Committee Members

Meet the team!

NZSUP exists entirely upon work done by volunteers.  These are the people who do all the work behind the scenes to make the NZSUP scene happen.

Jacqui Simpson – Chairperson / President

Jacqui is the Chairperson of NZ SUP and brings a strong background in leadership and service. She co-leads a consulting engineering practice, volunteers with Coastguard Northern Communications, and is a mum of teenagers.

A dedicated year-round paddler, Jacqui began racing at the Takapuna Beach Series in 2023 and has since earned several age-category medals in the Nationals Challenger Series. Looking ahead, she plans to push her limits by paddling 125km in Thailand’s SUP 11 Islands Challenge in late 2025.

Jacqui joined the NZ SUP Committee to give back to the sport and contribute to its continued growth and accessibility across Aotearoa.

Bill Dawes – National Safety Officer

The original founder of NZSUP.  Bill has been involved with all aspects of the SUP industry, as an importer, manufacturer, designer, journalist, instructor, coach and event organiser. He manages the NZSUP instructor training scheme, coordinates SUP safety in New Zealand, runs the Triple Crown event series, Northland Paddleboarding, NZ’s longest-running fulltime SUP school, and the weekly Paddle at the Pear tree SUP club and race in Kerikeri.

Belinda (Bindy) Gummer – Treasurer

Bindy started paddling in 2022 after spending time on the shore as a support driver for Kaitaia College’s weekly paddle sessions. Curious and inspired, she took to the water herself—and was instantly hooked. Paddling became a vital part of staying active while managing advanced knee arthritis and preparing for a bilateral knee replacement.

In 2023, Bindy accepted a challenge from her students to compete at Nationals. It was an unforgettable experience that deepened her passion for the sport and the SUP community. She now paddles regularly, coaches students at Kaitaia College and Ngataki School, and joins the Stone Store Paddlers in Kerikeri when she can.

As NZ SUP Treasurer since 2024, Bindy brings her energy and commitment to creating inclusive, welcoming events for paddlers of all ages. She is also a proud mum of two teenagers—one of whom often joins her on the water.

Aaron Papp – Secretary
Aaron started stand up paddling in 2022 when a friend brought him along to an introductory paddle event. Ever since then, he has been hooked and it didn’t take long before he was on the water weekly. Starting with casual paddles with a couple friends, this expanded to enjoying paddling tours, participating in events like the Cambridge to Hamilton race, the nationals, and development events.
As a year-round paddler, Aaron enjoys exploring all the nooks and views our waters offer with our awesome and welcoming community. He is now the secretary of NZ SUP, bringing previous experience on executive committees and an aspiration to support the paddle boarding community.
Mickie Williams

Based in Waihi Beach, Mickie is Owner and Director of Waihi Beach SUP & Kayak and Event
Promoter of the Waihi Beach SUP Classic. He brings hands-on experience across event
organisation, club development, and community building, alongside a strong SUP surfing
perspective. Representing the Bay of Plenty region, Mickie is focused on creating engaging
events across both SUP surfing and flatwater disciplines to grow participation and
strengthen connection throughout the New Zealand paddling community.

Jo Taylor

Jo is a Nelson-based SUP coach and guide with a background in marketing, communications,
community events, and the outdoor industry. She used to run her own paddleboarding
business in the UK before moving to New Zealand. She loves helping people feel more
confident on the water, developing skills and safety knowledge to gear you up for your own
SUP goals. She shares paddleboarding adventures through her blog, and loves taking on SUP
expeditions like the length of the Abel Tasman, the Whanganui river and hiking into places
with her SUP to paddle out.

Rod King

Rod has been involved with paddleboarding in Nelson for the last ten years. Being semi-
retired and self-employed he is a regular paddler and weather permitting, can be found out
on the water off Tahunanui Beach most days of the year. After moving from Christchurch to
Nelson the joys of year-round kayak paddling soon gave way to the first paddleboard which
rapidly progressed to being a fourteen-foot model due to the need for speed.
This led to becoming involved with the local SUP group and a decision to formalise and
incorporate the Nelson SUP Club, which continued until just recently with the changes in the
legislation. Key involvement with organising club events and then Paddlefest Nelson as an
annual “Top of the South” event to bring all together all types of paddlecraft, along with
encouraging new people into the sport and ensuring the SUP safety message gets out there.
Two mottos: “Never stop learning, life always has something to teach you.” and: “There is
always room in the garage for another SUP board.”