Who We Are - Symposium Coaches

2010

Nigel Foster
BCU Level 5 Coach/Sea & Surf
BCU Level 4 Coach/Inland Kayak & Open Canoe
BCU 5 Star Award/Sea Kayak, Open Canoe, White Water & Surf
Wilderness First Alert

http://www.nigelfosterdesigns.com/
A partner and Director of Training at Sweetwater Kayaks, Foster has been long recognized as the dean of surf kayaking, having pioneered the sport in the 1970's. Since then, Foster has paddled solo or led expeditions in the waters off Norway, Sweden, Baffin Island, and the Faroe Islands. He was the first to circumnavigate Iceland. In 2004, he and Kristin Nelson paddled around the north end of Labrador. During early summer 2006, they paddled the Misty Fjords in southeast Alaska, and during late summer 2006, they paddled Sweden and Denmark. Early 2007 saw him in New Zealand, Mexico, and back home.

Nigel is the author of "Kayaking: A Beginner's Guide", "Nigel Foster's Sea Kayaking: Secrets From The Pro", "Nigel Foster's Surf Kayaking", "Guide to Sea Kayaking in Southern Florida", "Open Canoe Technique: A Complete Guide to Paddling the Open Canoe." Nigel has designed his own line of sea kayaks: Silhouette, Legend, Shadow, Echo. Most recently he has designed a new line of kayaks distributed by Point 65 Kayaks: Whiskey 16, Whiskey 18, Double Shot Tandem and Cappuccino 13. In addition to sea kayaks, he has created his own accessory line which includes clothing, PFD, tow line and other exciting products. His articles are often featured in Sea Kayaker, Canoe Focus, and other outdoor publications. His classes are always exciting and fun!

Kristin Nelson is an accomplished kayaker and instructor. A white-water kayaker in the 1990’s, Kristin initially disregarded sea kayaking, expecting it to be boring. Friends showed her otherwise. Her first open crossing was from USA to Canada, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Vancouver Island. In 1997 she made her first multiday kayaking journey, self-sufficient from a kayak, around the Island of Mull in Scotland, and between the islands to the south. With the western Washington Pacific coast as a playground, her surf and rough water skills improved. She has kayaked the Grand Canyon, and in 2004 paddled a five-week self-sufficient arctic wilderness trip from Ungava Bay, around Northern Labrador to finish at Labrador’s northernmost village. (A 675 mile long journey in totally uninhabited territory, punctuated by encounters with polar bears. The story appeared in Sea Kayaker Magazine.)

From the mid-1990’s she began assisting Nigel Foster, instructing all around the world as a long-term apprentice, becoming more and more useful to him as her personal skills developed and as she became familiar with a wide range of instructional skills. Since then she has assisted Nigel guiding trips and teaching in Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, as well as all over the USA.

Modest by nature, Kristin most often offers a superb support role while Nigel instructs, and when asked what she does for a living she declares “I’m a ceramicist”. There is truth in that. For years she has made a name for herself by creating colorful tableware of a unique and distinctive style, sold across the USA and in Japan. But her other life “following” Nigel around the globe, is likewise special and appreciated. She offers a gentle feminine approach to sea kayak balance and control and a keen perception of the anxieties and needs of others, really helping people learn without fear. You’ll see her standing in her kayak wearing her self-designed kayaking dress (a creation she ran up before paddling the Grand Canyon) or cruising down the face of an ocean wave with a quirky smile on her face.               http://www.krikristudio.com/"

Phil Hadley

I coach canoe, kayak and sea kayak, beginners to advanced, one off sessions to multi-day expeditions

I can offer bespoke paddlesport coaching to individuals or groups and can train and assess the following BCU qualifications -
1 - 4 Star Canoe and White Water Kayak
3 star Sea Kayak
Level 1 and Level 2 BCU Paddlesports Coach Award
'Old style' BCU L3 Training Canoe and Inland Kayak
'Old style' BCU L2 Assessments Canoe and Inland Kayak
'Old style' BCU L3 Assessments Canoe and Inland Kayak
Foundation Safety and Rescue Training
Canoe Safety Test
Aquatic First Aid.

