Here are the coaches and guides from the 2020 event. For the 2021 event, we are also hoping our friends from across the pond and elsewhere are able to join us again.
Greg Paquin
British Canoeing L3 Performance Coach, Advanced Water Coach, Sea Kayak Leader Award Provider,
BCU 5*, British Canoeing Guide, ACA Level 5 Instructor
Owner of Kayak Waveology, Greg’s been teaching sea kayaking for over 14 years. Known for his calm and patient manner, Greg has a way of challenging people to do things they didn’t think they could do. And that goes for telemark skiing too where Greg is a PSIA level III instructor and on the DCL Eduction Staff. For tide race and surf training in Southern New England, Greg is the premier instructor in the area.
British Canoeing L3 Performance Coach, Advanced Water Coach, Sea Kayak Leader Award Provider,
BCU 5*, British Canoeing Guide, ACA Level 5 Instructor
Owner of Kayak Waveology, Greg’s been teaching sea kayaking for over 14 years. Known for his calm and patient manner, Greg has a way of challenging people to do things they didn’t think they could do. And that goes for telemark skiing too where Greg is a PSIA level III instructor and on the DCL Eduction Staff. For tide race and surf training in Southern New England, Greg is the premier instructor in the area.
Charles "Chip" Sinclair
British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader; ACA L4 Coastal Instructor, Rough Water Guide
Chip is the true definition of "local" having grown up on Fishers Island. Having been on these waters since he was a young lad, Chip considers these waters home and is intimately familiar with their intricacies. Over the past few years, he has been working along a coaching and guiding track with Kayak Waveology as a long term student. A familiar face to many, Chip has joined us on many classes and adventures here and abroad including Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Canada.
British Canoeing Advanced Sea Kayak Leader; ACA L4 Coastal Instructor, Rough Water Guide
Chip is the true definition of "local" having grown up on Fishers Island. Having been on these waters since he was a young lad, Chip considers these waters home and is intimately familiar with their intricacies. Over the past few years, he has been working along a coaching and guiding track with Kayak Waveology as a long term student. A familiar face to many, Chip has joined us on many classes and adventures here and abroad including Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Canada.
James Kennedy
BCU 4*, Local Rough Water Guide
James Kennedy started paddling in 1982 around Mt Desert Island and the coast of Maine and many years White Water kayaking on the Ocoee and Nantahala rivers. Paddled around the Gulf Islands in Washington state. Worked as a Kayak guide and paddled extensively around Kodak island. Worked as a kayak guide in Florida for a summer. Paddled solo around Norway's Lufoten Islands at 68 and 69th parallel North of the arctic circle. Kayaked in Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island. Raced sailboats professionally out of Marblehead mass. Crossed the Atlantic in a singlehanded BOC race sailboat. Extensive navigation experience in sailing. He also holds a Master of Science in Physical therapy and Doctorate in Sports medicine concentration in shoulder and neck injuries.
BCU 4*, Local Rough Water Guide
James Kennedy started paddling in 1982 around Mt Desert Island and the coast of Maine and many years White Water kayaking on the Ocoee and Nantahala rivers. Paddled around the Gulf Islands in Washington state. Worked as a Kayak guide and paddled extensively around Kodak island. Worked as a kayak guide in Florida for a summer. Paddled solo around Norway's Lufoten Islands at 68 and 69th parallel North of the arctic circle. Kayaked in Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island. Raced sailboats professionally out of Marblehead mass. Crossed the Atlantic in a singlehanded BOC race sailboat. Extensive navigation experience in sailing. He also holds a Master of Science in Physical therapy and Doctorate in Sports medicine concentration in shoulder and neck injuries.
