Private Coaching

Luke Atkinson

• Surf
• Foil – prone, kite, downwind
• Kite
• Wing
• Jet ski driver

AGE: Mid 20s

We first came across Luke as the winner of the Merimbula Classic prize. A gifted young kiter and 2x National Wave Kite champion, 2025 Foil Fest champion, he is also across the full range of water sports on offer here. Luke is a welcome addition to our team and sought-after coach. @duke_cactuson

Danny Barnette

• Foil – prone, kite, wing
• Surf
• Kite
• Wing
• SUP
• Jet ski driver

Danny is one of our top Kite/Unlimited Week coaches and an expert across wind sports. Having spent time as an instructor for REAL Watersports, he now travels the world as a coach and mentor to some of the world’s most illustrious people. @it.me.db

Adam Bennetts*

• Foil – prone
• Surf
• Jet ski driver

Adam was a former professional surfer for 10+ years and fell in love with surf foiling 5 years ago. Recently voted world’s best surf foiler, Adam is renowned for his style and flow. He translates that wave knowledge into fluid critical turns and long, linked runs. Adam is currently running foil retreats in Fiji, Indonesia and Byron Bay. @misterbennetts

Rory Chapman*

• Surf
• SUP
• Wing
• Foil
• Kite
• Jet ski driver

Rory has been working across the Kalama Kamps and Kite Weeks (now Unlimited Weeks) for well over ten years and has a deep understanding of Namotu and its inner workings. He brings enthusiasm, high energy and absolutely zero ego. Plus he is incredible across a wide range of water sports.

Keahi DeAboitiz*

• Kite
• Foil
• Wing
• Surf
• Jet ski driver

Keahi is a true professional and genuinely lovely person to have around. His skills across a huge range of water sports are impressive, as is his ability to patiently coach anyone. This has made him a sought-after coach for the elite. Keahi has spent plenty of time on Namotu, both as a coach and special guest with his equally wonderful and world champion kitesurfer partner, Moona Whyte.

Haydn Fischer

• Surf
• Kite
• Foil – prone, kite, wing
• Wing
• Spearfishing
• Jet ski driver

Haydn is a highly skilled kite surfer from California currently sponsored by Duotone. He’s been coming as a Kite/Unlimited Week coach since 2018 and is an excellent surf and foil coach as well. Find him on Instagram @haydnfischer

James Jenkins

• Foil – prone, kite, wing
• Surf
• SUP
• Kite
• Wing
• Jet ski driver

James has been coming to Namotu as a surf guide for a long time as well as working at REAL Watersports. He runs foil camps in Nicaragua and here on Namotu, is a TV stunt double, though we think he’s more of a star than the main event.

@jamesjenkins_

Kirsty Jones*

• Kite
• Wing
• Foil
• Jet ski driver

Kirsty is a 3x world kitesurfing wave champion, yoga instructor and kite school operator. Originally from Wales, lately she’s been working on Necker Island and coaching on Unlimited Weeks. @kirstykiteyoga

Dave Kalama*

• Surf
• SUP
• Wing
• Foil – SUP, prone, wing
• Jet ski driver

Kalama has been coming to Namotu since the days of windsurfing in the 90s. He was part of the early kitesurfing movement and is now a renowned all-round waterman. Few understand Namotu and its surrounding reefs as well as Dave. Book him as a coach or join his Kalama Kamps

@davekalama

Dan MacDonald

• Surf
• Foil – prone, kite
• Kite
• Wing
• Jet ski driver

Dan lives in Lennox, NSW where he works as a kite and foil coach. His relaxed style and energy has fast made him a popular addition to the Namotu family as an Unlimited Week coach and his wide skillset really seals the deal. If you’d like to try a few things as part of your program, Dan is a great fit! @stanmacdonald

Caleb Pont

• Surf
• Foil
• Wing
• Jet ski driver

Caleb has clocked up a lot of time here over the last couple of years. He is an extremely skilled foiler and surfer and an absolute pro on a jet ski. He’s become a key coach on both Unlimited Weeks and Wilko’s Weeks as he can also effectively translate his skills to his clients. @calebpont_233

Navi Raiko

• Surf – beginner to intermediate
• Foil – prone, tow, wing all levels
• SUP
• Kitesurfing – beginner
• Jet ski driver

Navi has been part of our Fijian surf guide program since 2020 and in that time has become an integral part of the team. He now lives in Australia and will fly in based on bookings. He has added kitesurfing, foiling and winging to his repertoire and become an expert ski driver for surf, foil and rescues. @navitalai.raiko

Kyron Rathbone

• Freedive & breath hold
• Surf – beginner to advanced
• Foil – prone, wing
• Kite
• SUP
• Jet ski driver

