I started sea kayaking in my early twenties, following in my older brother’s footsteps.  He had been guiding sea kayaking for Coastal Kayaking in Bar Harbor.  I was pretty impressed by this job title, but at the time I couldn’t imagine that I could ever be a sea kayak guide.  With a little encouragement and gentle nudging he eventually convinced me that I should give it a try. I participated in the Maine Guide training course offered by Coastal Kayaking and proceeded to kayak the summer away. 

What called you to kayaking?  

Kayaking is such a dynamic activity with so many aspects to enjoy. When on the ocean, you never know what will pop its head out of the water.  Following the shoreline is particularly enjoyable while watching the water crash up against the rocks and looking for animals along the intertidal zone.  There is something very appealing about being able to pack everything I need in the kayak for multiple days and paddling to remote islands to camp under a starry sky. I also really enjoy all of the many aspects of kayaking that require specific knowledge in order to stay safe.  Assessing the wind, water temperature, current among other variables keeps sea kayaking interesting. There’s always more to learn in sea kayaking, which holds my interest.  

How did you learn?  

I started out learning to sea kayak by going on trips with my brother and then proceeding to participate in a Maine Guide training.  My learning progressed further when I moved to Washington State to guide in the San Juan Islands where I learned more about paddling in significant currents and frigid water temperatures.  I’ve been fortunate to work for guiding companies that offered extensive training early on in the season to prepare guides.  Now that I’m no longer guiding, I’ve been participating in kayaking classes in Maine.  Most recently, I participated in a fantastic kayaking course in Lubec offered by Pinniped Kayaking out of Ellsworth, Maine.  Continuing to take these courses that challenge me both physically and mentally inspires me to continue progressing in this sport.  

What was your very first boat?  

My first boat was a Nigel Dennis Explorer.  I now have P&H Cetus and a Nigel Dennis Romany.  I’m trying to limit it to two kayaks, but we’ll see how that goes.  

What kind of paddling do you like to do?  

Multi-day trips are my favorite.  I’ve also started to enjoy kayak surfing and I hope to do more of it.  

What were some highlights from 2022?  

I really enjoyed circumnavigating Mount Desert Island last summer.  We found some really wonderful campsites to stay on and had them all to ourselves.  While the Island was busy with summertime tourists, we were able to enjoy some solitude.  It was pretty cool to see MDI from the water as we circled it.  I also paddled with friends from Portland to Boothbay Harbor over several days.  It surprised me how close Portland is to Harpswell from the ocean.  We spotted a great white shark and a sun fish on that trip.  

What goals do you have for 2023? 

I’d really like to get to know Casco Bay better.  I’m looking forward to going on a few overnight trips nearby and possibly get back into some surf when it warms up a bit. 

What “bucket-list” kayak adventure keeps you motivated to grow and learn?  

I’d really like to go kayaking in the fjords in Norway.  

How has SMSKN been part of your journey?  

I consider myself to be pretty new to SMSKN.  I joined about a year before the pandemic started.  I’ve gone on several sea kayaking trips hosted by SMSKN and I’ve always had a good time. I look forward to participating in more trips in the future.  

What advice would you have for someone just starting out in the sport or looking to expand their kayaking world?  

Joining SMSKN is a great place to learn and grow as a paddler.  The classes offered through SMSKN seem like such a perfect way to get more comfortable in the water and to build kayaking skills.  It’s also such a good way to meet other folks in the paddling community.  I also found guiding to be a particularly good way of building skill and confidence on the water.  I also encourage folks to seek out sea kayaking courses offered by the many coaches in Maine.  Sea kayaking has brought me so much joy over the years and I encourage anyone interested in pursuing it to go for it. 

What called you to kayaking?  

Kayaking is such a dynamic activity with so many aspects to enjoy. When on the ocean, you never know what will pop its head out of the water.  Following the shoreline is particularly enjoyable while watching the water crash up against the rocks and looking for animals along the intertidal zone.  There is something very appealing about being able to pack everything I need in the kayak for multiple days and paddling to remote islands to camp under a starry sky. I also really enjoy all of the many aspects of kayaking that require specific knowledge in order to stay safe.  Assessing the wind, water temperature, current among other variables keeps sea kayaking interesting. There’s always more to learn in sea kayaking, which holds my interest.  

How did you learn?  

I started out learning to sea kayak by going on trips with my brother and then proceeding to participate in a Maine Guide training.  My learning progressed further when I moved to Washington State to guide in the San Juan Islands where I learned more about paddling in significant currents and frigid water temperatures.  I’ve been fortunate to work for guiding companies that offered extensive training early on in the season to prepare guides.  Now that I’m no longer guiding, I’ve been participating in kayaking classes in Maine.  Most recently, I participated in a fantastic kayaking course in Lubec offered by Pinniped Kayaking out of Ellsworth, Maine.  Continuing to take these courses that challenge me both physically and mentally inspires me to continue progressing in this sport.  

What was your very first boat?  

My first boat was a Nigel Dennis Explorer.  I now have P&H Cetus and a Nigel Dennis Romany.  I’m trying to limit it to two kayaks, but we’ll see how that goes.  

What kind of paddling do you like to do?  

Multi-day trips are my favorite.  I’ve also started to enjoy kayak surfing and I hope to do more of it.  

What were some highlights from 2022?  

I really enjoyed circumnavigating Mount Desert Island last summer.  We found some really wonderful campsites to stay on and had them all to ourselves.  While the Island was busy with summertime tourists, we were able to enjoy some solitude.  It was pretty cool to see MDI from the water as we circled it.  I also paddled with friends from Portland to Boothbay Harbor over several days.  It surprised me how close Portland is to Harpswell from the ocean.  We spotted a great white shark and a sun fish on that trip.  

 What goals do you have for 2023? 

I’d really like to get to know Casco Bay better.  I’m looking forward to going on a few overnight trips nearby and possibly get back into some surf when it warms up a bit. 

What “bucket-list” kayak adventure keeps you motivated to grow and learn?  

I’d really like to go kayaking in the fjords in Norway.  

How has SMSKN been part of your journey?  

I consider myself to be pretty new to SMSKN.  I joined about a year before the pandemic started.  I’ve gone on several sea kayaking trips hosted by SMSKN and I’ve always had a good time. I look forward to participating in more trips in the future.  

What advice would you have for someone just starting out in the sport or looking to expand their kayaking world?  

Joining SMSKN is a great place to learn and grow as a paddler.  The classes offered through SMSKN seem like such a perfect way to get more comfortable in the water and to build kayaking skills.  It’s also such a good way to meet other folks in the paddling community.  I also found guiding to be a particularly good way of building skill and confidence on the water.  I also encourage folks to seek out sea kayaking courses offered by the many coaches in Maine.  Sea kayaking has brought me so much joy over the years and I encourage anyone interested in pursuing it to go for it.