  Greg Stamer grew up paddling open canoes but was instantly captivated by sea kayaks and got his start in 1988. Home is wherever he happens to be, but central Florida is his home base.

Greg is the President and founder of Qajaq USA, the American Chapter of the Greenland Kayaking Association (Qaannat Kattuffiat).

Greg is perhaps best known for his study, teaching and writings of Greenland technique and culture. He has written articles for Sea Kayaker magazine and authored the chapter, “Using Greenland Paddles” in “Eastern Arctic Kayaks, History, Design, Technique” by John D. Heath and E. Y. Arima. Greg is a featured paddler in Justine Curgenven’s “This is the Sea” video, and is a guest-instructor in “Nigel Foster’s Sea Kayaking Series”.

 Greg participated on the first American team, when the annual Greenland Kayaking Championship was opened to outsiders in 2000. He won his age group in the World Class (which combined all Greenlanders and foreigners), and earned medals in different disciplines, including long distance racing and rolling. Greg returned again in 2002 and earned another gold medal for rolling. While there he enjoyed kayaking in several locations along the Southwest Greenland coast in a traditional skin covered kayak; “The Greenlandic coast and fiords are truly soul-inspiring in their beauty. Works of man are few, and the immense landscape both humbles and empowers you at the same time”.

In June 2007 Greg and Freya Hoffmeister circumnavigated Iceland (1,620 km) in 33 days (25 paddling days), a record. Greg used a carbon Superior Kayaks Greenland paddle on the trip.

In June 2008 Greg circumnavigated Newfoundland solo (2,102 km) in 44 days (35 paddling days), a record. Greg used take-apart carbon Superior Kayaks Greenland paddles on the trip (86″ and 88).

http://www.gregstamer.com/

http://www.qajaqusa.org/

Steve Maynard

BCU Level 5 coach sea, Assessor Level 5

Head of Paddle Sport
Expeditionary Studies Department
SUNY Plattsburgh
 

Jen Kleck

Jen is an American Canoe Association certified Coastal Kayak Instructor as well as a British Canoe Union 5 Star and Level 5 Coach. She is only the second woman in North America to achieve this ranking in the BCU. She enjoys racing when she can and has set several records in the San Diego's annual Bay2Bay regatta. She is also competitive in kayak surfing and a member of the 1999, 2000, and 2003 National Champion women's kayak polo teams. Jen has a BA in geology and enjoys natural history of all sorts.

Lamar Hudgens
Education Degree WCU
BCU Level 4 Coach A1* Assessor/Sea Kayak
ACA Advanced Open Water Instructor
BCU 5 Star Award/Sea Kayak

Lamar founded Barrier Island Kayaks in 1996. He has now accumulated over 30 years of kayaking experience with over 22,000 miles behind the paddle. He has worked as head guide for Wildwater Ltd. on the Chattooga River, managed High Country Outfitters on the Ocoee River, worked as a trip leader and instructor for Nantahala Outdoor Center and Senior Field Staff rock climbing and paddling instructor for Camp Woodson Therapeutic Wilderness Camp. Lamar's guiding experience on Section IV of the Chattooga River was written up in National Geographic in April 1983.

Lamar was awarded the BCU 5 Star in 2004 from Nigel Dennis at an assessment in Anglesey, Wales, UK. At that time, this award was held by less than 15 paddlers in the United States and qualifies Lamar as one of the highest ranking BCU sea coaches in the US. His passion for open sea paddling has taken him to Wales four times and Lamar now leads advanced sea kayak trips to the UK. 

http://www.barrierislandkayaks.com/

David Camp is a retired research scientist and scientific editor. He conducted marine biological research for 30 years at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg. He then edited an international, peer-reviewed scientific journal for six years from his home office. He has edited two landmark books on marine biodiversity, one on the Crustacea of the United States and Canada and the other on the marine organisms of the Gulf of Mexico. He now enjoys retirement with his wife, Karol, and their long-haired dachshund, Carlee.

