I began paddling in 1999 after trying my brother in law’s Dagger Seeker on Thumb Lake in Northern Lower Michigan. I always loved sailing in our small family boat. My only regret was that I couldn’t be in closer contact with the water. I got hooked instantly. I first borrowed an old river runner torpedo shaped kayak from my buddy Ed Hingleberg and then later purchased a used Chinook. In 2001 I moved to the west side of the state. My paddling really took off from there and I’ve been an avid year round paddler since.

Over the last six years I’ve done several Wilderness trips on Lake Michigan:
*North and South Manitou Island including the crossing to North Manitou island.
*Day long trip of 30+ miles from Van Buren State Park to Saugatuck
*Crossed under the Mackinac Bridge
*Crossing to Bois Blanc Island
*Rounded the tip of Leelenau from Northport

On Lake Superior I’ve paddled:
*Pukaskwa National Park
*Silver Islet to Rossport along the Black Bay peninsula
*Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
*Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

In the North Atlantic I’ve paddled from Cleggan to Inishbofin and Inishturk islands and back.

I’ve also kayak surfed extensively on Lake Michigan in both long and surf dedicated craft.

Awards-I currently hold:
*BCU 4 star sea award
*Canoe safety award

I am working on my 3 star and coach two star assessments.

In 2002 I began using a traditional paddle for sea kayaking. I’ve managed 26 of the Greenland competition rolls in my Nigel Foster Silhouette. I am currently working on a forward forward hand roll with no Norsaq and an elbow roll.

I am fascinated by both white water playboating and surf kayaking. I really like moving water and I’d like to get some more opportunities to do both.

White water: Wolf River class III.

Surf San Diego Scripps and Bird rock reef breaks.