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Becoming
a kayak instructor is a process of evolution.
My paddling role models start with my mother, who's still boating
at 77; my paddling buddies, whom I can trust in any conditions
we dare to tempt; the ACA Instructor Trainers whose critique
sharpens my skills; and several amazing kayakers who've sparked
me to higher levels. I've given a special page to them - here.
Read my biography below, listing my certifications & affiliations,
then see what my students have to say about me. I 've used direct
quotes from e-mail feedback. Lastly, a publicist friend says
I should include my "press," all those publications
I'm mentioned in, or have authored.
Photo: Michele off Norwalk, New Year's Day.
Michele M. Sorensen
is an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified Coastal Kayak
Level 3 instructor. ACA requires re-certification every four
years and participation in interim Instructor Updates. Michele was
re-certified in May 2006, and October 2002. She updated her
skills in April, 2006 and April 2000 by completing a Coastal
Kayak Instructor Development Workshop (IDW). In May, 1998 she
first became certified to teach Quickstart Paddling. The 2006
four day IDW/ICE was taught by Ben Lawry. She continued to develop
her skills through joint workshops with top instructors in 2007
and 2006: Core Paddling and Forward Stroke with Ben Lawry, Forward
Stroke and Race Coaching with Joe Shaw, and Traditional Rolling
with Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson. 2005 skill updates included
attending a stroke demo and paddle with Nigel Foster; conducting
two eskimo rolling clinics and a demo with Cheri Perry; and
co-leading three six-hour forward stroke clinics with racing
coach Joe Shaw.
A paddler since the age of five, Michele learned to row a dinghy
in Oyster Bay Harbor on Long Island. During college, she
became a proficient solo canoeist on ponds in western Massachusetts,
and a single sculler on the Charles River in Cambridge. She
began kayaking twelve years ago. Michele paddles an Impex
Mystic while teaching classes for traditional sea kayakers.
For sit-on-top kayak classes she uses a Heritage Sea Dart 14,
a sea-going, Greenland design sit-on-top. For tours, camping
and cross-Sound trips, she prefers her Valley Pintail, or Wilderness
Systems Tempest 165.
In the winter Michele has been a volunteer instructor for the
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) pool sea kayak rescue clinics
held from January through March. In spring of 2001 she successfully
completed the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills &
Seamanship Course. In January 2007 she completed the USCGAux
"VHF Radio Class for Small Boaters." She has taken
Red Cross First Aid and CPR training.
At right: Michele helping at an AMC pool session
For fifteen years (1985-2000) Michele was a part-time Environmental
Educator with Connecticut Audubon Society, teaching elementary
and middle school children and adults. She is a member
of the Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Educators' Association
and the Connecticut Botanical Society. Michele is an avid
birder, lepidopterist, herpetologist and botanist, with an interest
in native wild plants, including collectible edibles. See her
Long Island
Sound Bird List. You can also request her information
sheets on Harbor Seals, Winter Ducks, and "Butterflies
Found on Beaches" in the New York region.
A mother of four children and big sister to eight siblings,
she is a patient, thorough and enthusiastic instructor. Michele
is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and Harvard University.
Quotes from participants in Michele's classes and tours:
- I started Kayaking about 6 years ago by taking a course
from Michele. I then went on several day trips with Kayak
Adventure, her company. If you haven't taken her beginning
course, I highly recommend that you do. It will really jump-start
you in the sport and give you the basics to be both safe and
confident. Also, she rents a number of kayaks, so going on
a 3-4 hour paddlewill really give you a chance to get the
feel of any of the boats in her fleet. Also, Michele is an
excellent teacher and I guarantee you'll get
first class advise on any of her trips. - Dan O, March 2008
- Thank you so much for your wonderful instruction today.
I really had a great time and learned a lot. You are a fantastic
teacher. John C, August 2007.
- Thank you for the great day yesterday. I enjoyed the
lessons and advice on best practices, the paddle and the company.
I look forward to joining you on a tour soon. Sue J., August
2007.
- By the way, I really enjoyed the class on Saturday.
Each time we do something different, like paddling with a
swamped bow hatch, or with you on the back, or towing, makes
me more comfortable in the kayak and the more comfortable
I am, the more I relax, and the more I enjoy it, and the more
I want to get out there and learn more! :-) As we were doing
the Eskimo rescues I realized that I wasn’t even thinking
about it any more, I was just doing it. Before, I really had
to think about which leg to use, keeping my head back, etc.
Still a long way to go but it’s nice to feel that I’m
improving. Thank you!!! Monica H., August 2007.
- Great class! [Intro to Cold Water Kayaking]. Just a
note to say how much I enjoyed the class, and especially the
"lab" exercise on (underneath) the water. The course
and material were great and of much practical importance.
Greg L., October 2006
- I think your approach of caution, and emphasis on the
risk of kayaking, is priceless. I am proud of myself getting
wet, trying to enter and self-rescue my "wreck"
kayak. I never could have done that on my own, or from reading
a book. Jim M., September 2006
- The Forward Stroke class was just what I needed to take
and extremely helpful. I could see & feel
what was right and wrong. Megan R., July 2006
- I just wanted to send my sincere thanks to you for a
wonderful Saturday on the water. I'm really glad I took the
Quickstart Kayak again to refresh my memory and sharpen some
skills. Your knowledge of and enthusiasm for kayaking are
amazing, and your sunny disposition is definitely contagious!
