TRAK Pilot Ambassadors

James is an ACA L3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor and ACA L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking assessed paddler. James has worked as an instructor for over 25 years in various outdoor recreational sports including Rock Climbing, Caving, Wilderness Survival and as a High Ropes Course facilitator. He is dedicated to the learning experience and enjoys teaching and sharing knowledge.

I am an avid paddler from Victoria, BC and try to get out on the water as often as possible. I am a SKGABC level 2 sea kayak guide and a founding director and current president of SISKA, Victoria’s sea kayaking club. I like to paddle everything from flatwater to tideraces, surf and rock gardens, and the TRAK does all of these! When I travel, my TRAK allows me to paddle in places that would otherwise be off limits,  and to paddle a kayak that performs!

I first learned about TRAK kayaks while working as a sea kayak guide in Australia, and immediately loved the idea of being able to pack up my gear and take it to places around the world. Being an avid traveler and having lived in 16 cities around the world, the highlight of my life so far has to be paddling and guiding groups around the Whitsunday Islands and fjords of New Zealand.

For the last 20 years, in some form or another, I have dedicated a good portion of my time to getting people outdoors. Early on I ran a college outdoor program providing services to a 5,000+ student population and trained as a Wilderness EMT. More recently, my passion to help others in their exploration of the natural world has led me to serve as a board member with Bay Area Wilderness Training, an organization that provides a full range of outdoor gear to low-income youth and wilderness training to their teachers. I find TRAK Kayaks liberating: Combining sea kayaking's freedom to paddle whatever route you choose with TRAK's ability to paddle wherever you may be. The TRAK 2.0 is quite simply an engineering marvel and I’m always eager to schedule a product demonstration or lead a Discovery Day. When I’m not paddling my TRAK, engaged in other waterbound play, or otherwise exploring by foot or wheel, I practice environmental law as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice.

Sascha comes from a heritage of folding kayaks and paddling in Germany and in family lineage. His grandparents paddled folding kayaks in the 1930’s, and his father was also an avid paddler. Being drawn to skin-on-frame kayaks and the intuitive feel on the water, Sascha owned another brand of folding kayak several years ago, but sold it as his lifestyle changed and he started to work as business trainer and coach. Recently, he got the idea to combine his ever so fresh passion for kayaking with his profession – taking his coachees out on kayaking trips to experience the soothing effect of paddling and to learn new communication skills at the same time.

JP and Irene discovered their love of kayaking in 2013 after a few casual paddling sessions and immediately began assembling their kayak fleet. TRAK owners since 2016, JP and Irene appreciate the unique opportunity that kayaking has provided to see things different. They are frequent explorers of the Rideau Canal system which links Ottawa to Kingston, and enjoy adventures in the extensive system of locks, lakes, and rivers which make up the canal and are eager to see more of Canada’s vast waterways. Follow their photo blog, Xplordinary, on social media to see footage of their extraordinary adventures!

I have been kayaking for over 30 years, and an ACA Level 4 sea kayak instructor for the past 16 years, with a traditional/Greenland endorsement. I share my passion of kayaking by teaching others at numerous kayaking symposiums, both modern and traditional, in the Midwest.  Another way of sharing the kayak experience has been guiding trips on Lake Superior in the Apostles Islands.  Getting kayaks to fit the paddler or vice versa has also become a point of focus to realize the full potential from your skills and kayak.