Specialties
Pilgrim Paddles advocates fun, skillful, efficient, and safe paddling to locals and across the nation. We customize instruction to fit your needs and are open by appointment.
We offer certified paddling instruction in:
canoeing in solo and tandem on rivers and flatwater;
kayaking on rivers and flatwater;
standup paddleboard (SUP) on flatwater.
We also do paddling tours and trips, team building activities, and assessments for employers. We love small groups and training youth and those leading youth groups. We are also canine-friendly.
To schedule, send an email to Jeff@PilgrimPaddles.com telling us what you'd like to do, where, and when. Centered in Rochester, we have provided service in the midwest from Duluth to Decorah, and Madison to Mankato as well as other areas such as Texas, Kentucky, Michigan. You can use your boats, paddles' and lifejackets or the owner's when appropriate for no additional charge. See you on the water!
History
Established in 2005.
The Navigator at Pilgrim Paddles taught canoe and kayak for his college club, guided scouts in Maine, and was certified as an ACA instructor in 2005. Over time certifications in canoe, kayak and standup paddleboard have been achieved. ACA instructors are required to be current in Red Cross First Aid and in CPR. Now retired from the IT industry, limited instruction, repairs, and tours are available as other projects permit.
Meet the Business Owner: Jeff P.
Jeff is the Navigator for Pilgrim Paddles LLC. Jeff first canoed in a 15' Grumman in 1967. As part of the Penn State Outing Club (PSOC) he raced in whitewater kayak and canoe slalom, ran downriver races, and instructed beginning paddlers. His first sea kayak paddle was in 1975. He has a bachelor's degree in Forest Science from Penn State, and if he can't identify a tree or shrub by family, genus, and species in Latin, he'll gladly make it up. He minored in Watershed Management and spent many years pretending to be a software engineer.
Jeff guided in Maine for the BSA, trained camp staff and served as the Aquatics Chair for Gamehaven Scouting of SE MN, and teaches BSA Paddle Craft Safety. Some claim he's been certifiable for years, but only by the American Canoe Association since 2005. Jeff paddled many rivers and led numerous trips from Virginia to Maine before moving to Minnesota in 1992. Since then he's paddled on the North Sea, the Arctic Ocean, and many places in between.