Meet some of the Zoar Outdoor Instructors!
Janet oversees our Outfitters Shop and instruction programs including whitewater kayaking, canoeing and rock climbing. She is also our logistics guru for food services and vehicles. Since 1996, Janet’s people skills and expertise have helped grow our paddling school into one of the premier kayak programs in the country. Janet has been whitewater paddling since 1983, when she joined the University of Massachusetts Outing Club.
Janet is an ACA Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator, Level 4 River Canoe Instructor/Level 3 River Canoe Instructor Trainer and Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Instructor. In 2011 Janet received ACA’s Excellence in Instruction Award. She helped to organize the first Whitewater Symposium at Zoar Outdoor in 2003 and again in 2009, and continues to be involved with the Whitewater Symposium movement. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts.
Paddling since he was twelve thanks to his father, Jim is one of the best paddlers around. With a smooth and consistent style Jim gets it done on the water. Having taught for Zoar and Liquid Skills his instruction is world class and boats to match it.
Jim has been paddling the rivers of New England since learning to kayak as a teen near Springfield, Massachusetts. He is an avid river runner, playboater and all around paddler and has run every rapid on the Dryway on a standup paddleboard (upright) at least once! He works closely with Janet Burnett Cowie providing leadership in our Paddlesports programs.
Jim is an American Canoe Association Level 5 Whitewater Kayak Instructor/Level 4 Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer, Level 4 River Canoe Instructor /Level 3 River Canoe Instructor Trainer and level 4 Swiftwater Rescue and Stand Up Paddling instructor. He has also been a recipient of the instructor of the month award from the ACA .
Year started at Zoar: 2002
Hometown: Ashfield, MA
Favorite local river: Dead Branch of the Westfield (and most creeks)
Year started at Zoar: 2012
Why you love to teach:
When you teach, you get to share thoughts and ideas with other people. I appreciate the collaboration that evolves from teaching.
What gets you excited about paddling?
I like the way kayaking feels. I appreciate how it challenges me physically and mentally.
Year started at Zoar:
2017 (This will be my 4th spring teaching, Been lurking around since the beginning)
Why you love to teach:
It’s such a niche sport, and I love to see that moment when someone really connects with it.
What gets you excited about paddling?
Rallying other people to get out to paddle! And being vertical, on bow or stern.
I started paddling whitewater in open canoe in the mid ’80’s with family, and then kayaking a couple years later, then mostly paddling C1 (decked canoe). Got my instructors certification in 1991, and have taught and paddled all over the U.S., Canada, East Africa, Costa Rica, and South America. I love down river play, our local creeking, and fresh coconut water. I still love paddling because there is always something new to try to learn, regardless of how long I’ve done it. I focus now on after school kids programs (which now include my son).
Pretty much just boring old me, 1 yr older 😉
L4 IT ww canoe, kayak, SUP L3 SWR Inst L3 Coastal Kayak Inst
Zoar since ’97ish My first year was Janets first.
Year started at Zoar: 2017
Why you love to teach:
I like to help and introduce people into a sport I love and getting people into their first kayak and down their first river and to see the joy that people get out of kayaking is very special.
What gets you excited about paddling?
Getting a crew together and watching some sweet kayaking videos.
Year started at Zoar: 2008
Ben worked full time at Zoar Outdoor for a number of years as a co-paddlesport manager alongside Jim. He is currently based in southern NH, but enjoys making the occasional retreat to teach a specialty course at Zoar Outdoor.
First year at Zoar Outdoor: 2018
A student at Hampshire College, Colleen has figured out how to make her love for writing mix with her love for paddling. She brings an infectious smile and some super fun positive energy to her teammates. Colleen makes the most of her opportunities to get on the water. Find her in a river.
Year started at Zoar: 2013
Dylan is a “Jack-of-all-trades” at Zoar Outdoor, but we are glad to have him primarily as a kayak instructor. When he’s not on the water you may find him in the trees, on the zip line course, or in the campground as our summer campground manager.
Year started at Zoar Outdoor:
started teaching in 2013, but earlier in the shop
Julian is a local paddler who began kayaking with our after school kayaking lessons. Once old enough for employment he began work in The Outfitter Shop and has continued to build his retail, teaching and paddling skills ever since.
Year started at Zoar Outdoor: 2019, but really it was earlier
Reilly started paddling with the after school program at Zoar Outdoor and now in his senior year has pretty much full control over it. He has grown into an incredibly skilled paddler with frequent trips to the Ottawa River. He has an excellent balance of youthful energy and adult maturity.
Year started at Zoar: 2009
Paddling Nickname:
Pinecone
Sara learned paddling at Zoar Outdoor as a teenager and it didn’t take long until she was old enough to teach. She developed her teaching skills while attending Williams College and is now also a science teacher at Amherst High School. Her love for paddling has taken her all across the country.
Year started at Zoar: 2012 in Zip; 2017 in Paddlesports.
Shira started at Zoar Outdoor guiding folks through the trees with our zipline course. It didn’t take to long for her paddling passion to bring her towards the paddlesport department though and she has been an outstanding asset for us both on the water and in the retail shop. In the winter she has been living the kayaking dream. Working and paddling in Costa Rica, Chile, and this year New Zealand!