Kyron hails from Tasmania, Australia and has been coming to Namotu as a surf guide for over 10 years. He’s forged a reputation not only for his skill in the water and charging Shipsterns but for his early adoption of foiling. More recently he has developed a passion for freediving and has proven to be an excellent instructor in this field as well. @kyronrathbonewood

Brandon Scheid

• Kite
• Wing
• Foil – prone, kite, wing, SUP
• SUP
• Jet ski driver

A wind sport guru, Brandon has been a Slingshot team rider and product developer for years. Having interned at REAL Watersports, he now lives in Hood River with wife Sensi. Brandon is high energy and highly knowledgable in all things wind. @brandonscheid

Brett Sheerin

• Kite
• Wing
• Foil
• Surf
• Jet ski driver

Brett has been in the wind sport industry for many years and runs a kite school on Maui (True North). He’s done time as an Unlimited Weeks coach and brings a straight-up New Jersey approach to coaching with plenty of tales to keep you entertained on and off the water. @mauitruenorth

Jason Slezak

• SUP
• Foil – prone, wing, kite
• Wing
• Surf
• Kite
• Jet ski driver

Hailing from North Carolina, Jason has been working with REAL for many years and has created a life surrounding the ocean and snow. Another Unlimited/Kite Week coach, Jason is a wind sport guru with a presence in the industry locally and internationally. @jasonslezak

Aaron Smith

• Surf – beginner to advanced including advanced longboard
• Foil – prone, kite, wing
• Kitesurfing
• SUP
• Wing
• Jet ski driver

Aaron is from Lennox in Australian and brings a ton of energy to everything he does. Formerly a competitive longboarder, he now operates a kite and foil school and has spent time coaching on Kite Weeks on Namotu. @earthkitesurfing

Reo Stevens*

• Kite
• Foil
• Wing
• Surf
• Jet ski driver

Kite industry veteran and water sports professional, Reo has an established kite travel business and is a sought-after private coach. Expert across a range of water sports but with a particular focus on wind, Reo is also familiar with Namotu, having regularly spent time here with private clients and groups.

JP Tron

• Foil – prone, kite, wing
• Surf
• Kite
• SUP
• Wing
• Spearfishing
• Jet ski driver

JP lives and breathes wind sports in particular and is a sponsored Slingshot rider and kite school operator in Mexico. He’s spent a lot of time on Namotu over the last few years on the Ben Wilson Unlimited Weeks. @jprotron

Jeremy Wilmotte

• Foil – beginner – advanced prone
• Surf
• SUP
• Kite
• Jet ski driver

Jeremy has been coming to Namotu for many years, formerly as a photographer and lifeguard. These days he’s big into foiling and you’ll more often find him in front of the lense rather than behind. @oceanpixels

Matt Dunsmore

• Surf – beginner to advanced including longboard
• Jet ski driver

Matt has been a surf guide on Namotu for close to 10 years and has ticked off most of the big-wave destinations in that time as well. From Shippies to Tahiti, he has surfed some heavy waves but still knows how to cross-step and is a pro when it comes to helping guests score their best waves every session. He has a calm and reassuring approach to coaching and provides ample motivation and encouragement without going too far. @mattdunsmore

Love Hodel

• Surf – beginner to advanced
• Tow Surfing – Beginner to advanced
• SUP – Beginner 
• Longboard – beginner to advanced 
• Prone Foil – beginner

Love is an Oahu born and bred surfer who spent over 20 years on the World Surfing tour. He has been surfing since he was 3 and is love for surfing and sharing knowledge is infectious. Love coaches 5-time Surfing World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Carissa Moore, along with a new crop of aspiring professional surfers. He also spends some of his time working in the TV and Film industry as a Stunt Performer. His attention to detail will expedite your surfing experience. @cleanfeetfreak

Jake Keville

• Surf – beginner to advanced
• Foil – beginner
• Jet ski driver

Californian kid Jake has spent a fair amount of time in Fiji in the last couple of years and quickly made his mark. He’s been a surf coach at the KS Wave Pool and on Unlimited Weeks where he brings his great attitude and impeccable customer service skills

@jake_keville

Leon Mosher

• Surf – beginner to advanced with longboard focus
• Outrigger – surfing, sailing, fishing

Hailing from Hawaii, Leon is an incredible longboarder who can help take your skills to the next level. He also has a passion for traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoes.  In 2023 he built and brought one to the Island and can take you canoe surfing, sailing, fishing, or just cruising  @leonmosher

Mark Occhilupo

• Surf – all levels
• Jet ski driver

Occy is a true icon of surfing. Hailing from Cronulla, he won a world title in 1999 after a phenomenal comeback. And he’s been coming back to Namotu as a competitor, later as a commentator and now, he’s come back again as a coach. If you want to delve deeper into your surfing, there’s nobody better. @markocchilupo