Our instructional program teaches the methods of former Olympian and World Freestyle Champion Eric Jackson (“EJ” to those who know him) and it represents the most recent teaching techniques and technical knowledge available in whitewater paddling today. Furthermore, by limiting our class sizes to a 5:1 student to instructor ratio, we provide the smallest classes with the most personalized instruction on the river. VMKS instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association as well as personally trained by Eric Jackson.
Director of Valley Mill Kayak School and manager of Valley Mill Boats. Jim started paddling in June of 1992. He has been instructing since May of 1994.
Jim’s favorite quote: “Kayaking is FUN!”
Favorite River: The Potomac
“The Potomac has everything a kayaker could ask for- from class 1 to class5 rapids in a two mile section of river, from Great Falls to Anglers Inn. It is the best river to learn on because of it’s diversity, easy access, and year ’round paddling season.”
Favorite River Experiences- I enjoy competing in freestyle, and squirtboating. I competed in the US National Freestyle Championships during the Teva Tour of 2001- that was an amazing experience ! I also love anytime I run Great Falls with my friends, or paddling the Gauley in the fall- good times! I think river running with your friends encompasses all the greatest aspects of kayaking.
Years Kayaking: 4
Favorite Kayaking Experiences: So far…
The friends I have made.
Cleaning crack in a rock, time warp and the boof at national on the Upper Yough on my 2nd run down the river.
Driving 30 miles south of Canada to The Black on a whim to wake up the next day to one of the best play spots on the east coast (Inner City Strife) at an absolutely perfect level!
Favorite River:
Haven’t paddled a river yet that I didn’t love at the end of the day! I love paddling ANY river.
Favorite Kayaking Quote:
Kayaking is unequivocally the best excuse I have found to continue to play outside in the woods forever!
Favorite paddling experiences :
- Anytime Maryland Chute is at 3.7′
- First night in Costa Rica for a boating trip and experiencing a 6.4 earthquake.
- Running the upper Jondachi in Equador with over 180 rapids counted in a 6 mile run.
- Running a rapid on the Jatate river in Chiapas, Mexico after the local fishermen said that we would die if we ran the rapid.
- Running the Cheat Canyon at 12′-0″(at Albright Bridge) in a WS Siren.
- Running the slot (river left) at Iron ring (Upper Gauley) at a super low water run.
- Learning my first cartwheel on the Lower Yough at the hole located past the usual take out.
Jim started whitewater kayaking in the spring of 2000. He was thirty nine years old. Since then, he has been paddling at least four or five times a week, year around. Jim is an avid freestyle kayaker. Although he loves to run rivers, his favorite pass time is practicing his freestyle moves right here on the Potomac River. Jim enjoys competing in local freestyle events. His first competition was the 2003 Potomac Whitewater Festival, where he took third in the men’s beginner class. In 2004 he won the Festival’s beginner class and also placed second in the Maryland Chute-Out Series men’s B class. In 2005 Jim got bumped up to the men’s expert class for the Potomac Whitewater Festival, he competed for his very first time in a hydraulic called S-Turn and was amazed to walk away with first place. Despite his win at the festival, Jim was allowed to finish out the season’s Maryland Chute-Out Series in the men’s B class, which he won. At the 2006 Potomac Whitewater Festival, in a stiff competition, Jim accomplished one of the highlights of his kayaking career, when he tied one of his paddling idols for second place in the men’s expert class. That same year and again the following year, Jim won the Maryland Chute-Out Series men’s A class. Another highlight for Jim was when, in 2007, the world champion freestyle kayaker and Valley Mill Kayak School instructor trainer, Eric Jackson, taught Jim to run the Maryland Line of Great Falls in his freestyle kayak (playboat). Jim enjoys sharing his love for freestyle and kayaking in general. He was certified by the ACA as a whitewater instructor in 2005 and has been teaching for Valley Mill since then. In addition to teaching for Valley Mill, since 2005, Jim has been volunteering weekly as an instructor and trip leader for a charity group, called Team River Runner, that takes wounded soldiers recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center out kayaking.
Monique Hubshman-bio to appear soon
Years paddling- 6
Favorite Rivers; Upper Yough, Lower Gauley
Favorite paddling; playboating, running rivers, and attaining
Favorite quote: Why kayak? It clears the head!
I started boating in during the summers of 1987-89 as a kid at Valley Mill Camp, learning to paddle on the Potomac and Yough (and learning to swim on the Savage brrrrrrr). In 1997 I picked it up again when I moved back to DC after college. In 2000 I got my
ACA certification and started teaching for Valley Mill. During the summers. I run the MD Chute Out freestyle competition series, and help run the Potomac Whitewater Festival. When I’m not boating I’m behind a computer building and running Web sites.
Favorite rivers:Potomac, Big Sandy, Yough, Gauley, Ottawa
What I like about kayaking:There’s always something new to have fun with…freestyle, running rivers, creeking, racing, competing, etc. There’s always a new river or a new water level or a new move. And here in DC it’s easy to just pop into the Mather Gorge for a quick run.
Matt Springer-bio to appear soon
Age 50, profession when not kayaking: Trial Lawyer.
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Former competitive swimmer
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Former OCBP lifeguard
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CPR Certified
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8 years of open water paddling experience on the tidal Potomac, tidal Rappahannock, Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean
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4 years of white water paddling experience: Rivers Paddled: Potomac, Upper Yough, Cheat, Upper, Middle and Lower Gauley.
Purposeful movement through chaotic turbulent water and rocks is a metaphor for problem solving in everyday life. The tight little plastic boat and a sturdy paddle are a passport to self-discovery and reconnecting with nature. My favorite type of paddling is in big turbulent white water and big wave riding either on the river or in the ocean. The thrills of overcoming fear, learning new moves, understanding new concepts, getting from point A to point B with improved perception and coordination of movements is what made childhood discoveries and accomplishments so thrilling. White water lets you be the triumphant kid all over again. It is you and the elements and your movement through them. The connection between your activity and the environment is immediate and pure. Time spent this way needs no philosophical justification; it is self-justifying; it is good in and of itself. The Potomac from Great Falls to the tidal waters is a natural treasure and a spiritually empowering and restorative place. Kayaking is not for everyone, but if you love the moving water and the thrill of staying in control in the midst of chaos, if you love the charge of an adrenaline rush and the triumph of overcoming your fear of a place, a situation, an event; it may be for you. Come out and give it a try; we’ll take good care of you.
