Turning the Indian Ocean into a playground

By james wanzala

Kenya: Water sports have long been considered the preserve of the very young or the very wealthy.

But Mr Benjamin Kelliher, the founder of Tribe Water Sports Company in Watamu, Kilifi County, is out to change that mindset.

Mr Kelliher, 27, was born in the UK but grew up in Kenya — his father was a manager at the Mt Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki.

THE BEGINNING

At 15, he knew he wanted to pursue water sports as a career, so when he was old enough to, he enrolled at Portsmouth University in the UK to study marine sports engineering.

He had spent holidays in Watamu and knew the idyllic location would be perfect for the sport. Besides, since several beach hotels in the region have great facilities but no water sports activities, he was confident he would attract customers.

In December 2012, with a capital of Sh5.8 million, he set up Tribe Water Sports. Two years down the line, he has no regrets; the sports he offers are gaining a bigger following each month, and he says business is good.

Aside from turning a profit from his investment, Kelliher’s big dream is to nurture young Kenyans who will take water sports to the Olympics.

“If I get funding, I want to train Kenyans for free to be champions in water sports, and also start academies for water sport activities,” he says during the interview at Medina Palms, where his business is situated.

Kelliher says his clients can do stand up paddle boarding in the mornings and evenings when there is good wind, and then windsurfing in the afternoon.

“The other activities we offer include kayaking, kitesurfing, deep sea fishing and bodyboarding.”

He is also in the process of looking for sponsors who will enable Kenya bid to host the World Kitesurfing Championships.

Kelliher, who has trained in water sports for more than 15 years, also offers safety training and rents out equipment.

The cost of Tribe’s activities vary between Sh1,000 and Sh30,000, with kayaking at the bottom end, and a three-day kitesurfing course at the top.

Stand up boarding lessons are Sh3,500, while renting the boards is Sh2,000. Windsurfing costs Sh14,292 for a two-day course. A kayak rental is Sh1,000 for a single-seater unit, and Sh1,500 for a double. 

The charges depend on whether one wants to specialise in an activity or just learn enough to enjoy it. 

“Water sports are physically involving and enjoyable. Anyone from the age of six to 70 can do it,” says Kelliher. “Many people enjoy windsurfing and kayaking, so these sports are our biggest income earners.”

PEAK SEASONS

His peak seasons are from December to February, when he trains an average 15 people a day, and from July to September, when he trains an average 10 people a day.

Kelliher is not able to  disclose what he makes each month because he says his company’s accounts for the first business year are still being worked on.

“We have invested over £40,000 [Sh5.8 million] in the Kenyan economy. As it stands, we are set to break even in our first year.”

Tribe Water Sports is Kenya’s only recognised British Kite Sports Association (BKSA) approved school, and one of only three that have made the grade outside the UK.

“The BKSA is an internationally renowned association that has strict guidelines on safety requirements and the quality of service that schools should adhere to to be approved.

“If you want to venture into this business, you must first be a qualified and accredited instructor since you are dealing with people’s lives,” Kelliher says.

He imports his company’s equipment from South Africa, the US or UK. A stand up paddle board costs between Sh25,000 and Sh30,000, while a kayaking board starts at Sh30,000. Tribe currently holds about 40 pieces of equipment.

“We’ve also been able to increase our clientele by marketing ourselves on our website and Facebook page. This has brought in clients from outside the Coast interested in water sports,” Kelliher says.

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