World Kayak Ambassador Development Program

Direct World Kayak representation in your boating community


The WK initiative is a volunteer based organization that will depend heavily on the work in a growing number of regions across the globe. Each region is represented by an 'ambassador', a key member of the local paddling community levied with the responsibility of bringing WK programs into their geographical region. Our development program is the effort that supports the growth of our ambassador network and the growth of their volunteer teams within each region.

Become an ambassador
World Kayak continues to look for ambassadors in each paddling region. That person will be aided by World Kayak in the implementation of programs and events in their region and the upkeep of that region's web presence. Volunteers are welcome to help them out...

> Click here for more info!



Our Ambassadors

    Ben Kinsella, Bozeman, Montana USA

    I'm currently a Junior at Montana State University in Bozeman Montana where you can find me either in the engineering lab or out on the river. The Wolf River in northern Wisconsin is my home river where my dad and I used to make the journey from Chicago on many weekends during the summer to play in its warm waters.


    Ed Conning, Cody Wyoming USA

    I was nearly thirty when I discovered whitewater kayaking and the more I boated, the more I loved the sport. Moving to Cody gave me the opportunity to boat year-round and nearly every day from April until October.

    After twenty-five years of paddling, I love the sport as much as ever. I can be found on the local rivers most weekends and summer evenings. Cmon out and play!


    Kevin Mayfield - Chicago

    Born and raised in Chicago, paddling whitewater was the last thing I ever thought I would do. For the last two years, I have transformed myself into a River Junky. I have built my schedule during the spring, summer, and fall seasons to revolve around paddling and I jump in my boat every chance I get.


    Gareth Harvey, UK

    Gareth Harvey is from Reading in the UK. He loves helping people of all ages and ability to progress in the sport. He works as an Assistant Manager Wine advisor, and spends most of his free time either Kayaking or running/developing the local area freestyle website. Kayaking is all about having fun with your mates travelling, socialising and meeting new people. It doesn't matter whether he is learning a new trick, running a new river or just at a pool session, his passion for kayaking is always strong.


    Don Dowling, Colorado USA

    Born under the sign of Aquarius I've always been drawn to water. I spend most of the beginning of my life in a pool, where I swam competitively for over 17 years. As my swimming career came to a close, I quickly discovered my college Outdoor Rec. Center and signed-up for my first kayak pool lesson. I was hooked from the start.


    Dave Villalobos, Eugene, USA

    Riding the aftermath of weather systems is my way of life! If the freezing level is down, I'm up on the hill sliding on snow. When it rises, I'm on the river. If I can't make up my mind, I might do both or just hit the local skate park! I am blessed with the best job in the world... come by the Outdoor Program @ the University of Oregon. See you outside!


    Gary Wilson, Boise, Idaho, USA

    Hello - Gary from Horseshoe Bend, Idaho here... I was raised in Alaska and transplanted to the Boise area in late 2001. My older son and I started paddling in the summer of 2003. The entire family now enjoys the river and you can find us on the Payette most weekends and even a couple of weekday evenings.


View all World Kayak Ambassadors

Our Ambassadors

    James Trombley - Asheville, NC, USA

    My experiences with kayaks started when my aunt and uncle invited me to join them and their fleet of sit-on-tops on a float trip of the San Marcos River in central Texas. After that they were nice enough to give into my constant requests to borrow the boats for fishing trips down local creeks. I realized how enthralling whitewater could be when I strapped the boats onto the family rig for a trip to the coast and launched into the surf.


    Wayne Dickert - Nantahala, USA

    Wayner has been a part of NOC since he started paddling competitively in 1981. Although having taught as summer camps for 10 years prior, he started teaching canoeing in 1986 and kayaking in 1997 for NOC. Since that time, he has been teaching canoeing and kayaking for NOC full time or part time while serving as director of the Nantahala Racing Club and slalom development director for USA Canoe and Kayak.


    Jennifer Green, Atlanta, USA

    Hey, there  I am Jennifer Green. I've been kayaking for 3.5 years. I live outside of Atlanta, GA and I am happy to be the WorldKayak.com ambassador for the Atlanta/Georgia region.


    Toby M. Ebens, Reno, USA

    My first experience with paddling was some 31 years ago. I know this because I still have the old faded picture documenting the occasion - a small tow-headed child sitting in a glass slalom boat, holding a greatly oversized wooden paddle and floating in a calm section of water with a huge grin on his face. My father was a whitewater boater back in the day and would drag the family around the Pacific Northwest from event to event.


    Wesley R. Bradley, Tri-Cities, USA

    I love the great outdoors! I have many outdoor related hobbies, which include: mountain biking, road biking, alpine skiing, hiking, camping, backpacking, mountaineering, whitewater rafting, and of course whitewater kayaking! Whitewater kayaking is my favorite hobby!! I learned to paddle when I was 12-13 years old @ Buffalo Mountain Camp on the lower Nolichucky River and the Nantahala River.


    Kevin Brown - Missoula, USA

    First, I simply wanna have fun. Beyond that I'm passionate about pushing the sport forward. I feel whitewater kayaking has huge potential for new creative ideas, which will draw new people to the sport. (example: boat design, graphics, equipment, style, new tricks etc...)