Role: WALX Master

Martin brought Nordic walking to this country in 2003, forming Nordic Walking UK and creating the education programmes for over 5000 instructors nationwide. He introduced Nordic walking to Hampstead in 2010 and continues to deliver classes, train instructors and develop fitness walking programmes for national roll out. The next step on this journey is the development of WALX – reaching those who prefer to exercise outdoors, whether for fitness, health – physical and mental – or rehab … with Nordic walking poles or without. Martin owns, manages and delivers classes for WALXhampstead. He has surrounded himself with a fantastic team of instructors and aims for WALXhampstead to be the premier fitness walking club in the country.

Role: Instructor

Gary is an accredited NWUK Instructor and will be teaching our Power of Poles technique courses as well as leading some of his own group walks. Gary says: I’ve always loved walking and have particularly fond memories of two treks in the Annapurna region in Nepal, one to Annapurna Base Camp where we reached an elevation of 13,500ft which was literally breath-taking! I took up Nordic Walking in November 2017. My wife and I had been searching for a way to keep us fit that we could both share and enjoy. I had suffered a back injury the previous year and not being gym-types, Nordic Walking looked to be an ideal way to keep moving and sure enough, after completing our course, we’ve not looked back. With Nordic Walking Watford, even though I am Watford born and bred, I’ve discovered so many beautiful places that I didn’t realise are right here on our doorstep in Hertfordshire. As part of Nordic Walking UK I’ve been able to walk with other groups in Chichester, Dorset, the Peak District and Yorkshire to name but a few. In April 2021, I qualified as a Nordic Walk Instructor and enjoy teaching Nordic Walking and assisting Tracy Reeve at Nordic Walking Watford. I’m not really one for walking too much on my own so the social aspect of walking in groups has been a real benefit and at the same time I’m getting just the right level of exercise I want, outside in the fresh air with wonderful countryside to look at. What more could one want?

Role: Instructor

Caroline started Nordic Walking in 2016 as part of her recovery from a prolapsed disc. In 2018 she became a Nordic Walking Leader for Nordic Walking Watford. Caroline leads a Gear 1 walk from Leavesden on a Friday morning and a Gear 2 walk on a Sunday morning. In addition, Caroline heads up our brilliant Boots and Books club, leading the monthly walk and preparing our literary discussions. Caroline says “I love Nordic Walking, being outdoors, the friendliness of our group, the health and fitness benefits that it brings me. Because of that I decided that I wanted to help others learn about the benefits, so in 2024 I qualified as a Nordic Walking Instructor with the Watford group.”

Role: Instructor

Ann is an accredited NWUK Leader, and will mainly be leading the Tuesday evening and Friday evening walks but may provide occasional cover for any of the other walks. Ann says: “Having taken up Nordic walking in June 2014 with my husband, in an effort to get fitter and lose some weight, we have achieved both goals and now thoroughly enjoy regular walks in the evenings and at weekends. The variety of Wellbeing, Workout and Adventure routes has kept us coming back for more and I was pleased to have the opportunity to train as a walk leader with NWUK. The dark evenings and cold weather hasn’t put either of us off, but we do look forward to spring and summer when we can get back into the fields and woodlands – there is so much countryside on our doorstep! With a sedentary day job and not getting any younger, Nordic Walking has proved to be an ideal exercise routine and social activity. Why not come and join us? You will love it!”

Role: Walk Leader

Heather is an accredited NWUK Leader and will be back marking some of our larger group walks as well as leading some of her own smaller group walks.  

Role: Walk Leader

Lyn is an accredited NWUK Leader and will be back marking some of our larger group walks as well as leading some of her own smaller group walks. Lyn says: Back in 2015 I was heading towards retirement and looking for a pastime to do with others while keeping active. Look no further than Nordic Walking, plenty of exercise outdoors with good company, and some great coffee venues. Nordic Walking has opened my eyes to so many different places on our doorsteps to enjoy and has opened up lots of new friends to share the walks with.

Role: Walk Leader

Liz is an accredited NWUK Leader and will be back marking some of our larger group walks as well as leading some of her own smaller group walks. Liz says: I have been with NWW for 6 years now and have recently become a backmarker and walk leader. I love Nordic walking and being outdoors in the beautiful countryside. It is a great way to exercise and my fitness has definitely improved. We are a friendly group, who enjoys a good chat along the way and socialising over a coffee after the walk. There is always someone to encourage and motivate you when you really don’t think you will make it up that hill – I know I have been there many times and there’s a great sense of achievement when you do reach the top! So come and join us, you won’t look back.

