Meet Your Kayak Instructor

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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 age 80; my kayaking buddies, whom I can trust in any conditions we dare to tempt; and the ACA Instructor Trainers whose critique sharpens my skills. Fifty-five years of boating experience have taught me to put safety first. Seeing nature up close and feeling the calming rhythm of the sea brings me back for more. I love to share the skills I've learned so that others can enjoy paddling the Sound in small boats. Welcome to kayak adventure!

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 Coastal Kayak Instructor Development Workshops. In May, 1998 she first became certified to teach ACA Quickstart Paddling.

Michele continues skill development every year through joint workshops with top instructors: Core Paddling and Surf Clinic with Ben Lawry, Forward Stroke and Race Coaching with Joe Shaw, and Traditional Rolling with Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson. She led a 14 nautical mile crossing of LI Sound in July 2009 and completed the 12 nautical mile Lighthouse to Lighthouse Race in 3:12:20 in September '09 (photo above).

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 continued tandem canoeing on lakes, rivers and along the coast. She began kayaking fifteen years ago. Michele paddles a Current Designs Willow while teaching classes and leading day trips. For overnight and multi-day trips, she prefers the Necky Eliza or Chatham 17.

Photo at right: Michele in the port stern with her father, Joe Merkel, at the oars.

In the winter Michele is an instructor for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) pool sea kayak rescue clinics. In 2006 she used the winter to build a stitch & glue wooden tandem, the Shearwater Boats Eider, launched in August of that year (photo at bottom of page). In 2001 she completed the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills & Seamanship Course and in 2007 their VHF Radio Class for Small Boaters. She has taken Red Cross First Aid and CPR training.


At left: Michele teaching Rob & Gary 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. Michele is an avid gardener, birder, lepidopterist, herpetologist and botanist, with an interest in native wild plants, including collectible edibles. See her Long Island Sound Bird List.

A mother of four children, grandmother of two 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:

  • Just wanted to thank you for the great lesson yesterday, I had a blast. I'm so excited to practice everything that I learnt. - Dianne Major-Olivant, July 2010.
  • Dear Michele, It was a pleasure meeting you today. The session taught me that there is much more to learn and explore. It was a wonderful and educational experience and you sparked great interest in continuing to develop my kayaking skills. I admire your dedication, passion, patience and above all, your endless energy. Many thanks again! - Tomer Regev, May 2010.
  • Thank you for your great lesson this morning. We all had a good time, and feel that we learned a lot...I sent an email out to "our gang" praising you for your teaching style, and inviting them to try a pool session. - Gary and Ivy Strauss, January 2010.

  • I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the lesson last Sunday - as well as meeting you! I can't believe I learned so much in such a short time! - Gary Staab, January 2010.

  • Thank you again for such a great learning experience. It was just unbelievable! You were so professional and fun at the same time, and very good at what you do. - Mindy M., October 2008.

  • Michele, it was such a great outing, thanks to you! I so enjoyed it -- along with the peace and enrgy that being on the water brings. Pls keep me posted on other events that would be suitable for my level. - Elsa B., September 2008.

  • Thank you Michele for all you have taught me. It adds to the joy of life each and every time I enter the water in a kayak. - Tim C., April 2008.
  • 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 paddle will 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., 2003.
  • 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., 2003.



Publications and press:

The Norwalk Hour, May 30, 2010, John H. Palmer, "A Business Born From the Water." p. B1
"Lighthouse to Lighthouse Race Summaries - 2009", Mark Ceconi.
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+.