H2Outfitters Staff

Meet Some of Our Staff!
H2Outfitters is committed to high-quality kayaking instruction. Our instructors are selected not only for their kayaking skills, but also

for their teaching skills and group management ability. Our staff is dedicated to making sure you have Serious Fun!

Downeast Magazine, August Downeast Magazine, August '04 0

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H2Outfitters' Head Honcho and co-founder, Cathy Piffath (alias "the Monk"). Cathy's combination of flawless kayaking skills, extensive experience, sense of fun and knack for observation make her a top-notch instructor of the art. Whether you are a rank beginner or an advanced paddler, your skills will be significantly improved after a class with her. Cathy is a Registered Maine Guide, ACA (American Canoe Association) certified Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator, a certified Whitewater Kayak Instructor and a BCU (British Canoe Union) Instructor.

Sitting down on the job at H20

WWWill the real Director of Fun please stand up...

These are the authentic geataway sticks
Director of Fun and co-founder of H2Outfitters, Jeff Cooper, will generate an enthusiasm for kayaking that will stay with you. A gifted teacher, group leader, and raconteur of tales, Jeff inspires his students with the confidence they need to improve their skills and have a great time doing it! Jeff is an ACA certified Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator, a certified Whitewater Kayak Instructor and BCU Instructor.

Instructor Whitney Smith, shown here demonstrating a reverse sweep, has extensive experience teaching sea kayaking at all levels. Students appreciate her dedication to the sport, ability to adapt to different learning styles, flawless skills and ability to impart these skills to her students in a relaxed, fun manner. Her confidence is contagious! Whitney is an ACA certified Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer and a Registered Maine Guide.

Instructor Hannah Proctor demonstrates the draw stroke here in her usual graceful style! Hannah combines a patient, gentle teaching manner with extensive paddling experience and a great love of the sport and of the outdoors. She is a dedicated teacher who will have you improving your skills in no time. Hannah is a Registered Maine Guide and ACA certified Coastal Kayak Instructor.

Instructor Ward Swann teaches at our southern outposts in the Carolinas. He's shown here testing a new type of paddling helmet. Affectionately known as gearhead, Ward manages to find the most esoteric equipment and is always willing to lead neophites on a shopping excursion to pardise. One of our lead instructors, you'll often find Ward conducting an upper level class on Navigation Skills or Rescue.

Sylvie is a native Quebecoise and another of our instructors. She is also an adventurer and experienced outdoorswoman. Sylvie teaches at our Orr's Island base and elsewhere, and leads some of our trips.

Ross Corcoran, a graduate of Greenfield Community College's Outdoor Leadership Program, heads up our instructional staff. Ross holds certifications from the ACA, is a Wilderness First Responder, and is an aspiring student of Kendo. Ross will work on the details of your paddling technique and bring them to the next level. Ross leads trips along the coast of Maine, recently returned from paddling the inland sea of Japan, and will be scouting the Amalfi Coast of Italy this October.

Freddie Sico, aka "Fernando" is another instructor from our western Massachusetts contingent. A graduate of Greenfield Community College's Outdoor Leadership Program, Freddie is an experienced outdoorsman and kayaker who holds ACA certifications in both kayaking and canoeing. If you hunger for cuisine italiano, Fernando is your chef di giorno. Freddie's recipe for success in paddling is focused instruction spiced up with just the right amount of repetition to achieve your goals. Feel free to ask him for some quick tips on paddling or even a suggestion for the right seasoning for your next outdoor meal.

Kato. aka Jonathan Peyster, is a student at Bard College and signed on last summer as an intern and has become one of our most intrepid leaders on the water. Kato's detailed explanations are an elaborate exercise in hyperbole as well as humor. An entertaining presenter and instructor, there is never a dull moment when Kato has the floor. Paddling since he was 6 years old, this young buck has paddled extensively throughout the Eastern seaboard and has probably logged more miles than anyone on our staff. A lively raconteur, don't miss out on his tall tales and longgggggg stories.

John Engel, one of our mid-atlantic instructors is known for his "commanding style." John has been with us for a number of years, is a certified ACA instructor and a proficient wooden boat builder. Rumor has it that John Cusack's character in the film "Must Love Dogs" was modeled on our John's reputation as a genuine and sincere guy. Despite his celebrity, John is a patient instructor and a skilled paddler.

Bob Sewell, the other half our intrepid mid-atlantic team, is a gifted teacher and long time kayaker. A great one-on-one instructor, Bob is always willing to take the time to answer all your paddling questions. Look for Bob on the water, in the pool, and on some of our overnight excursions. Bob is certified through the ACA and can be found paddling the rivers and lakes of Pennsylvania and New Jersey now that he is a retired member of the landed gentry.

The dynamic duo in action - like Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster The fruits of John's labors, maiden voyage on Saranac Lakes

H20 In-house Staff 2005

Left to Right:

(back row): Kato and his newfound bicep; Sebette Hamill - cook extraordinaire, kayak guide, office maven; Brian Bowman, intern, nephew of Ward Swann

(front row): Kate Sheaf, intern and outdoor educator; Emily Strickland, intern, talented illustrator, Outdoor Education Student at the White Mountain School;

Miku- san, japanese paddler and summer guest; Ross and Fernando, paddlers at large.

Koji-san - Asian Liason

Koji-san and daughter training for the H2Outfitters Taiko drum squad

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H2Outfitters
P.O. Box 72
Orr's Island, ME 04066
phone: 1-800-20-KAYAK or
207-833-5257
fax: 207-833-6606
email: h2o@h2outfitters.com

Downeast Magazine, August Downeast Magazine, August '04 0 4	H2Outfitters' Head Honcho and co-founder, Cathy Piffath (alias "the Monk"). Cathy's combination of flawless kayaking skills, extensive experience, sense of fun and knack for observation make her a top-notch instructor of the art. Whether you are a rank beginner or an advanced paddler, your skills will be significantly improved after a class with her. Cathy is a Registered Maine Guide, ACA (American Canoe Association) certified Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator, a certified Whitewater Kayak Instructor and a BCU (British Canoe Union) Instructor.
Sitting down on the job at H20 WWWill the real Director of Fun please stand up... These are the authentic geataway sticks	Director of Fun and co-founder of H2Outfitters, Jeff Cooper, will generate an enthusiasm for kayaking that will stay with you. A gifted teacher, group leader, and raconteur of tales, Jeff inspires his students with the confidence they need to improve their skills and have a great time doing it! Jeff is an ACA certified Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer Educator, a certified Whitewater Kayak Instructor and BCU Instructor.
	Instructor Whitney Smith, shown here demonstrating a reverse sweep, has extensive experience teaching sea kayaking at all levels. Students appreciate her dedication to the sport, ability to adapt to different learning styles, flawless skills and ability to impart these skills to her students in a relaxed, fun manner. Her confidence is contagious! Whitney is an ACA certified Coastal Kayak Instructor Trainer and a Registered Maine Guide.
	Instructor Hannah Proctor demonstrates the draw stroke here in her usual graceful style! Hannah combines a patient, gentle teaching manner with extensive paddling experience and a great love of the sport and of the outdoors. She is a dedicated teacher who will have you improving your skills in no time. Hannah is a Registered Maine Guide and ACA certified Coastal Kayak Instructor.
	Instructor Ward Swann teaches at our southern outposts in the Carolinas. He's shown here testing a new type of paddling helmet. Affectionately known as gearhead, Ward manages to find the most esoteric equipment and is always willing to lead neophites on a shopping excursion to pardise. One of our lead instructors, you'll often find Ward conducting an upper level class on Navigation Skills or Rescue.