Keith Miller, owner of California Canoe and Kayak began paddling in the mid 70’s and soon became hooked by all aspects of paddlesports. Early on in his career he became a canoe instructor trainer for the Red Cross and in the 80’s became a canoe & kayak Keith became so enthusiastic with the sport that he left his banking job to operate a paddlesport business from his home until the developing market could support a retail store. California Canoe & Kayak has had several homes before settling into it’s home here at Jack London Square, where the company has been the last 17 years. Jack London Square is an ideal location for classes, boat rentals, and boat demos with easy access to the water from the public dock.

Tammy was introduced to the world of whitewater rafting by a co-worker in the late 80s. At the time a single mom with her summers open Tammy spent Summers learning the ins and outs of Rafting and join a rafting Co-op CFF. After attending a weeklong guideschool on the South Fork of the American.

Tom has been teaching on and off for CCK since 1994. He started paddling in 1985 and shortly after moving to California in 1992 started teaching for UCSF’s Outdoors Unlimited. There he met his wife, a student in one of his classes, and soon they began teaching together. His enthusiasm for the sport led to the encouragement by the CCK owner to become a certified instructor. Since his first days teaching he has taken instructor training from some of the best and most respected paddlers and instructors in the world. He has combined this knowledge to create an atmosphere where much of the guess work is easily removed from the student. Tom can often be found paddling the spectacular rivers of California and around the world and has several major first descents to his name. Tom’s wealth of knowledge, experience, strength, patience and calm nature quickly make the students feel at ease, gain confidence and truly have a great time.

“Paddling is a journey, not a destination”. - Kenny Howell Kenny’s journey into the universe of paddling began in 1978 on San Francisco Bay, and the journey continues ever further and farther. From Costa Rica to Alaska, from the Hawaiian Islands to Florida’s Gulf coast, he keeps searching for the “perfect paddle day”! “Sometimes, the perfect day is racing across the Molokai Channel on my surfski with 100 other athletes. Another day, it’s messing around on Stand Up Paddleboards with my kids on an alpine lake in the Sierra Nevada.” For over 10 years, Kenny wandered the wilderness of the American West and Baja California guiding sea kayak and whitewater raft trips. “Baja’s Sea of Cortez was my home away from home for many winters. By each spring though, I couldn’t wait to head north and hit the rivers. All summer we traveled from amazing river to river, guiding in Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. I've paddled on about 25 whitewater rivers, including the Colorado in the Grand Canyon – which was like a trip to Mecca for a river boater. Paddling is for life. The more I paddle, the more enjoyment I get out of it.” In 1996, with his first child on the way, Kenny realized he needed a “real job”, and lucked out with California Canoe & Kayak as the Program Director. “Now, instead of traveling in the “circus”, the circus comes to me! Seriously, this has been my dream job, to run the finest paddling school in the West. There is no greater pleasure in life than turning people on to paddling. We literally change people’s lives by introducing them to a beautiful, healthy, adventurous sport. We help build community through our programs. I am so proud of our instructor staff. Many of our instructors took their first strokes with us as students, and now have reached the heights of professionalism as a CCK instructor! There are a lot of places to go kayaking, but if you really want to LEARN to kayak, come to California Canoe & Kayak.” When not scheduling the large crew of instructors for the busy CCK schedule of classes and trips across northern California, or gearing up for his “favorite trip” with a group of high school students, Kenny can be seen training hard for the next paddle race on his beloved Epic surfski. “The surfski is an exciting, demanding craft. For me, it’s the pinnacle of the ocean paddling experience. It keeps you in great shape. I love chasing ocean swells, the camaraderie of the racing community, and it's another great excuse to get on the water!” “The kayak may be the most perfect boat ever conceived by man. You wear it like an extension of your body. It protects you from the elements. You can dance on the water in a kayak, gliding almost effortlessly through fantastic seascapes. You can explore big lakes, wild rivers, or surf big breaking waves. And the coolest thing about it, the kayak is a palindrome – it’s spelled the same backwards or forwards!” Kenny lives in Montara, near CCK’s Pillar Point Harbor shop, with a view of the Farallone Islands. He only paddles on days ending in “y”, but loves surfing with his wife and two children.

