Woody Callaway (liquidlogic)
Co-founder of Liquidlogic kayaks Woody has been kayaking longer than most of his kayak friends have been alive. I’m living proof that kayaking has no boundaries when it comes to age. It’s great to be a part of the changing climate that whitewater kayaking is going through design wise. Its like the old saying “what comes around goes around” says Woody. The current trend of longer faster boats reminds me of the good ole days when the river “experience” was king and the camaraderie of friends was the most important aspect of kayaking. Woody lives at the take-out of the dam controlled Green River Narrows, a class V creek in Western North Carolina.
Evan Stafford (liquidlogic)
Exploration has always been the keyword for Evan, whether traveling through New Zealand or scoping out new runs near his home in Northern Colorado. In 2006 he co-authored a guidebook covering 600 runs in the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Wyoming titled Whitewater of the Southern Rockies. His hope for the guidebook was to inspire paddlers to get out and explore new runs for themselves and judging by the excitement generated by the book thus far he has thoroughly succeeded. Evan also coaches the Fort Collins Junior Kayak League Team and is a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor.
Jesse Coombs- (Jackson Kayak)
Named Adventure Hero of 2006 and Class 5 Adventure Hero of 2007 by National Geographic. Jesse and his kayak partner Ben Stookesberry are the force behind No Big Names video series and now produce a company called Clear Water films. Make sure to check out the latest kayak video Hotel Charley 4 which includes the world record breaking waterfall decent in a kayak of 120 feet!!!
Ben Stookesberry- (Jackson Kayak)
Teamed up with partner Jesse Coombs in No Big Names, the two now are producing Clear H2O films. Ben has taken creek and expedition kayaking to the next level by seeking out new unexplored locations. Ben and Jesse Coombs have the honor to be named Adventure Hero of the 2006 by National Geographic. One of Ben’s goals is to raise awareness and generate support for the protection of rivers.
Stephen Wright- (Jackson Kayak)
Nick-named Hobbit King, Stephen has dominated the play boating scene. Stephen is the two-time US National Freestyle Champion taking 1st at Fibark, CO in 2006 and Wisp Whitewater Park in MD in 2007. Stephen was also the silver medalist at the 2006 World Cup.
Clay Wright- (Jackson Kayak)
An Ambassador for American Whitewater, Clay has been kayaking for 20 years and is still excited every time he is paddling. Squirt boat World Champion, Bronze medalist 1996 Pre-Worlds, Bronze medal in the 2006 World Cup and several Extreme race wins on creeks such as, Oh Be Joyful, Cherry Creek, Clear Creek and Gore Canyon.
Nick Troutman- (Jackson Kayak)
For 18 years young, Nick has an outstanding list of accomplishments. Nick has a complete 1st descent on the Rio Alseseca, Vera Cruz, Mexico, member of the Canadian National Freestyle Team, 1st in the World Cup Championships Jr. Men 2006 as well as Bronze medalist at the 2007 World Championships in the senior men, and is featured in several of EJ’s instructional videos.
Eric Jackson- (Jackson Kayak)
Eric Jackson is a legend in the kayaking world. EJ is a four time World Champion with wins in 1993,2001,2005 and 2007 as well as winning the first World Cup in freestyle in 2006 and has been a US Team member since 1989. Owner of Jackson Kayak, EJ has settled down (a bit) in Rock Island, TN.
Emily Jackson- (Jackson Kayak)
Emily’s kayaking skills have soared in the past couple of years. Current Junior Women’s World Champion and silver medalist in the Women’s class at the 2006 World Cup. She is also current National Champion as well. Emily is a 3 time winner in the Teva Mountain Games Pro Women’s Rodeo (2005, 2006 &2007). Emily is also current Women’s National Champion and spends her free time raising money for non-profit groups that aid in the health and education of impoverished African children.