Sara and I will surely be back to take a tour with you in
the near future. Thanks again!
Lisa D., CT, April 2006
- I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed Sunday's
class and tour. It was a pleasure meeting others in the club
and you did a great job of keeping the group cohesive. As
a beginner I felt "well cared for," but also knew
that you expected me to give it my all. Thank you for that!
I appreciate your instruction style and look forward to more.
- Laurie L., CT, November 2005
- Your attention to detail is impressive. I admire your
expertise, hardiness and enthusiasm. - Claudio F., NY, November
2005
- Many warm thanks for graciously hosting the Joe Shaw
clinic today. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the
organization, the level of instruction. I've always thought
you to be one of the most prepared and qualified instructors
I've come across - a true ambassador to the sport. - Mark
C., CT, July 2005
- I feel I owe you an enormous debt of gratitude for teaching
me so much and for enabling me to take part in what was one
fantastic adventure. Never did I think I'd be crossing Long
Island Sound. I never could have done it withour your most
capable guidance in teaching me the techniques and safe kayaking
rules I've learned over the past year. There were several
times during the crossing when I wished I could freeze time.
I simply can't put into words how much I enjoyed it. - Joe
G., CT, July 2005
- As usual, the programs you make available to us are
top-notch. The information and skills I learned in a very
short time will have a lasting effect on kayaking for me.
Thank you for putting on the Forward Stroke Clinic and also
for your support in the water with us. - John F., NY, July
2005
- Thanks for the great lesson on Sunday. I was impressed
with your ability both to maintain patience but to assert
authority and firmness, particularly when you were helping
D. with her wet exit. - Barry T., CT, June 2005
- I always learn something from your demos and today was
no exception. Thank you for an excellent presentation! You
were great. I loved the way you were able to hop up on the
boat at the beginning. You are an inspiration to the rest
of us that age doesn't necessarily mean immobility. - Jean
T., CT, February 2005
- You are an amazing teacher - firm and no-nonsense, yet
completely compassionate - a perfect combination. - Jon C.,
CT, September 2004
- Thanks so much for an incredible day and evening. I
learned a lot and in a way that always made me feel good.
You are a great teacher. - Olivier G., NY, August 2004
- Thanks so much for organizing this trip. The day was
perfect, the company was great and you were the perfect hostess.
I had a wonderful time. - Jim G., CT, July 2004
- We just wanted to thank you again for yesterday's course.
Jo and I had a great time and we really enjoyed your patient
instruction. We learned alot of valuable information and it
was nice to try different boats and paddles. - R.D.
- I wanted to thank you again for the great lesson we
had on Saturday. You are very thorough and an experienced
instructor and I appreciated your insights on all the aspects
of kayaking. - L.L.
Publications and press:
New York Times Connecticut Weekly, June 24, 2007,
Elizabeth Maker, "A Guide to Summer," p.5.
Westport Minuteman, February 22, 2007, Helen A. Jankoski,
"Icy
Joys of Winter Kayaking", pp. B1-B2.
Good
Morning America, October 2, 2005. Televised interview
about my career change from investment banking to outdoor educator.
The Sunday Advocate, September 25, 2005, James Lomuscio,
"Ripple Effect," p. A3. About my role in organizing
SoundWaters' first Ship to Shore race.
Atlantic Coastal Kayaker, August, 2005, Tamsin Venn,
"Norwalk Islands, Connecticut," pp. 26-27. My tips
on seeing the islands, phone interview.
New York Times, Sunday, June 12, 2005, Abigail Sullivan
Moore, "Low Riders," Connecticut Weekly section. Interviewed
and quoted in article about kayak safety.
Connecticut Family Today, May-June 2005, interview with
Domenic Francese, "Paddle Your Way to Nirvana," pp.
12-13, including my photos (not credited).
Fairfield County Business Journal, May 9, 2005, interview
with David Toth, "Passions
& Profits,"" personal profile.
Natural Awakenings, May 2006, Michele Sorensen, "Kayak
Basics," pp. 22-23.
Connyak
Newsletter, May 2005, Michele Sorensen, "Newport Neck,"
pp. 3-5. About a kayak trip off Newport with my college-age
daughters.
Abaco Journal Islands Guide, April 2005, Michele Sorensen,
"Cruzn Abaco: Kayaking Around Scotland Cay," pp.18-19.
Greenwich Time, September 11, 2004, Harold Davis, "Woman
Exchanges Briefcase for a paddle," first business section
page.
Connecticut Post, September 28, 2003, Bill McDonald,
"Camping on the Norwalk Islands a Sound Escape," p.
2 of Autumn special. Includes my photo.
Connecticut Post, December 17, 2002, Bill McDonald, "Chill
Factor: Winter Can't Keep Sorensen, kayakers off water,"
p. D1+.
Connecticut Post, December 21, 2000, Photo by David Gunn,
"Hearty Souls - It's never too cold: Kayakers ...brave
cool weather and heavy rain to get in some exercise along the
Saugatuck River in Westport this week."
Connecticut Post, July 30, 2000, Eileen Fischer, "Women
Pick up Paddles for Fitness, Fun," p. C1+.
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