PADDLE UNIVERSITY
Saturday March 5, 2011
Meet the Presenters
MARK CHANSKI
Mark Chanski has been boating on Connecticut’s waterways since
childhood. He is currently employed by the Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection’s Boating Division. He is heavily
involved with the Division’s public education and outreach
programs.
Mark’s boating experience is not limited to any one particular
style of boat. In fact, he has been known to tell people “the
only kind of boat I don’t like is a sinking one”. Mark
is very familiar with the commercial boating industry as well as
the recreational side. As such he holds certificates and credentials
from the American Canoe Association, Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection, US Coast Guard, and US Sailing.
BRIAN COOPER
Brian has been paddling since 2001 after building his S&G Chesapeake
17 sea kayak. Last year he became a Level 1 Kayaking Instructor
and earlier this year he received his Coastal Kayaking Level 2 certification.
Brian is active in ConnYak (Connecticut Sea Kayakers) and enjoys
paddling calm water as well as the ocean. Brian has used a Greenland
paddle for many years. His custom made paddles can be purchased
at CCK. Brian says that working at CCK is “his fun job”
– a break from the daily grind of his normal manufacturing
job.
BRIAN GOOD
Brian Good is the new guy at Werner Paddles, but do not
let him fool you as he is a veteran road warrior. He has spent many
years jumping between kayaks, stand up boards, snowboards , mtn.
bikes and has even been know to fall off a skateboard or two. Favorite
passed on wisdom quote from random old guy, "Do not let school
work get in the way of your education". So he didn' t and has
spent years from coast to coast enjoying life to the fullest. Try
to keep withe Brian as he represents Werner in 2011, spreading his
infectious energy from event to event. He is on a mission!”
SUZANNE HUTCHINSON
Suz’s love of paddling has taken her to Scotland, Wales, and
England, with the playground of the Maine coast as her home waters.
She has been paddling recreationally for 10 years. In her early
years, her boat lived atop her car because it never would have made
the turn to get in the elevator of her condo. She is passionate
about kayaking; loves to introduce new paddlers to the sport, and
is dedicated to teaching with her cold water workshops.
Suz is a Registered Maine Guide, a BCU level 1 instructor and 5*
aspirant. She is the New England Kokatat Rep and a Team Paddler
for P & H. When not traveling the roads of New England, she
lives with her husband Werner, three cats, and a barn full of boats!
DANNY MONGNO
Werner Paddles has given me the opportunity to do what
I love for a living and a day does not go by that I am not thankful.
This is an amazing lifestyle and I am just in awe of how much fun
paddling still is to me, after 21 years. We’re all just out
there to have a good time and I if I can help add to that along
my travels, with a suggestion on better technique, better gear or
just a few jokes, I am all in.” It is quite the lifestyle
as Danny, now 37 years old, paddles most every day spending 8 months
a year living in the Werner rig. Keep an eye out for him when he
swings through your town on the running trail, white water take
out, lake, local surf spot or any where else that paddlers gather.
Bar stools not excluded.
PAULA SAAF
Paula Saaf is a middle aged woman struggling to keep her
mental and physical health! Just short of injection drugs she maintains
her body so that she can peg the fun meter every day of her life!
SUPing, kayaking, biking and running are her true loves. Yoga keeps
her body moving so that she can play. She has combined all these
things to make each sport much more than just a ride!
DAVID SINISH
"Teaching paddling is the best thing I do", says
David Sinish beginning his twentieth year at CCK. He started paddling
seriously in the early 70's with the CT Chapter of the AMC. After
chairing that group for many years David turned to racing flat water,
whitewater in every style of canoe and kayak. He has amassed a generous
share of wins including many years as National Canoe Poling champion,
a near miss for the National Kayak Marathon Team and 3rd finish
in the World Master's Games. Sharing his love of paddlesport moved
David to teaching full time at CCK. He holds current ACA teaching
certifications in moving water and coastal touring. David is very
active in river conservation, dedicating most time to the Farmington
River.
BILL SWIFT
Bill Swift is one of those lucky one’s who grew up with parents
that owned both a canoe tripping camp and a canoe rental operation
in Algonquin Park, Ontario. He was a passenger in a canoe at the
age of 3 months and has not stopped paddling since! In 1989 he started
Swift Canoe & Kayak.
Return to Top |
