Lisa

It's exciting to be working at Carl & John's Paddlin'. We sell great boats and gear and we serve wonderful people. Fellow staff are truly amazing characters and lots of fun. There is never a dull moment here.

Dad put a paddle in my hands as soon as I was old enough to grab on, and I've been paddling ever since. (More accurately, learning how to paddle, a glorious, life-long learning process.) In prior lives in the paddling world, I have worked in both retail and manufacturing venues, held ACA instructor certifications in flatwater canoe and kayak, and have taught and guided. Off the clock, I enjoy everything from day trips and casual evening paddles, to wilderness tripping, flatwater racing and paddling whitewater. One of my greatest joys is solo canoeing, anywhere. In September 2004, I spent a week solo tripping in Quetico Provincial Park – what a trip! One day I hope to realize a long-time dream, to make an extended far-north river trip and see the tundra. Favorite non-paddling pursuits include bicycling, gardening, home repairs, photography and freelance writing.

When it comes to gear and boats, I appreciate both old and new. You can't beat tried and true materials like wool (all those sheep can't be wrong!) and wood. And new technologies like Gore-Tex and Kevlar offer some great advantages. Use what works, I say. I believe it pays to invest in good gear. They say you only wince once when you buy well-made equipment. After the initial investment, good gear lasts a long time and it won't let you down.

Paddling is a rich smorgasbord - whether you're feasting with one blade or two, on flatwater, ocean or moving water, there are endless places to explore. And there are so many different types of boats and ways to paddle, there's something for everyone.