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I NSTRUCTOR PROFI LE
Ben Lawry B
Level 4 Surf Kayak ITE • Level 5 Kayak ITE • Level 5 Kayak ITE • Level 2 SUP IT •
www.benlawry.net
en has been paddling for over 35 years, and teaching/guiding for over 20. He has taught paddling on five continents and competed
on three. Presently he works as head instructor and owner of Kayak Camp with his wife, Elizabeth. Ben presented at both the US WW symposium and the National ACA Conference in 2010. He has led trips and traveled extensively in South America, South Africa, Eu- rope and North America. Ben splits his time now teaching paddling and working with stores. His teaching also takes him to symposiums, shows and paddling rendezvous all over the United States. As a brand ambassador, he is involved with kayak design in sea,
light touring and racing kayaks. All of which has led to an in-depth knowledge of instruction/guiding practices and procedures, strong commitment to quality service, as well as excellent organizational and problem solving skills. He enjoys competing in sprint, sea kayak, slalom, rodeo, marathon canoe and kayak, outrigger, surf ski and wildwater events.
How long have you been in paddlesports? I started paddling when I was nine years old, 35 years ago.
What is your favorite paddlesport? One that is in a boat—they are all good! One blade, two blades or none!
How did you get into paddlesports? A school teacher called David Adams—we raced slalom, surfed and ran rivers all in the same homemade boat.
Which is your favorite boat? This is not a fair question! To which discipline are you refering? Whitewater rivers: Pyranha Zone; creeking: Burn M, Varun M for play; sea kayaking: Cetus Lg; rocks: Delphin; surf: Aires; surf ski: Stellar SES; sprint boat: Epic Legacy XL; canoe: Wenonah V-1 Pro Boat; S-O-T surf: Kaos.
Tell me a little about one of your favorite places to paddle? There are many good memories for paddling—it is not about the place for me but the people. They are what makes it worth the effort, give the energy and supply the questions.
Who has influenced you most in your paddling career? David Adams for getting me started, Leigh McGregor for simplifying it, John Carmody for asking questions. David Caborn for getting me healthy and keeping me that way. My wife for letting me paddle and travel more than most.
What drew you to become an ACA Instructor? I suffer from the man problem—I need to fix that—so that is how I started, but efficiency is my curse. I have to find a way to solve the problem that makes sense to me and fits my teaching philosophies.
What do you consider your hometown paddle/run? It is 200 paces from my front door to the tidal creek, but we just moved so I will be looking for my new local paddle.
Where is one place you still aspire to paddle? Whitewater: France; sea kayak: Guyana; sprint: Brazil; surf ski: Tahiti; surf: North Portugal; canoe: Panama.
Charleston, SC Nov. 2–4, 2012
www.americancanoe.org
Paddlesports Conference National CANOE · KAYAK · SUP · RAFT · RESCUE
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