Check out the latest
rainfall on the
Deerfield River
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Janet Burnett Cowie: Director of Instruction Programs
Janet manages our instruction programs including whitewater kayaking, canoeing and rock climbing. She is also our logistics guru for food services, vehicles and first aid. Since 1996, Janet's people skills and infectious enthusiasm have helped grow our instruction program to become one of the premier kayak schools in the country. Janet has been paddling and teaching since 1982 and is an ACA certified kayak instructor trainer. She received her bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts.
Fergus Coffey : Assistant Instruction Manager/Team Zoar Manager
Fergus paddles all around the country and the world - from the Deerfield to the Ottawa, the Futaleufu to the Green.
Jim Sullivan: Kayak and Canoe Instructor
Jim is both a versatile instructor and a highly skilled paddler. His forte is translating what he does on the water into words and concepts.
Steve Busch: Canoe and Kayak Instructor
Year you started paddling: AD OR BC? WELL WW LATE 70'S. UH YOU KNOW WHAT
THEY
SAY ABOUT THE 70'S. MOST OF US CAN'T REMEMBER...
Year you started teaching paddling: EARLY 80'S
Year you started at Zoar: 11YRS AGO! (1995)
What do you do when you are not working at Zoar (professionally):
WHATEVER MY WIFE TELLS ME TO...AND I TEACH PE @ CFHS (SPECIALIZING IN AQUATICS AND OUTDOOR ED)... PADDLING AT BINGO U & CORNELL....AND SKIING AT BOTH U'S
What inspires you to teach? SEEING PEOPLE REALLY GET IT. THE LIGHT GOES ON AND THEY'RE HOOKED. BOATERS 4EVER. AS AN INSTRUCTOR TRAINER I HOPE TO GEOMETRICALLY ACCELERATE THIS PROCESS
Any interesting fact or project you are involved with? BINGHAMTON NY ROCKBOTTOM DAM WHITEWATER PARK
Where you come from or local paddling area? CENTRAL NEW YORK
Jayson Seaman: Kayak Instructor
Year you started paddling: 1997
Year you started teaching paddling: 2001
Year you started at Zoar: 2004
What do you do when you are not working at Zoar (professionally): I am an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire, in the Outdoor Education program.
What inspires you to teach? My love of paddling and my belief that everyone should have access to healthy, enjoyable recreational opportunities--especially those that foster a sense of community and a deeper connection to the natural environment.
Any interesting fact or project you are involved with? After organizing a 6-day trip on the Magpie and Magpie Ouest rivers in Quebec last year, I am planning another expedition-style trip to the Romaine river for the summer of 2006 with the same group of friends--some of whom are also Zoar employees!
Where you come from or local paddling area? I live in the Seacoast area of New Hampshire, but the two rivers I can be found on most are the Deerfield and the Ottawa.