Greg Meyer has been a naturalist and kayak trip leader since 1985, with extensive experience in the outdoors, from Alaska to Antarctica. His special interests are the biology of birds and mammals, and the natural history of the American West. An enthusiastic kayaker, he is an Instructor Trainer for the American Canoe Association. Greg's trips to Elkhorn Slough in Monterey Bay, and the Black Canyon in Arizona are great for novices or experts.

Raised in the land-locked Midwest, Marcé Wise ran away to sea more than fifteen years ago, and found her true home. Now an Advanced Open Water Instructor Trainer Educator for the ACA, Marcé has owned her own kayak school, trained Eco-Challenge teams, organized expeditions in Baja and British Columbia, and has been on the California Canoe & Kayak instructor team for eight years. Marcé is tough to miss on the water, with her sunny smile, pink dry-top, purple kayak and matching fingernails. Don’t let the "glam" look fool you though – her "most favorite thing" to do is spend the day in the exposed rock gardens off the California coast, dancing and soaring through the salty spray.

Ben started paddling canoes with his grandfather on fishing trips. He enjoys river and sea kayaking as well as stand-up paddle boarding. Ben has been employed with CCK on and off since 200l. He has managed and taught the roll class for two years. In addition, he has competed in casual sea kayak races for two years. He's surfed at Santa Cruz, Bolinas, Montara, and Pacifica. Ben has paddled numerous places including Lake Tahoe, Tomales Bay, Mokelumne River, Eel River, American River, Merced River, Mark West Creek, Marin Headlands, and Sea of Cortez in Baja.

Tyler has been working for CCK since 2004 when he was but a wee lad of 16 years. His primary focus in the kayaking world is pushing his personal limits on California's epic whitewater rivers. Tyler has only been kayaking since 2003, but with through the mentoring of some of the whitewater kayaking's top paddlers; Tyler has been able to progress very rapidly to become a great paddler in his own right. Tyler is a semi-pro athlete who enjoys official sponsorship from one of the worlds best helmet makers "Sweet" as well as being selected to be a sponsored pro-paddler for the legendary Pyranha kayak brand. When not helping to create paddlers either in the shop or teaching on the river, Tyler can be spotted shralping local play waves or boofing big drops on Sierra creeks. He is also helping to pioneer new avenues for Stand Up Paddling by thrice taking an iflatable SUP down the Class III+ South Fork Gorge. Other times you will find him attending class full- time @ Sac State, working as a Volunteer Fire Fighter for El Dorado County or shredding Nor-Cals hollowed ski slopes. Certifications: > EMT-1 Kayaking Events: > Brush Creek Race, 2008, "Best Carnage Award" > Cherry Creek Race, 2008 > Tobin Race, 2008 > Reno River Festival Competition, 2005, 06, 08, 09 > Collegiate Nationals, 2007 >American River Festival, 2008 Skiing Events: > Buckle Up Big Air Competition, 2007, "Best Crash Award" > USASA National Championships, 2007, 1st place SlopeStyle, 1st place HalfPipe, 1st place OverAll. > Colligiate Nationals, 2007, 6th place SlopeStyle > Newschoolers.com West Coast Session Invitational, 2007 > Silver Belt Bonzi, 2009 > North American Freeskiing Championships, 2009

Bob and Fran started out in kayaking just like many of you out in cyberspace; without a clue! Fast forward several years, Bob and Fran are exemplary stuards of the sport of kayaking.

Lai has been working at CCK since the summer of '04. His interests include whitewater kayaking, rafting, sea kayking, and kayak fishing. Lai prides himself as an avid outdoors man. Lai's knowledge of all things kayak and canoe related makes him an integral part of CCK's retail team. Lai claims that any one looking for him on a summer day need look no further then the South Fork of the American river.

Charles started paddling sea kayaks in 1996 when he moved to San Francisco and decided that he needed to do something with all this water. One thing led to another and he eventually obtained ACA certification as a Coastal Kayak instructor as well as a British Canoe Union 4-star paddler award. Charles started teaching for CCK in 2005 and has taught all the classes offered except rolling.