An avid outdoorsman, David enjoys sailing, hiking, backpacking, camping, and kayaking, but he no longer SCUBA dives as he did in the past during his career days. He has enjoyed a long relationship with Sweetwater Kayaks, where he now occasionally conducts kayaking eco-tours of the marine environment at Weedon Island Preserve on Tampa Bay.

John Carmody

BCU Aspirant Level 5 Sea Coach
ACA Open Water Instructor
ACA Level 4 Surf Instructor
BCU 4Star Sea Assessor
Wilderness First Responder
Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide
Senior Sea Kayak Instructor- St Michael’s College Wilderness Program
Adjunct Instructor, Expeditionary Studies Program,SUNY Plattsburgh

With the exception of a few misguided years a while ago, John has lived on the ocean his entire life. He has been in and around most every type of boat, tending towards the wind and human powered types. Almost 20 years ago, the sea kayak became his vessel of choice, and he has enjoyed adapting his “Big Boat” skills to kayaks.

John’s love of the traditions of the sea is infectious as he passes his seamanship and navigation skills on to his students. As a Coach, his understanding of the human body and biomechanics, gives him unique insights into what will make his students more efficient, safer from injuries and better able to enjoy these centuries old craft in more exposed environments.

John has led trips throughout Maine, the Canadian Maritimes, and the British Isles. He regularly instructs at Kayak Symposiums throughout the US.

John is a Team paddler for both P&H Kayaks and Werner Paddle.

Tom Nickels
Before relocating to Washington, DC in the Summer of 2007, Tom spent nearly 15 years kayaking in Charleston, SC – during the last five he operated the successful sea kayak training and tour company OceanAir Sea Kayak. He began volunteering for the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department water-based program and later advanced to a part-time paid safety staff position in the kayak program. In April, 2002, he advanced to “Lead Instructor” status.

He received his ACA Open Water certification in February 2002. In October 2002 he continued his kayak instruction by taking and passing the BCU 4 Star, held at Sea Kayak Georgia. Nigel Dennis was the instructor.

He worked for two seasons, in 2002 & 2003, for a local SC outfitter, on a contract basis, where his role was to provide guide and nature interpretation services for wide variety of kayak tours. He also provided ACA kayak class instruction. He has been a presenter/instructor of the BCU 3* and 4* class and various ACA classes at the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival held in Charleston, SC. He is now a regular coach at the "BCU Safety Symposium" held in North Carolina, the Sweetwater Kayak Symposium held in Tampa in February and BCU Week/Sea Kayak Georgia on Tybee Island.

In 2002 Tom founded OceanAir Sea Kayak, a successful sea kayak tour and instruction business in Folly Beach, SC. For five years he offered the finest private and small class instruction in the Charleston area while also conducting a wide range of interpretive, scenic and challenging paddling tours.

In June 2007, Tom and his wife Gloria sold OceanAir Sea Kayak and moved to Washington, DC where Tom is now the director of the sea kayak instruction program at Potomac Paddle Sports. Tom also teaches at numerous BCU and ACA sea kayak symposia along the east coast.

Marve Phelps is a long time kayaker and canoeist. Over the years he has done his share of trashing a few kayaks and canoes on river rocks and oyster bars in Florida. After years of paying for repairs, he began doing his own. It wasn’t long until his friends were bringing their boats to him. Marv is retired and enjoys doing kayak and canoe repair work as a hobby. Companies such as Valley and Point 65* N recognizes Marv’s attention to quality and the meticulousness of his work. He works with composites, rotomold and thermoform boats. He enjoys the challenge of rebuilding and refurbishing older kayaks and canoes. There is great satisfaction in seeing an old boat brought back to like new condition.

His favorite water crafts are two Curtis solo canoes which are over twenty years old that are in kept in pristine condition. Marv enjoys sea kayaking but loves paddling Florida rivers and Everglades doing multi day trips in his Curtis solos.

Ken Knapton  A Florida native, Ken has been paddling in Florida for over 40 years. Florida with its rivers, bays, spring runs, and the Atlantic Ccean has some of the most diverse paddling in the world. Ken enjoys Florida history and learning about it, he makes his own Greenland paddles. Ken is an ACA Certified Instructor - Coastal Kayaking (Level 3) and has a BCU 3 Star Award/Sea Kayak.