Ruth Gordon- (Jackson Kayak)
Growing up 30 min. away from the Ottawa River and learning to kayak at 18 yrs. Young. Ruth’s moves are textbook quality. Current Freestyle World Champion and two-time Canadian National Champion. She lives out of her bright yellow van and storage unit and knows she will wake up and paddle with Team Jackson.
Dane Jackson- (Jackson Kayak)
Dane is going to be the guy to beat. He took 3rd place at the Teva Mountain Games against the world’s top pros at the age of 13. Dane is current Junior National Champion as well as taking home silver in both The ’07 World Championships and ’06 W0orld Cup in the junior class.
Nichole Mansfield (Pyranha)
Nichole is a log time paddler from Buffalo New York who has recently made Colorado her home for the best paddling and skiing the country has to offer. She can show the boys the lines when creeking and has a tenacious attitude when play boating. Nichole competed in the 2008 World Kayaking Championships and has been a long time CKS employee. She now travels full time with team Demschitz on a mission to conquer one river at a time
Dave Fusilli- (Pyranha)
Dave learned to kayak with his Dad when he was 7 years old. He became serious about kayaking 6 years ago when he became a raft guide on the Arkansas River. His current favorite river is Cherry Creek, CA. Dave is a graduate in Environmental Science.
Jared Seiler- (Pyranha)
Jared has been kayaking for 11 years. He loves to play on the New River Dries, Upper Gauley and the Ottawa River. One of his favorite rivers is the Royal Gorge in California.
Kelsey Thompson (Dagger and Wavesport)
As a three time Canadian Freestyle Team member Kelsey’s love of kayaking developed after years of skiing and mountain biking. He aims his sights high with everything he does and kayaking is no different. He strives to be smooth like butter making him one of those paddlers people love to watch.
Bryan Kirk (Dagger and Wavesport)
Brian has been paddling for the past 21 years. He’s kayaked in over a dozen countries, competed in 3 freestyle world championships, and is a US Freestyle Kayak committee member. Bryan has the 2nd fastest times in history in both the Russell Fork and Oh-Be-Joyfull races. He’s currently Wave Sport’s team manager as well as a competitor in freestyle and extreme race events.
Tommy Hilleke(Liquid Logic)
Tommy started kayaking in North Carolina while attending Brevard College. He honed his skills doing numerous runs on the infamous Green River Narrows in North Carolina and winning the infamous Green River Extreme race four consecutive years. Tommy is also one of the premiere expedition paddlers in the world. Tommy’s one day assault on the Stikene River and the Middle Fork of the Kings will long be the bench mark for expedition paddlers.
Jules Campbell (Liquid Logic)
Known for his smooth style Jules has many first descents under his belt. Jules mother (US team member for 8 years) and father (’72 Olympic Slalom Team) were both US Team Slalom paddlers/coaches in the earlier 70’. Jules started paddling when he was two years old and got his first roll at five. Often seen on Lunch Video Magazine Jules quite confidence shows through time and time again whether running huge rivers in Alaska or steep creeking in California Jules is a top shelf kayaker.
Dan Gavere (Werner Paddles)
Dan has been paddling a kayak for over 20 years and snowboarding for nearly that long as well. He has now figured out a way to combine the sports so usually he can now be found riding the waves of the Pacific or even the rapids of the Arkansas on his Stand Up Paddle Board. With a new passion he has taken to the waters once again to make paddling a lifestyle only now while standing up. He finds new challenges in standing up and paddling down whitewater and says “it’s the best way to make otherwise easy and not so interesting whitewater into a playground again” Class 3 is like class 5 when you’re standing up and I enjoy the extra fitness and fun benefits of paddling while standing up. I have never been in this good of shape in my entire life” He attributes this to the whole body workout SUP provides. Dan will be on hand during Paddlefest to answer any SUP questions you may have, but also remember this guy is THE paddle expert that can make sure you’re getting the perfect paddle for any type of paddling you may be doing standing up or sitting down.