Testimonials

Can I just say that this course was awesome!! Anybody who knows me well, knows that my relationship with the water is tenuous at best… I can swim (my kids call it “not drowning’ 😂), but I don’t like to be cold. I don’t enjoy the thought of things that live under the water, but I adore my standup paddleboard and yoga shenanigans above the surface on a sunny day. For that, I am willing to get wet.
I have always wanted to try river kayaking. Last weekend, the dates for a locally instructed course aligned and I made the plunge. Rick at Backwater Paddling was incredible. He presented the skills logically and encouraged our progression safely.
Last night I was confidently screaming in joy as white water sprayed over the front of my kayak. I was literally begging to “do it again” even though my feet and hands were blue and numb. Hugging Rick and saying goodbye was actually sad for me because I didn’t want to stop learning with him. That’s successful coaching my friends.
Amazing! Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Rick Brine took a klutz like me and had me comfortable and functioning efficiently in a Sea Kayak within minutes. That ranks a major accomplishment – as anyone who knows me can testify.”

“I observed Rick teach the complete Eskimo roll at arm’s length (from in his boat) to a young beginner. I enjoyed watching his style of instruction of “teaching by understanding”; enabling the student visualize the whole skill as well as breaking it down into key components”