Member of ACA, BCU, and QAJAQ USA

Ken's Motto is The greatest achievement any man can hope to obtain is that people would speak well of him.

Kevin Black - bio and link coming

Suzanne Hutchinson, Merrimac, MA. Suz’s love of paddling has taken her to Scotland, Wales, and England, with the playground of the Maine coast as her home waters. She has been paddling recreationally for 10 years. In her early years, her boat lived atop her car because it never would have made the turn to get in the elevator of her condo. She is passionate about kayaking; loves to introduce new paddlers to the sport, and is dedicated to teaching with her cold water workshops.

Suz is a Registered Maine Guide, a BCU level 1 instructor and 5* aspirant. She is the New England Kokatat Rep and a Team Paddler for P & H. When not traveling the roads of New England, she lives with her husband Werner, three cats, and a barn full of boats!

Jeff Fabiszewski - bio and link coming

Jean Totz (jean.totz@yahoo.com)
BCU A3 Level 2 Coach Trainer & Assessor
BCU Level 3 Coach/Sea Kayak
BCU 4 Star Award/Sea Kayak
BCU 5 Star Training/Sea Kayak
TRSA Whitewater Training

After 12 years as part owner of Sweetwater Kayaks Inc. Jean retired, she did not, however; retire from paddling! Her passion has always been “to pursue the ever expanding experiences that sea kayaking offers and sharing it with others." Jean also was the Symposium Director for Sweetwater Kayaks this experience offered her the opportunity to work with many talented coaches. She continues to enjoy traveling and coaching at sea kayak symposiums on the East and West coasts of the US. Skill refinement is her area of expertise; "I like to focus on breaking down fear barriers and building confidence to enhance the learning experience."

Russell Farrow
BCU 5 Star Training/Sea Kayak
BCU 4 Star Award/Sea Kayak
BCU Level 3 Coach/Sea Kayak
BCU Level 3 Coach Aspirant/Surf
BCU Three Star Award/Canoe TSRA Certified Solo Open Boat
Wilderness First Responder

President of Sweetwater Kayaks, Russell's excellent product knowledge enables our customers to be outfitted to best suit their paddling needs. In addition to sea kayaking, his outdoor background includes mountain biking and climbing. These sports have taken him all over the world; Scotland, France, Switzerland, Canada, Andorra, Spain, Morocco, Hawaii, and North America. Among Russell's many talents, he is also a professional musician. He plays guitar in the band, "Sizemore".  There music is available on iTunes and tangoradio.com and at the shop. He has appeared on Saturday Night Live. In 2005, Russell organized the Labrador 2005 Expedition and paddled down the northeast coast of Labrador (Some call it one of the most challenging coastlines in the world.)

In 2007 he paddled in Florida (leading trips in the everglades), the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Mexico, San Diego, Deception Pass, Washington, Alaska, Scotland, Outer Hebrides, and Georgia.

He and his "Team Sweetwater" won the IR Vacation to Hell grant, and in the summer of 2008 paddled in the High Arctic of Canada's Baffin Island.  A DVD and presentation has come out on that expedition.

He has written articles for Canoe Focus Magazine as well as developed paddling and adventure DVD's.

Don Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FUN
BCU Aspiring Level Three Coach/Sea Kayak
BCU Four Star Award/Sea Kayak
BCU Two Star Award/Canoe
BDA Three Star White Water Paddler
ACA Instructor
First Aid
CPR

Don, Director of Fun at Big D's Kayaking and Sweetwater Kayaks, has been a paddling guide and corporate trainer for four decades. Since 1963, when he led his first paddling tour, he recognized that his paddling students wanted to become technically competent paddlers and have a lot of fun while building their skills. To that end, his wife Donna and he created PrecisionMania© - a technically precise, synchronized and humorous demonstration of kayak paddling techniques.

Many of my colleagues call him “The Clown Prince of Kayaking,” in part because he likes to laugh and have fun but also because he created "Bananamation" - using a banana, which looks a lot like a kayak, to demonstrate the effects of wind and water while paddling. He is accomplished in both sea kayaking and white water and has been associated with Sweetwater Kayaks since 2003.

