I bought my very first sea kayak in 1998, a 55 pound, plastic P & H Capella, from Sakonnet Boat House. I remember one of the first paddles with my neighbor, Ed Burkhardt who had purchased his sea kayak just weeks before. We launched at McCorrie Beach, just minutes from our houses and where I am still launching from today, except in surf skis. That maiden paddle was scary for a number of reasons, all of which can be categorized as I knew nothing about kayaking except it looked fun in the magazines. After attempting to get off the shore with a strong onshore wind, I regrouped and tried it a third time. After I got off the beach and paddled only 20 yards out, I paddled back in. I needed to calm my anxiety! Ed and I then proceeded 1.5 mile down to Sandy Point Beach hoping we did not capsize. We had no clue how to reenter our boats if this happened. Like many first time kayakers, we were clueless about water safety but like many of us reading this, you have to start somewhere and this was my start. After about six months of paddling, I decided to take a lesson at the Kayak Centre in Wickford, Rhode Island. I went on to become certified as a BCU Level 3 and took the BCU Level 4 training though never took the certification for that level. I also later got my ACA Coastal Kayaking Certification and worked very part time as an instructor at the local kayak shops. During one of the early lessons at the Kayak Centre, I met a fellow paddler Greg Paquin from Connecticut. I can remember distinctly each of us presenting a topic to a group of paddlers and being critiqued on the subject matter and our presentation skills.
While I started racing sea kayaks, then later got into surf skis, and in 2009 along with Chris Chappell started this site initially to sell my “Surf ski Basics” DVD, Greg pursued the coaching route by becoming a BCU Level 4 Coach and BCU Level 5 paddler and in 2005 started his company www.kayakwaveology.com. Greg and I paddled together years ago along Ocean Drive in Newport with another local sea kayaker. My sea kayak training helped me immensely in my surf ski training. I often think it would be good to participate in more of this training since the upper levels focus more on group leadership and judgement skills.
The video below is Greg leading a group of paddlers to play in the local tidal race on Fisher’s Sound in Connecticutt. My last time out here was with fellow surf ski paddler Ken Cooper many years ago while both of us still had our sea kayaks. In the video I recognize many local instructors like Carl Ladd, Carl T, and Dave Granger(surf ski paddler). Dave can be seen briefly in his surf ski in the video. I hope to join Greg at this event in October!
Below is an interview from “Atlantic Coastal Kayaker” Magazine in Sept 12, 2013 about Greg’s long career paddling and coaching. Paddlers at Greg’s level are some of the best paddlers and instructors in the world.
1) How did you get started kayaking?
I got started with sea kayaking back in 1989. I Had always been a canoeist
growing up with Maine hunting guides as my uncles. So when I got out of
Civil Engineering school in 1989, I needed something to keep me busy in CT,
since I could not run off to the mountains climbing as much I used to with
my Civil Engineering constructor career. So I headed out to the ocean, as
the ocean seemed to be very complex, similar to the high mountains.
2) Who taught you the most, or was your greatest mentor?
I’ve had a few very key mentors in my paddling career so far. Each has had
their importance in personal skill development, coaching opportunities /
guidance, and business development. The one mentor who has stood out the
most, I would have to say, that would be Nigel Dennis. Nigel has helped me
grow the most as an International sea kayaking BCU coach and Expedition
guide.
Anglesey, UK, Plum Island
3) Tell us about Kayak Waveology.
When I started teaching sea kayaking personal skills and judgment 10 years
ago in RI, after a few years I saw a lot of clients hitting the wall with
nowhere else to go for a higher level of paddle sport instruction in
Southern New England. That is the motive behind creating Kayak Waveology,
with the tag line of “For Those Looking To Do More”. Since, we have in
Eastern Ct and Ri a large amount of tide / current flow and some very good
shore break surfing beaches, and some fantastic rock hopping. With these
venues, all with good regularity, I thought it was time to start my own
thing.
Greg(white helmet) and one of the many training groups he has led all over the world.
