Jess & Jambo – Canicross, Bikejor & Scooter

Nationwide

Hi, we’re Jess & Jambo, Head Bikejor/Scooter & Canicross Instructors at Sporty Paws; experienced instructors and mushers with our variety of dogs (x15+!)

Between us, we have been running and racing dogs for over 25 years. We have raced both nationally and internationally for Team GB and have a wealth of experience when it comes to training, running and racing dogs – you’ll definitely be looked after. We will be sharing our knowledge, experience and tried and tested methods when you come to us and we hope you’ll love it as much as we do.

Jambo first started mushing with his dogs Cash & Codi in 2008. He quickly discovered the buzz of running with a team of dogs and that’s when China joined in. All of Jambo’s dogs are initially trained on either a bike or a scooter, before they ‘make the team’ and he’s therefore confident that 6 dogs+ aren’t going to drag him in to a hedge! Jess started Canicross in 2014 with her GSD Harry and they soon became addicted to getting out and about together and meeting likeminded people. It was an opportunity to keep fit, maintain a bond and get a good dose of fresh air. During those years, we have had a wide range of dog breeds, from huskies and german shepherds, through to alaskans, eurohounds and greysters. Our training and experiences have naturally changed over this period and we are confident in the tried and tested methods we will be passing on to you.

After discovering canicross with her German Shep, Jess joined her local club (Wessex Canicross) where she soon ended up on the committee, in a number of roles including Chair. Jambo similarly ended up on the committee of the Sled Dog Association of Scotland and later became president for a number of years. In 2018 we then both joined the British Sleddog Sports Federation as ‘President’ and ‘Vice President for Development’ – this is often referred to as the National Governing Body of sled dog sports in the UK. All of these opportunities gave us a chance to work with a huge range of people. We have arranged a crazy number of events, had paperwork coming out of our ears, harvested clients & participants from all around the country and managed to visit some amazing international locations and share and swap stories with dog sport participants around the globe.

Jess has a background (outside of dogs!) which completely focusses on instructing/coaching, including training the UAE Olympic Sailing Team, and she’ll be the bread and butter when it comes to customer service, teaching techniques for humans, paperwork and what’s needed to set up a business. Jambo will be all about the dogs and the training. His background of having a team of dogs is unlike most others and with a huge amount of dogs comes a huge number of past experiences and stories, as well as years of bikejor & scooter.

We were utterly delighted to have become Head Instructors for Sporty Paws in 2021 and we are confident our courses will allow you to have the confidence to start something new with your dog, or improve your existing skills. We are huge believers in ‘grass roots’ participation and strive to see our ‘sport’ grow within the UK. It’s not all about international racing, and we know everyone must start at the beginning one day! It’s all about getting out of the house and enjoying the time you have with your dogs. We really look forward to meeting you on our courses.