Matt has been whitewater kayaking for ten years and loves his time on the river. His favorite river is the Upper Animas near Silverton, Colorado. He has traveled to Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador to explore the whitewater gems there. Matt recently moved from Colorado to Oakland to continue his music career and explore the rivers of California. Matt is a certified ACA whitewater instructor and loves teaching kayaking.

Bryant is an avid kayaker. His paddling journey began a decade ago paddling the swells off Catalina Island in Southern California. He is an ACA certified Instructor Trainer in both Coastal Kayaking and Advanced Whitewater. Bryant’s paddling career includes former head instructor for the UCLA Marina Aquatic Center. In 2006 he captained the U.S. National Kayak Polo Team at the World Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He was California Canoe & Kayak’s Whitewater Program Director in 2007 & 2008. Bryant continues to remain involved as an Instructor for CCK in both our Whitewater and Sea Kayaking program. Currently Bryant is on a paddling Odyssey exploring the all the variety that paddlesports and the state of California has to offer. (We are all a bit envious) Bryant has put his paddling adventures and experience on film and has created a DVD Paddle California. This is the first of a series. You can follow his adventures at paddlecalifornia.blogspot.com Certifications: ACA Coastal Kayak, ACA Adv. Whitewater, ACA Swiftwater, Rescue 3 WRT, Wilderness First Responder

Our Sacramento Store Manager has been paddling since he was 9 years old. Jeff spent his early years paddling open canoes and sailing Lasers with the Boy Scouts all over Northern California. After H.S. Jeff joined the U.S. Air Force and while serving at Vandenberg AFB (located on the beautiful Central Coast near Santa Barbara) Jeff helped develop and start a White Water Rafting Team for the base recreation program. Jeff became the lead guide and program manager for the new Whitewater Rafting Program at Vandenberg AFB and subsequently spent summers teaching week-long guide schools and running trips on the Class IV and V sections of the Kern River in Souther California. Jeff was also instrumental in bringing other paddler sports to the base program as well by procuring boats to leading sea kayak excursions on San Luis and Morro Bays. In 2005, after almost 10 years in the USAF, Jeff left his military days behind and came to work for CCK to pursue a job that was more in line with his life philosophy of "do what you love". After his 1st summer in the Sac store in 2005, Jeff moved to San Diego and took up surfing and furthered his sea kayak experience on the beautiful and mild San Diego coast. He earned a Bareboat Charter Captain Certificate in the British Virgin Islands in 2006 and got SCUBA certified. Jeff's dream is to one day sail around the world and kayak in as many places as possible. When not helping customer at the CCK Shop in Rancho Cordova, Jeff can be seen paddling the local waters on the American River and San Francisco Bay; as well as SCUBA diving in Monterey or Skiing @ Kirkwood in Tahoe. What is Jeff's favorite part of the job? "Seeing people's eyes light up when they discover the pure joy of kayaking for the first time!; I love helping people invest in themselves!" Certifications: PADI Certified Open Water Diver ASA Bareboat Charter Captain ARC Wilderness First Responder ARC Swiftwater Rescue

Lisa discovered kayaking in 1997 through an introduction to camping by kayak seminar. After finding out what a sea kayak was, she set out to find the right boat for longer trips and camping – and ended up building her own. Her first trip was an unsupported 10-day trip on west coast Vancouver Island with five men she'd never met. Since her first trip, she has week-long trips to the coast of Maine, Belize, Vancouver Island, and frequent shorter trips along the California Coast. Lisa frequently plies the waters of San Francisco bay, the northern California coast, and the Sierra Lakes and still prefers a night in a tent alongside the water to any night in a five star hotel. Lisa mixes her culinary skills with her planning skills to keep her fellow paddlers fed on longer trips.

When she isn't kayaking, Lisa is a Structural Engineer. Lisa loves to introduce new students to kayaking and getting to places by water while sightseeing by kayak. When the water isn't freezing, she'll do a little whitewater on the side.