4) What is your own background in kayaking certification/teaching and
where do you hope to go with that next?
Well, I have gone as far I can with the ACA system as a Level 5 Advance Open
Water Instructor. But, from the beginning I was definitely attracted more
to the BCU international system, where I currently hold the BCU 5 Star Sea
award, “Old” Coach 4, and now a BCU 4 Star Assessor.
My next move is to continue to advance internationally with the BCU system,
working towards the new UKCC Coach 3 and becoming a BCU 5 Star Assessor,
Along with the growth in running international expeditions.
5) How did the idea of the Gales get started?
The Autumn Gales got started 5 years ago, as I felt the sea kayaking
community was starved for an event that met the needs of the more advanced
sea kayaker. There were a few symposiums around that worked on the beginner
and intermediate paddlers, which we were a big part of. So, as I mentioned
earlier, we have some very real conditions regularly down here. Like a lot
of Tide Races and Over falls, which are a great training ground to get the
BCU 5 Star aspirants ready to head to N. Wales.
6) Do you think there is still a lot of demand in the US for BCU
training? If so, why?
I think there is a growing demand for the BCU system in North America and
worldwide. As there certainly have been pockets of BCU coaches around North
America working the BCU system and delivering a sound and demanding product,
while keeping paddlers challenged. I see this being discovered more and
more, as I travel around delivering coaching programs. With the North East
being one of larger pockets of BCU Coaches, the system, seems to thrive
here. This probably has a lot to do with the Administration of the BCUNA
system running out of New York.
Paddlers have ask to be identified at a level of proficiency, and the BCU
system truly does just that, with the Training and Assessment process in the
Star system and within the Coaching scheme. That was the main draw for me
over the years. For example, there was a time I tried running the ACA skills courses and
never got enough interest in their training and assessment of skills to keep
it going. It’s not until the ACA makes their skills assessments a
prerequisites for the ACA instructor awards, that these skill assessments
will be recognized in the paddling community. Nobody says, I’m an ACA level
4 paddler when they show up for a course or a club paddle. But when someone
say’s, I’m a BCU 4 Star paddler, coaches and other group paddlers know what
that skill level indentifies, and that is big safety awareness tool for all.
So I’m all for keeping BCU wave flowing.
7) Where do you most like to paddle?
For me, it is a dynamic wild environment. “It’s one thing to really know
your home waters, and know where to go and where not to go, and when, but
then you go there any ways.”
The challenge for me has been exploring other ocean systems around the world
safely. I truly enjoy the Canadian Maritimes, the Irish Sea, the Western
Isle’s of Scotland, the Mediterranean Sea, and cannot forget the Pacific
North West. Having the skills and knowledge and willingness to explore,
that is what being a BCU 5 Star Leader has really taught me.
Anglesey, UK, Advance sea kayak training
8) Who do you like to paddle with?
When I can paddle for myself, I like to have equally skilled paddling
partners to share the fun. However, I do have a passion to help paddlers
grow into safer, more skillful, and more knowledgeable sea kayakers. That
is what being a coach is all about, to help others along the way.
9) Boat and paddle you use?
I use NDK (SKUK) kayaks and Celtic paddles for all that I do. I like the
Explorer in big seas and Tide Races, and Romany Surf for rock hopping and
surfing.
10) What is some of the best rough water equipment you use and would
recommend to others?
We use the gear we sell. We have used and tested the following gear that we
trust our lives with, for boats we use NDK (SKUK), paddles Celtic and
Lendal, tow lines and pfd’s by Peak UK and REED, 3 season vapor barrier
clothing by REED Chill Cheater, for colder paddling months we return back to
the Kokatat dry suits.
Greg in tidal race off coast of Connecticut.
The Autumn Gales 2014 event is October 12-14. Location is in Fishers Island Sound in Eastern Ct. For reservations head to the web site www.autumngales.com or www.kayakwaveology.com or just give Greg at Kayak Waveology a call at 860-304-4000 or email at coach@kayakwaveology.com
Greg at Angelsey, UK
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