her Sports Science studies at university, gives her a strong foundation for understanding performance from multiple angles. She brings calm focus, emotional insight, and a rare ability to tune into what’s really going on. Already, she’s helping shape the thoughtful, empowering environment Burners is known for. A proud voice from the Irish Sea scene, Beibhin is one of the most exciting and authentic rising talents in UK freestyle today.
Sam Wilson
Burners Head Coach
Day-to-day apprentice to Jacko, supporting Burners programs across the UK. Also delivers freelance coaching and club development nationwide.
A Burners athlete turned Burners Head Coach — and now the 2025 Squirt Boat World Champion — Sam has grown into a powerful mentor for the next generation. He brings creativity, calm authority, and clarity to every session, helping paddlers grow in skill, mindset, and self-belief. Rooted in the Burners way and rising fast, Sam is a standout figure in UK freestyle coaching, shaping the future with care, presence, and a genuine love for the sport.
South East Freestyle IRE
SE Freestyle is a thriving community programme based in Ireland, founded by European Champion David McClure. It has become a hugely successful hub for developing freestyle kayaking talent — especially among young people and families. With regular sessions, inclusive energy, and a powerful sense of community, SE Freestyle also provides pathways for parents to get involved. Often collaborating with Burners on camps and coaching, it’s a shining example of grassroots development done the right way.
TVF - UK
TV Freestylers is the beating heart of the Thames Valley paddling scene — a long-standing community hub supporting local paddlers through forums, meetups, and advocacy. Led by Gareth Harvey, the project champions paddlers’ rights, access, and safety, while actively working on weir development at sites like Marsh, Hurley, Shepperton, and Boulter’s. Deeply embedded in the local scene and often collaborating with Burners, TV Freestylers is a vital force in protecting and progressing freestyle opportunities across the region.
Thames Valley League - UK
Thames Valley League is a new grassroots project energising the local paddling community through fun, accessible events, coaching days, and open get-togethers.
Launched in 2024, it quickly gained momentum over the winter season, creating new entry points for paddlers of all levels to connect, learn, and grow.
With a strong community spirit and regular support from Burners coaches, the League is already becoming a core part of the Thames Valley freestyle landscape — and it's only just getting started.
Paddle UK - UK
Paddle UK Freestyle is the NGB for freestyle kayaking in the UK and has worked closely with Jacko and the Burners community on numerous landmark projects — including the 2022 World Championships, national coaching scheme development, and weir access initiatives.
In 2024, Paddle UK awarded Jacko a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his lasting impact on the sport. The connection remains strong, with Burners athletes progressing into national squads and contributing to the growth and direction of freestyle across the UK.
How We Coach -Purposeful, personal, and performance-driven
At Burners Base Camp, coaching isn’t just instruction — it’s a deep collaboration. We tune in with focus, curiosity, and care to truly understand each paddler’s world — their goals, challenges, and what helps them thrive. Every athlete is different, so every approach is tailored. That’s how we unlock real progress.
We believe in coaching as a two-way street: it’s not just about giving answers, it’s about asking the right questions, guiding discovery, and creating space for people to grow beyond what they thought possible.
It’s hands-on, playful, and demanding — but always with purpose. Whether you’re just learning how to edge properly or chasing a world championship title, we meet you where you are and take you step-by-step to what’s next.
And we don’t just coach athletes. We support the full environment: parents, coaches, support teams — everyone involved in helping the paddler thrive. This isn’t just coaching on the water. It’s a full-circle approach to helping people become their best selves — in the boat and in life.