Ron Gautreau
ACA L5 Advanced Open Water Instructor, BCU 4*, Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Aspirant, Registered Maine Guide, Solo WFA
Ron has been messing around with all kinds of boats his whole life and spends a lot of time just watching animals move through the aquatic environment. Ron has been sea kayaking for 19 years and enjoys playing in the moving waters and tidal races around Fishers Island in Eastern Long Island Sound. Ron has paddled all along the east coast of the US from Florida to the Canadian Maritimes, Anglesey Wales, and New Zealand. Ron is a freelance sea kayak instructor and has taught at many of the kayaking symposiums in the Northeast. Ron happily seeks out on water pursuits in any type of craft whether it be open canoe, surf ski, powerboat or his Sabre 30 sailboat. He is also working as a commercial fisherman in the Thimble Islands in Branford, CT on an ocean farm growing kelp, oysters, mussels and scallops.
ACA L5 Advanced Open Water Instructor, BCU 4*, Advanced Sea Kayak Leader Aspirant, Registered Maine Guide, Solo WFA
Ron has been messing around with all kinds of boats his whole life and spends a lot of time just watching animals move through the aquatic environment. Ron has been sea kayaking for 19 years and enjoys playing in the moving waters and tidal races around Fishers Island in Eastern Long Island Sound. Ron has paddled all along the east coast of the US from Florida to the Canadian Maritimes, Anglesey Wales, and New Zealand. Ron is a freelance sea kayak instructor and has taught at many of the kayaking symposiums in the Northeast. Ron happily seeks out on water pursuits in any type of craft whether it be open canoe, surf ski, powerboat or his Sabre 30 sailboat. He is also working as a commercial fisherman in the Thimble Islands in Branford, CT on an ocean farm growing kelp, oysters, mussels and scallops.
Caroline Zeiss
BCU 5* Leader, Local Rough Water Guide
Caroline Zeiss is interested in teaching technical aspects of boat control that are effective in rough water conditions. Caroline is a small craft omnivore and enjoys cross-training between sea kayaks, surf boats, surfskis, river kayaks, canoes and Laser sailing dinghies. Her home waters are Long Island Sound and Rhode Island, where she paddles tidal races, rocks and surf. She has paddled all along the east coast of the US, Wales, Norway and New Zealand. Caroline is a freelance sea kayak instructor and has taught at many of the kayaking symposiums in the northeast. She holds a BCU 5 Star Leader Award. She also runs an annual Adirondack canoe retreat with the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mount Tremper, New York. Caroline is SOLO Wilderness First Aid trained.
BCU 5* Leader, Local Rough Water Guide
Caroline Zeiss is interested in teaching technical aspects of boat control that are effective in rough water conditions. Caroline is a small craft omnivore and enjoys cross-training between sea kayaks, surf boats, surfskis, river kayaks, canoes and Laser sailing dinghies. Her home waters are Long Island Sound and Rhode Island, where she paddles tidal races, rocks and surf. She has paddled all along the east coast of the US, Wales, Norway and New Zealand. Caroline is a freelance sea kayak instructor and has taught at many of the kayaking symposiums in the northeast. She holds a BCU 5 Star Leader Award. She also runs an annual Adirondack canoe retreat with the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mount Tremper, New York. Caroline is SOLO Wilderness First Aid trained.
