Pwllheli kayakers died after sailing on damaged inflatables - inquest

Two kayakers died after sailing on inflatable kayaks they had earlier repaired with "duct tape and a puncture repair kit", an inquest has heard.

Father-of-four Simon Wilson, 35, and Connor Parfitt, 24, both worked as cleaners at Hafan y Mor holiday park near Pwllheli, Gwynedd, where they also lived in staff accommodation.

Both disappeared after setting out from a beach near the holiday park on the evening of 21 July 2026.

On Friday, a coroner from Caernarfon Coroner's Court said their kayaks may have become damaged while out at sea, and concluded their deaths were an accident.

The inquest heard Wilson had lived most of his life in the Porthmadog area and had been working as a cleaner at Hafan y Mor since February 2025.

Parfitt had moved to north Wales from Blackpool for a fresh start after a difficult time in his life.

A statement from his brother said that while living in Lancashire, he had lost a close friend who died in his arms.

Both men were seen at the staff accommodation at Hafan y Mor repairing inflatable kayaks with duct tape and a puncture repair kit on 20 July.

The next day, they were seen heading out to sea before being spotted paddling about one mile offshore, not in any difficulty or distress.

But they never returned and were later reported missing.

Parfitt's body was found on the beach near Llanfarian, Ceredigion, on 26 July.

Wilson's body was discovered in the water close to the shore at Llwyngwril, Gwynedd on 28 July, a week after the pair disappeared.

Post mortem examinations showed that Parfitt died from hypothermia from being in the water after a period of fasting, while Simon Wilson had drowned.

The coroner Kate Robertson said the pair may have been lost at sea due to the kayaks being damaged.

She said to the family of Wilson, who were at the hearing: "I can't imagine how difficult it must have been while the search was going on – no words can adequately reflect what you went through.

"I say the same to Connor's family – you both have my sincere condolences."

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