Bryant’s Blog

I have been living in Los Angeles for the past 14 years and have just moved to Sacramento (Folsom, actually) to start a new position as the Program Director for California Canoe & Kayak. I enjoy paddling in all its forms and I am thrilled at the opportunity to make a career out of introducing others to the sport I love so much.
I grew up in Minnesota canoeing on the many lakes and flat rivers. Didn’t really know what kayaking was as a sport. When I came out to California for school I still wasn’t really aware of it – until my friend, a self-taught sea kayaker, took a bunch of us kayak camping on the South side of Catalina Island. We had to paddle about five miles on Sit-On-Tops in 8 foot swells (but luckily no wind). I knew right away I was hooked.
My friend recommended I get some ‘proper’ instruction so I took sea kayaking classes at UCLA’s Marina Aquatic Center. I did several paddling trips and then started surf kayaking – bought my first whitewater boat without any idea of what whitewater kayaking is all about. After traveling a little for work and starting to climb the corporate ladder I realized I didn’t want to spend my life at a desk so I moved back to Los Angeles and starting teaching kayaking part time for UCLA. I soon got my ACA Coastal Kayak certification and eventually become the head instructor for the program.
About that same time I met a New Zealand couple who were starting a kayak polo club at UCLA. I loved the combination of kayaking with competitive team sports and I have been an avid player since my first day in 2001. Ultimately I made it to the U.S National team and had the opportunity to represent my country at the World Kayak Polo Championships in Amsterdam in August 2006. Unfortunately I managed to injure my shoulder in the process and have since retired from the team, though I still hope to play casually and foster the growth of the sport in this country.
The same people who introduced me to kayak polo also introduced me to whitewater. I learned on the Kern, which I considered to be my local river even if it was a three-hour drive from L.A. And as our kayak polo club grew it expanded to be an informal whitewater club with beginner trips and rescue practice every year. After leading a couple of the beginner trips and helping to train new leaders I got my ACA certification for Whitewater Kayaking. For the past few years my polo training has kept me off the river but I am eager to explore new rivers and maybe even learn to playboat.