Brenda Rashleigh
British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader, BC Level 2 Coach, ACA Level 3 Instructor
Brenda hails from Kingston, Rhode Island. She has paddled extensively throughout New England, in the southeast US, Mexico, Canada, and Wales, and joined expeditions in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and Lofoten Islands in Norway. (photo credit: Jon Sharlin)
British Canoeing Sea Kayak Leader, BC Level 2 Coach, ACA Level 3 Instructor
Brenda hails from Kingston, Rhode Island. She has paddled extensively throughout New England, in the southeast US, Mexico, Canada, and Wales, and joined expeditions in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and Lofoten Islands in Norway. (photo credit: Jon Sharlin)
Tim Gleason
British Canoeing 5* Sea Leader, BC Sea Kayak Coach, ACA Level 3 Instructor
Tim has been sea kayaking for over 10 years and has been in, on, or around the ocean for much of his life. He is a marine scientist who grew up in Gloucester, MA and now resides in Kingston, RI. Tim primarily paddles and leads trips with the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA) throughout New England, but has also kayaked in Mexico and Wales and led expeditions in Canada, the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and the Lofoten Islands in Norway. Tim is a BC 5* Sea Leader and Sea Kayak Coach, as well as an ACA Level 3 Instructor. He enjoys rocky coastlines and dynamic environments and is committed to making paddling enjoyable, efficient, and safe. (photo credit: Jon Sharlin)
British Canoeing 5* Sea Leader, BC Sea Kayak Coach, ACA Level 3 Instructor
Tim has been sea kayaking for over 10 years and has been in, on, or around the ocean for much of his life. He is a marine scientist who grew up in Gloucester, MA and now resides in Kingston, RI. Tim primarily paddles and leads trips with the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA) throughout New England, but has also kayaked in Mexico and Wales and led expeditions in Canada, the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and the Lofoten Islands in Norway. Tim is a BC 5* Sea Leader and Sea Kayak Coach, as well as an ACA Level 3 Instructor. He enjoys rocky coastlines and dynamic environments and is committed to making paddling enjoyable, efficient, and safe. (photo credit: Jon Sharlin)
Dave Grainger
Local Rough Water Guide, US Canoe Association Grand Veteran 1 /Unlimited Kayak National Marathon Champ, and Photographer
Dave takes a surf ski where most people wouldn't take a sea kayak. And he takes photos from it too. An amazing sense of balance, small craft advisories put a smile on "Grave Dangers" face.
Local Rough Water Guide, US Canoe Association Grand Veteran 1 /Unlimited Kayak National Marathon Champ, and Photographer
Dave takes a surf ski where most people wouldn't take a sea kayak. And he takes photos from it too. An amazing sense of balance, small craft advisories put a smile on "Grave Dangers" face.
Paula Riegel
BCU 5*, BCU Coach 2, ACA Level 5 Instructor, Registered Maine Guide, Local Rough Water Guide
Paula is the other half Kayak Waveology’s driving force. She has been involved as a coach for many years in the New England symposium circuit, and part of the Autumn Gales from the beginning. She brings grace, technique and strength to the tide race surfing round table. Watch out guys, there aren’t many who can say they got their 5 Star on the Isle Of Man. For the ladies, she is one to try and follow in her footsteps, she is paving the way for you out here on the East Coast.
BCU 5*, BCU Coach 2, ACA Level 5 Instructor, Registered Maine Guide, Local Rough Water Guide
Paula is the other half Kayak Waveology’s driving force. She has been involved as a coach for many years in the New England symposium circuit, and part of the Autumn Gales from the beginning. She brings grace, technique and strength to the tide race surfing round table. Watch out guys, there aren’t many who can say they got their 5 Star on the Isle Of Man. For the ladies, she is one to try and follow in her footsteps, she is paving the way for you out here on the East Coast.
Nick Schade
Kayak Designer/Owner Guillemot Kayaks , Local Rough Water Guide
Nick is an accomplished kayak designer and has developed quite a high performance line of rough water sea kayaks under Guillemot Kayaks.
These designs would have not existed for Nick, if he didn’t work in the
rough waters around in Fishers Island Sound and beyond. He is a local long boat surfing specialist in Tide Races.
Kayak Designer/Owner Guillemot Kayaks , Local Rough Water Guide
Nick is an accomplished kayak designer and has developed quite a high performance line of rough water sea kayaks under Guillemot Kayaks.
These designs would have not existed for Nick, if he didn’t work in the
rough waters around in Fishers Island Sound and beyond. He is a local long boat surfing specialist in Tide Races.
Carl Tjerandsen
Local Rough Water Guide and Photographer
Carl has been the tide race guru over the years knowing where the best spots will be at the right time. He's been paddling these rough water areas for years, studying what happens and when. He is a very accomplished rough water photographer which has added the excitement to the Autumn Gales from the beginning.
Local Rough Water Guide and Photographer
Carl has been the tide race guru over the years knowing where the best spots will be at the right time. He's been paddling these rough water areas for years, studying what happens and when. He is a very accomplished rough water photographer which has added the excitement to the Autumn Gales from the beginning.