Team JK welcomes Joel Kowalski to the Team!

Joel was a toddler when I met him at Joe and Sue’s house (owners of
Wilderness Tours and Ottawa Kayak School) back in the day. He got to attend
Ottawa Kayak School when he was 13 years old and was soon a regular on the
Ottawa. By the time he and Nick Troutman (his best friend), were 16 years
old he was a member of the Canadian Freestyle Team and headed for Australia.
Joel is on a rocket ride in his skills development and is unbelievable to
watch on the big waves of the Ottawa. His smooth style and quiet nature on
the water are understatements that make you do the double take once he hits
the wave. Joel brings much more than just on the water skills to the table
for Team JK. He has spent tons of time working on his video making skills
and his Fun Barn Productions is not only a hobby but will bring lots of fun
video to the Jackson Kayak website for your viewing pleasure.

Joel is an accomplished instructor, now coaching for World Class Kayak
Academy, with his next semester in China. This past semester Joel was in
Mexico and got to follow Nick’s footsteps in running some of the Alceseca
River sections that we did this fall.

It is a pleasure for me to have "Joe’s kid", now a young adult, part of Team
JK.

Welcome Joel!

Here is what Joel has to say about Joel:

Joel Kowalski

6’1”
185 lbs
18 years of age
Kayaking since: Age 13
Hometown: McCoy Chute near Beachburg, Ontario, Canada
Favorite play: The Ottawa
Favorite creek: The Alceseca

Occupations:

Keener Program Coach
World Class Kayak Academy coach
Ottawa Kayak School instructor
Student
Video boater
River guide
Safety boater
Snowboard instructor

I am:

-In love with Kayaking
-Driven
-Creative
-Competitive

Heroes:

-My Dad
-Steve, my brother-in-law
-Nick T.

Accomplishments and Awards:

-Invited to China with World Class Kayak Academy as an intern
-2006 Canadian team first alternate
-Promoted to Keener Coach
-Surfed Gladiator
-2005 North American Junior Champ
-First Aid and CPR certified
-Swiftwater Rescue Technician
-Became an Ottawa Kayak School instructor
-2004 Canadian Team member
-2003 Canadian Team member

Rodeo Results:

2006:
6th Canadian Team Trials
1st Lachine Rodeo

2005:
1st Canada Cup (Jr.)
1st Blackwater Challenge (Jr.)
4th Lachine Rodeo
3rd Chambly Rodeo
9th World Championships (Jr.)

2004:
1st Canadian Team Trials (Jr.)
14th Pre-Worlds (Jr.)

2003:
3rd east coast canadian team trials (Jr.)

Sponsors:

Jackson Kayak
Ottawa Kayak School
Level Six
H20 Paddles
Snap Dragon

Featured In:

Video:

Aspen-Snowmass’ "Mountain Town"
The B.east
Enter the Donkey
LVM
Keener Promo Video
Wilderness Tours staff videos

Print:

American Whitewater
Rapid Magazine
Ottawa Kayak School brochures
Wilderness Tours Brochure
Keener Program Advertisements
LevelSix gear hangtags
2006 World Cup brochure
2007 World Championships Brochure

Internet:

h20paddles.com
ottawakayak.com
keeners2006.blogspot.com
stbkayaking.blogspot.com
worldfreestylechampionships.com
levelsixinc.com
egcreekin.blogspot.com
wildernesstours.com

TV:

-Toronto 1 Morning News
-Omni 2 News for pool demos @ Toronto Sportsman Show,
-The New R.O. News
-TVO Adventure Sports
-Swap TV