Dave is a lifelong paddlesports enthusiast. Dave grew up paddling the rivers of Virginia in the summer time. These days Dave can be found at CCK's Sacramento Store helping paddlers choose the best gear for their own adventures. When not working in the shop Dave enjoys all aspects of kayaking. Well on his way to becomming a very well rounded paddler, Dave can be seen mid-week paddling the South Fork of the American River or out on San Francisco Bay somewhre between Alcatraz and Angel Island or just practicing his roll at the Sunday pool sessions. Dave is also a student of traditional paddling and boat building and has completed work on his second home-made boat: a very seaworthy Innuit design skin-on-frame.

Taylor Cavin has been paddling canoes since childhood and kayaks from his mid-adolescence to the late adolescence in which he currently resides. The switch to the kayak as craft of choice was made in 2002 once he realized its superior resistance to filling up with water. Having learned to kayak on the wild, rolling streams of the Southeast US, in 2007 Taylor moved to the climes of California to teach for CCK and enjoy the vast reserves of nature's most precious resource: granite. He has also kayaked in six countries discovering that kayaks are as ungainly out of the water as they are elegant in the water, but finding that the hassle is well worth the opportunity to evangelize about the kayak along the way. Taylor is certified in First Aid and CPR.

By day, a kayaker. By night, a gentleman. Byron is one of the finest employees at California Canoe & Kayak. Byron has been a team player at CCK for three years. He shares his kayaking expertise at our Oakland and Rancho Cordova locations on the sales floor and enjoys helping customers with questions about all kayak gear. This summer, you'll find him spending his weekends at the new CCK whitewater outpost in Coloma.

As a transplant from the East Coast over 10 years ago, Neil quickly developed a great appreciation of Northern California's waterways. Taking his first kayaking courses in 2006, he has strived to expand his skills and knowledge of kayaking ever since. During that time, he's paddled many miles, from local lakes, to white water, to the surf and swells of the ocean. Perhaps his favorite thing about kayaking is the great variety of experiences it presents.

Neil is an ACA Trained Coastal Kayaking Instructor, and began teaching Sea Kayaking for California Canoe and Kayak in 2008. He looks forward to meeting you on the water.

As the Graphic Design/Marketing Assistant at CCK Andrea is able to combine two of her passions, art and the outdoors. Graduating Cum Laude in 2002 from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Media Arts. She majored in Photography and minored in Graphic Design and Psychology. Currently she is continuing her education by pursuing a Masters Degree in Art Therapy at NDNU. Andrea brings a combination of her education and six years experience in advertising and marketing to CCK. She worked for corporate companies as a graphic designer and photographer and has done multiple freelance projects. By using her graphic skills to maintain purepaddlesports.com she keeps customers aware of current sales and new products available online. You may speak to her if you call the 800 number and have questions or need assistance reserving your spot in one of the many classes or trips CCK offers. Andrea represents the average outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys doing anything outside, including hiking, skiing, or mountain biking. She has spent time on the water canoeing in Pennsylvania and wake boarding in Maryland. Andrea proves to be surprisingly athletic time and time again. Learning the ins and outs of kayaking in California is her latest adventure. Among the multiple rewards, kayaking is an opportunity for Andrea to soak up sunshine and relax on the water while getting an excellent workout.

Peter recently joined the CCK ranks and has been kayaking for about two and a half years. He discovered the joy of paddling first through kayak polo, but also loves being on the river and ocean. Peter recently made the US National Kayak Polo team and will be traveling to Milan, Italy this summer for the World Championships.

Andrew fell in love with kayaking. He built his own sea kayak and mastered the eskimo roll . Andrew is always up for a new adventure and is willing to explore anywhere there's water! At the CCK Oakland shop, you'll most likely see Andrew close to the water helping with kayak rentals on the dock.

Kevin was introduced to paddle sports during a two week Outward Bound kayaking expedition to the San Juan islands. In addition to his trip there, Kevin has paddled in various locations throughout the San Francisco bay, High Sierra lakes, and the Broadway Plaza fountain in Walnut Creek.