Role: Walk Leader

Catherine is an accredited NWUK Leader and will be back marking some of our larger group walks as well as leading some of her own smaller group walks.  

Role: Walk Leader

Tina is an accredited NWUK Leader and will be back marking some of our larger group walks as well as leading some of her own smaller group walks.    

Role: Walk Leader

Lesley is an accredited NWUK Leader and will be back marking some of our larger group walks as well as leading some of her own smaller group walks. Lesley says: Back in 2015, with my daughter leaving home to go to University, I was looking for something to do for me and came across an advert in the local paper for Nordic Walking Watford; as I’ve always enjoyed walking I signed up for the Learn To course and was hooked. What’s not to enjoy about a walk, and natter followed by coffee, whilst keeping fit and exploring the local area?    

Role: Walk Leader

Pearl is an accredited NWUK leader and will be back marking our larger groups, as well as providing walk leader cover for various walks when needed. “After retiring in 2019, I was looking for an activity to ensure that I continued to enjoy walking with an opportunity to make new friendships. I first met Tracy on a snowy day in February 2020 for my introduction to Nordic walking. This was followed by coffee and pancakes. I then knew I had found what I was looking for. Then came lockdown, but not to be discouraged, I took part in all the virtual challenges and once we could all return to group walking continued to walk regularly. Early in 2023 I found I had more time, so I decided to get more involved with the group and take on more responsibility by training as a walk leader. My aim is to share with you the enjoyment of being part of Nordic Walking Watford.”

Role: Walk Leader

Sue says: “I joined NWW back in 2022 after looking for a local Nordic Walking Group. I enjoy walking outside in nature and have discovered so many new local rural areas with the group. There are so many different levels and distances of walks available. In October 2024 there was an opening for a new walk leader and I have completed the relevant training now. I love the idea of leading and sharing walks with such a friendly sociable group, especially finishing at a cafe for a well earned coffee! “

Role: Walk Leader

Patricia is a NWUK accredited walk leader. Patricia says: I started Nordic Walking in 2018 but when I retired in 2022 I joined Nordic Walking Watford and haven’t looked back. As well as keeping fit it is a wonderful experience discovering the beautiful places on our doorstep, getting immersed in nature and the opportunity to meet the many very interesting people who are part of the Nordic Walking Community.

Role: Instructor

Tracy is an accredited Instructor and Delivery Partner for Nordic Walking UK. Over the last 10 years, Tracy built a successful Nordic Walking community in and around the Watford area and in August 2025 decided to hand over the reigns. Tracy still delivers TECHNIQUE courses and leads regular walks, both during the week and at weekends. Tracy says… Having had two children and several courses of treatment for Breast Cancer, I started 2015 at an all-time low in terms of fitness and wellbeing. I knew I wanted to get back into regular exercise but was struggling to find something that would work for me. I stumbled across Nordic Walking, liked the idea of exercising outdoors and booked my course… I was hooked! I now enjoy taking part in endurance walking and successfully completed the iconic Race to the Stones in July 2016, Race to the King and the Purbeck Marathon in 2017, Yorkshire Three Peaks in 2018 and Race to the Tower in 2019. I firmly believe that Nordic Walking has something to offer everyone – from those who haven’t exercised for some time through to those who train regularly. As a Nordic Walking Instructor, I aim to encourage and inspire people to get active through Nordic Walking and realise the many benefits it can bring. Our walks are always enjoyable, even on a rainy day, and the members of our group are very supportive and encouraging of each other. Tracy has recently been nominated a Hero of Hertfordshire and was a finalist in the Watford Mayor’s Audentior Awards for her Contribution to Sport and Healthy Living.

Role: WALX Master

Martin brought Nordic walking to this country in 2003, forming Nordic Walking UK and creating the education programmes for over 5000 instructors nationwide. He introduced Nordic walking to Hampstead in 2010 and continues to deliver classes, train instructors and develop fitness walking programmes for national roll out. The next step on this journey is the development of WALX – reaching those who prefer to exercise outdoors, whether for fitness, health – physical and mental – or rehab … with Nordic walking poles or without. Martin owns, manages and delivers classes for WALXhampstead. He has surrounded himself with a fantastic team of instructors and aims for WALXhampstead to be the premier fitness walking club in the country.