Donna Thompson
BCU Level Two Coach Aspirant/Sea Kayak
BCU Three Star Award/Sea Kayak
BCU Canoe Safety Test
BCU Two Star Award/Canoe
First Aid
CPR

Donna Thompson has been paddling for nearly twenty years. Donna teaches paddling classes, leads guide trips and helps out on Sweetwater Kayaks Demo Days. She was the very first Precision "maniac." 

She is a very talented teacher, having received several awards and acknowledgements for her past teaching experiences. At one training event prior students put out the word that Donna was a great instructor, and every new student signed up for her classes leaving the other teachers alone with their paddles.

In her spare time, Donna (and Don) train service dogs for the blind as Area Coordinators for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Phil Eversole - bio and link coming

Bob Chierico
BCU Level Two Coach Aspirant/Sea Kayak
BCU Three Star Award/Sea Kayak
BCU Canoe Safety Test
First Aid
CPR

Before retiring to Florida, he was a founding partner in a consumer packaging and branding company Nilssen Design Associates located in New York City. Bob is now pursuing his passion for 3-D modeling/Rendering, combining his experience as a professional photographer with his graphic design and production knowledge.

Bob has been paddling since 1994. He moved here from Queens, NY. He is an avid fisherman, loves music, ballroom dancing, and paddling.

Rob Moorman is a native of St. Petersburg who spent ten years in the motion picture industry working in various positions. The unstable work schedule and hectic pace left him yearning to be home more doing something he could call his own. A love for photography he had since childhood led him to P.T.E.C. (Pinellas Technical Educational Center) where he completed a two year course in photography. He then interned under a Master photographer for a year obtaining more knowledge and perfecting his skill. For the past thirteen years the award winning Moorman Photographics studio has been accommodating the photography needs of many friends and business associates in the community. This studio is run by Rob and his wife, Tina, and specializes in Portraiture, Commercial, Architectural, Product, Bridal and Event. Rob is proudly a member of the Florida Professional Photographers Association, TAPPA (Tampa Area Photographers Association) and Southeastern Professional Photographers Association as well as the Saint Pete Arts Center. In his spare time Rob stays involved at his church and enjoys the Florida waters by kayaking,scuba diving and boating. His work can be seen on his web site at www.moormanphoto.com. Moorman Photographics is located at 4075 16th Street North in St. Petersburg. The studio phone

Brody Welte
Brody, an avid outdoorsman and fitness enthusiast is owner of; Kahuna Kai Paddle and Beach Shop as well as its parent company Stand Up Fitness. A part of the Sports and Recreation industry for over 10 years, Brody has worked as a Personal Trainer, Recreation Director and Adventure Guide. Stand Up Fitness was brought to life in the blue waters and tropical beaches of Kauai, Hawaii. While living on Kauai Brody was introduced to the age old Hawaiian sport – stand up paddle boarding. After discovering what an amazing workout stand up paddle boarding is, not to mention exhilarating experience, this fitness guru finally found the perfect way to get everyone and anyone involved with living a healthier lifestyle. With numerous outdoor boot camp classes, innovative Paddle Fit classes and using SUP as a personal training tool, Brody has used his innovations and skills to train clients in Hawaii, California and now Florida. Brody has also worked alongside the two water “Giants” Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama during adventure camps on the Island of Kauai.

Mike Devlin is the co-founder & past President of Paradise Coast Paddler's Club in Naples, FL - a group with 450 members (and growing!). The group has regular meetings & trips, promoting kayaking safety and sharing the sport with other enthusiasts. Mike is a history buff, including the history of kayaking. He is the President of 21st Century Kayaks LLC (http://www.21stcenturykayaks.com/).

Don McCumber is a longtime kayaker and kayak builder, who is also active with numerous kayaking organizations in SW Florida. He has many kayak-related videos on You Tube, as "Woodkayaker". He has built several wooden kayaks, including stitch & glue, and strip designs. As a kayaking history buff, he has built and designed a number of skin-on-frame kayaks. Don is the principal designer and is in charge of production at 21st Century Kayaks (http://www.21stcenturykayaks.com/).