About Us

Mal Tabb is a Paddle UK Endorsed Guide and highly experienced open canoe expedition leader. With advanced leadership and coaching qualifications, he has led over a hundred multi-day canoe journeys in Scandinavia, and remote regions of Scotland and Ireland. His work spans expedition guiding, white-water paddling, coastal canoeing, and high-level canoe coaching. Mal holds the BCAB Level 4 Performance Coach Award (Advanced Open Water Canoe) and delivers Paddle UK safety, leadership & coaching awards. Outside of paddlesports he holds a range of mountain & underground leadership qualifications.

Marion Tabb is an outdoor practitioner with more than 14 years’ experience. A qualified rock climbing instructor and underground leader, she brings a broad skill set and a deep passion for bushcraft and life outdoors.
Together, Mal and Marion operate through M&M Outdoor Activity Services, providing expedition guiding, coaching, freelance instruction, and technical safety support. They are founders of the social enterprise Canoes, Mountains & Caves CIC and continue to support its work, alongside partnerships with outdoor providers across Northern England and Scotland. 

Faith, Leadership & the Outdoors
In addition to their professional outdoor work, Mal and Marion are committed Church leaders. They serve as part of the Leadership Team at Elim Community Church, Carlisle, a thriving city-centre church.
They are both regular speakers within the church, contributing to preaching, teaching, and leadership. They are also regularly invited to speak by faith-based outdoor charities and organisations, exploring  themes related to faith in time spent outdoors.
Their work reflects a belief that the outdoors offers a powerful context for discipleship, leadership development, and encountering God — values that naturally shape the way they lead, teach, and guide.

Mal Tabb Qualifications

Advanced Canoe Leader 

L4 Performance Coach Canoe (Advanced Open Water)

Canoe Coach (Advanced Open Water)

Endorsed Guide 

BCU Level 3 Canoe Coach 

BCU Level 3 Kayak Coach 

Inland Open Water Safety & Rescue Tutor

Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course Provider

Canoe Leader Tutor

Paddlesport Instructor Tutor

Personal Performance Awards Provider

SUP Discipline Support Module

White Water Safety & Rescue

Coastal Navigation/Tidal Planning 

Mountain Leader (summer)

Rock Climbing Instructor 

Vertical Cave & Mine Leader

16 hour Outdoor First Aid

5 Day Bushcraft Competency

Marion Tabb Qualifications

Rock Climbing Instructor

Mine Leader

16 hour Outdoor First Aid