Roger began his outdoor career at the age of ten, surfing in a rubber dinghy on his local beach. He quickly progressed to kayak surfing, winning several regional junior competitions, and during his A‑levels he discovered rock climbing and mountaineering. This early passion led him to complete a B.Ed. in Outdoor Education at IM Marsh (John Moores University).
After graduating, Roger worked in outdoor centres in North Wales and Scotland before being given the opportunity to establish a new outdoor centre in the North Pennines for a youth training agency. He later moved into further education, eventually settling in the Lake District to help establish—and then manage—an outdoor centre for a charitable trust, a role he held for the next 20 years.
Roger has climbed and paddled throughout much of Europe, with additional expeditions to the Himalayas and the USA. He is a Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, British Canoeing Level 4 Kayak and Canoe Coach, and Level 3 Surf and Sea Coach. He is also a Royal Yachting Association Dinghy Senior Instructor, as well as a first aid trainer. He remains active and enthusiastic across all these disciplines.
His sector involvement has been extensive, including roles as Director and Treasurer of Mountain Training United Kingdom & Ireland, Chair of Cumbria Canoeists, Secretary of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (Lakes region), and representative on the Mountain Liaison Group. He is currently Chair of both Gairloch Boat Club and Gairloch Coastal Rowing Club.
