OUR INSTRUCTORS

Robert Schrack, co-owner of Adventure Crafters with his wife, Kerrie, believes that every paddling experience should be fun, safe and respectful of the environment. That philosophy, plus his enthusiasm for kayaking, has fueled Adventure Crafters since 2004. When he isn't paddling or teaching in the Chesapeake Bay or on the Atlantic Ocean, Robert trains with top coaches in the US and UK. He has paddled the tidal races of Penrhyn Mawr and North Stacks in North Wales, volunteered at Sea Kayak Georgia's BCU Week, and taught and guided trips in Roatan, Honduras for Uncommon Adventures. Robert is an ACA Level 4 open water kayak instructor with certifications in CPR, Wilderness First Aid and Canoe Safety.

Michelle Major is an ACA level 3 sea kayak instructor, BCU 3-star paddler, taught in Virginia, Maine and Maryland, NOLS graduate (30 day sea kayaking prince William sound, Alaska), over 10 years experience kayaking, 6 of those as an instructor. At home in the surf, passion for teaching, enthusiastic about paddling 8 years experience working in the outdoor industry. Paddled in Washington, Idaho, Alaska, Maine, new Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

Alec Bloyd-Peshkin adapts his coaching to fit each student he works with. He especially enjoys creating games and challenges that enable students to experiment with the skills they are learning. He finds this to be a fun way for students to absorb information for themselves. “I think it is great to see how much further a new paddler can go with their skills than they ever thought starting out.”

Alec is an ACA Level 4 sea kayak instructor and SKUK Coach 1. He is a staff instructor at Geneva Kayak Center in Illinois and teaches at numerous symposia around the Great Lakes. He and his wife, Sharon, maintain the paddling blog *Have Kayaks, Will Travel *(www.bloyd-peshkin.blogspot.com) and have written articles about paddling for *Adventure Kayak* magazine. He’s looking forward to his third year of coaching at Adventure Crafters.

Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin enjoys helping students develop both confidence and competence as paddlers. “I love sharing my excitement about kayaking and teaching the skills necessary to enjoy it,” she says. “But above all, I love enabling students to safely enjoy being in small boats on big water.”

Sharon is an ACA Level 4 sea kayak instructor and SKUK Coach 1. She is a staff instructor at Geneva Kayak Center in Illinois and teaches at numerous symposia around the Great Lakes. She and her husband, Alec, maintain the paddling blog *Have Kayaks, Will Travel *(www.bloyd-peshkin.blogspot.com) and have written articles about paddling for* Adventure **Kayak* magazine. She’s looking forward to her third year of coaching at Adventure Crafters. 

Hannah Bloyd-Peshkin is an avid 17-year-old paddler and BCU three-star paddler who will become an ACA instructor as soon as she is old enough to take the exam. She has certifications in Wilderness First Aid and Canoe Safety, and experience and training in whitewater paddling.

Lyn Stone  is passionate about paddling, but quiet—like her Greenland blade entering the water.  Lyn’s teaching philosophy was influenced  by the many great coaches and instructors with whom she has trained.  She strives to find each student’s starting point and help them move  on their own path with a focus on safe, effective, efficient, equipment specific paddling.

An ACA Level 3 sea kayak instructor and BCU/UKCC Coach 2 trainee  with Wilderness First Aid training, Lyn enjoys a range of  paddlesports and both Greenland and contemporary paddles. She is on  staff at Geneva Kayak Center and Northwest Passage in Illinois, and  coaches at Midwestern symposia, including those offered by the West  Michigan Costal Kayakers Association, Inland Sea Society, Great  lakes Sea Kayak Association and Ladies of the Lake. Lyn is on the  board of directors of the Chicago Area Sea Kayakers Association.

Ben Lawry has been paddling for over 30 years, and teaching/guiding for over 20. He has taught paddling on four continents and competed on three. Presently he works at the Kayak Centre, Wickford, RI and is co-owner and head instructor of Kayak Camp with his wife, Elizabeth. He has led trips and traveled extensively in South America, South Africa, Europe 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.

With nearly 25years in the business, Michael Gray is one of the most experienced instructors and guides in the Great Lakes region. He's led trips all over the world including Alaska, New Zealand and Central America. Of particular note is Michael's reputation as a phenomenal back country cook. Michael's cooking presentations and demonstrations are among the most popular sessions at the countries leading kayak symposiums, and his articles appear in major kayak publications, websites, and, by popular demand, his upcoming cookbook! Having taught outdoor skills and environmental workshops all of his adult life, Michael interprets wild places with warmth and respect. Michael has teamed with Adventure Crafters in the past at our winter Caribbean base and is looking forward to working with Rob in his home waters of Chesapeake Bay.

Danny Mongno - Werner Paddles is more than a career to Danny Mongno; it offers a lifestyle and a family. Traveling in his house on wheels and paddling most every day in the US and around the world has allowed him to add a constant flow of new thinking to over 19 years of experience. Coaching from event to event it is helping paddlers develop a love for the sport that keeps him coming back year in and year out. Danny is 36 years old and resides in the mountains of Asheville NC. Keep an eye out for him in your town on the running trail, white water take out, lake, local surf spot or any where else the paddlers gather.

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