Who we are
Odysea is a sea kayak outfitter operating all year round between Kefalonia, Ionian islands and Attica, Aegean Sea. Odysea offers full range of experiences & sea kayaking adventures such as sea kayak multi-day trips, expeditions, skills development courses as well as British Canoeing (PaddleUk) Sea Kayak Leadership training & assessment. Our quality equipment and constantly evolving coaching and leadership approaches & philosophy are the usual highlights of our shared experiences.
Odysea’s premises have been chiseled by participants’ experiences, feedback and inspiring takeaways through the years, nowadays focusing on delivering original, developing, inspired & inspiring sea kayaking experiences.
Established in 2012; we are excited to consistently exceed participants’ expectations ever since!
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George Gazetas
Every new year in the outdoors (nearly 20 years since my first ww rafting trip) makes me more passionate and ever-fascinated with sea kayak coaching and guiding!
Well over a decade of dedicated professional focus on sea kayaking has taken me incredible places, both physically and mentally. Blessed enough to frequently experience the special moments of the coastal environment’s natural, often even mesmerising and mystical beauty. Even more rewarding prove to be the unique moments of mutual appreciation, inspiration, learning, and growth between students, guests, participants and colleagues along this journey of many nautical (s)miles and meaningful interactions.
In a nutshell, born and raised in Greece I initially followed studies in mechanical engineering. I used to work as a team-building, corporate, outdoor event facilitator and gradually as a white-water raft guide in the mountainous west Greece (Epirus) in my early 20’s. Falling in love with the outdoor activities, sea kayaking and adventure sport coaching stood inevitable.
That passion for sea kayak coaching and guiding and an over 10 years collaboration with Sea Kayaking Kefalonia offered me the opportunity to log an average of 250 days on the water for years.
With curiosity and a drive for deeper understanding I extended my journey towards the academic dimensions of Performance Coaching (Paddlesports/Sea Kayak) through studies at the University of Stirling. This journey and the completion of the innovative British Canoeing Coaching Diploma programme (2020-2023) got me connected with a thriving community of passionate individuals that greatly contribute in shaping the future of our sports.
At a national level, I serve (since 2021) as Head of Sea Kayaking committee for HATEOA (Hellenic Association of Tourism Enterprises in Outdoor Activities) delighted to have contributed in the development of the professional Sea Kayak Guides’ (animators) accreditation scheme in Greece (based on ELESA, EC-OE).
Running Odysea provides me with awesome opportunities to explore and challenge my philosophy which is all about embracing the dynamic nature of all those fascinating dimensions that define sea kayak coaching and guiding.
Why
Providing a range of top-notch british sea kayaks
As well as a big range of glass & carbon Werner paddles
Top quality camping gear from MSR, Marmot, 7H
ensuring a comfortable camping experience
gear from PeakUk, Marmot, MSR, HF, Palm and other leading manufacturers.
Paddling kit from PeakUk, Palm, Kokatat, HF
Sharing Well maintained and perfectly functional equipment
Equipment
At Οdysea we strongly believe that quality, in all respects, is fundamental. Therefore, we do our best to supply with paddling and camping equipment that meets our high quality standards: Selected based on suitability / best performance, reliability and comfort, our fleet from top manufacturers like P&H, Necky, Valley and Prijon, paddles from Werner Paddles and kit from PeakUk, Hf, Lomo, Kokatat, Palm, Reed and other top suppliers contribute to ensure that we offer you sea kayaking experiences the way we want them to be shared. Our camping equipment from MSR, Marmot, Thermarest, 7H means that tents, sleeping bags, mats and the rest of the kits make our wild camp nights exceptionally pleasant and comfortable.
Testimonials
Les & Kathrin, UK
My wife and I did not have any sea kayak experience. We are both active, in our sixties and needed to be more comfortable in kayaks ready for an adventure we have planned. Immediately before the 3 Star course with George at Odysea (Greece), we started with two one-day trips with Kefalonia Kayaks which were very enjoyable and well run, and can also be highly recommended. We then did a 4 day course with George plus the assessment day. George lived up to his reputation as a passionate kayaker who really wants his students to develop skills and the enjoyment of kayaking. From the start he set the appropriate pace, was patient, informative, and not time constrained. He stretched those in the course as appropriate whilst not pushing those who were uncomfortable going too far out of their comfort zone. He is both very competent and very likeable. His student assessment notes were comprehensive and useful. A highly rewarding 5 days and we had a great time. We will plan to kayak with him again if the opportunity arises.
George Ladyngakis, North Greece
I wanted to thank you for the beautiful come-together, as well as the whole educational process and of course the successful outcome. During the days of the training, your balancing between being a serious coach and having a friendly attitude, as well as your high level of expertise, all contributed positively both to my learning as well as to my mood. Congratulations also for the new equipment that you offer (clothes, boats, paddles, etc.), as it contributes to the respect and the value of the sport.
