Drawing upon more than 25 years of experience in whitewater kayaking, paddlesports instruction, river expedition leadership, and swiftwater rescue training, this whitewater kayaking and river safety expert witness specializes in beginner kayak instruction, instructor training for kayaking and rafting, swift water rescue workshops, paddling expeditions, wilderness first aid, and risk management associated with whitewater rafting and recreational river operations. The expert has more than 10 years of experience providing consultations and depositions involving whitewater safety, kayaking instruction, river operations, expedition procedures, rescue preparedness, and paddlesports-related risk management. Areas of expertise include river navigation, outdoor leadership training, hazard recognition, emergency response procedures, participant safety management, instructional program development, and operational safety practices associated with guided and recreational whitewater activities. Academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business, along with additional university-level study completed while training for the United States Team and Olympic-level whitewater slalom competition.

Extensive instructional and operational leadership experience includes founding and directing a nationally recognized kayaking and river instruction program focused on education, exploration, stewardship, and whitewater safety training. The expert has taught more than 10,000 individuals paddling skills through instructional programming, certified more than 300 kayak instructors nationwide, and coordinated youth paddling camps serving more than 1,000 children annually. Additional experience includes development and delivery of ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor certification courses, with the expert conducting more instructor certification programs than any other Oregon-based organization during the certification period. Professional certifications and rescue qualifications include ACA Whitewater Kayak Instructor Trainer status, Rescue 3 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor certification, Wilderness First Responder training, Red Cross Lifeguard and Lifeguard Instructor certification, and extensive wilderness first aid and rescue instruction. Operational responsibilities have included coordination of swiftwater rescue workshops throughout the United States and internationally, collaboration with search-and-rescue organizations and emergency response teams, and implementation of safety planning procedures for whitewater programs and river expeditions.

International expedition and competition experience further distinguishes the expert’s background in advanced whitewater operations and river safety. The expert has organized and facilitated 27 international paddling expeditions and instructional workshops across 17 countries, including Costa Rica, Thailand, Laos, Nepal, China, Africa, and Norway. Competitive kayaking achievements include world-ranking freestyle competition results, national championship titles, World Championship medal placements, United States Freestyle Team participation, Olympic Festival medals, and international freestyle and extreme kayaking awards. Additional professional activities have included service as a paddling ambassador, design consultant for kayak manufacturers, and instructor and guide throughout North America and international river environments. The expert has also contributed to river safety and logistics planning for televised productions and outdoor media projects involving on-water safety support, surf rescue services, contingency planning, and remote location risk management.

Leadership and public service activities include participation in river safety advocacy, outdoor recreation planning, and paddlesports education initiatives at the regional and national levels. The expert founded a collegiate paddling organization that became the largest student-run organization on campus while helping establish safety protocols and insurance procedures for university paddling activities. Additional professional involvement includes keynote speaking engagements for university recreation leadership conferences, service on non-motorized strategic planning committees, river conservation leadership, board memberships involving clean river and outdoor recreation initiatives, and collegiate-level paddling instruction. The expert has also received recognition for instructional media production, environmental stewardship efforts, and contributions to paddlesports education and river recreation safety.