ABOUT US
Once upon a time… there was a qajaq-rolling junkie, who met a qajaq-rolling fool. We had so much fun, we decided to wrap our heads and hearts around the idea that we would paddle, roll, and teach, all around this big blue ocean planet… if you would like, join us, or have us join you! See you on the water!
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Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson are sole partners in Kayak Ways LLC, a venture based on the notion that the traditional kayaking skills and tools of the Inuit seal catchers offer valuable lessons for the modern day recreational kayaker, and that the best way to develop these techniques is to try them out for yourselves.
In the past years, we have traveled far and wide, to Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Patagonia and countless other locations, as well as the near and far corners of the United States, sharing what we know with other paddlers of widely divergent backgrounds and skills. We have grown as mentors through these experiences.
We moved to Brownfield, Maine in 2005 and have been living in and renovating a 150 year old barn that is now the center of our water and snow lives, as well as our "living the dream" kayak-building studio. Come visit!
CHERI PERRY
Cheri is a world renowned teacher of capsize maneuvers. She is very skilled at breaking down a variety of rolls in a systematic way that makes it easy to learn. She spends a fair amount of time on the ground giving the roller clear instructions on how their body interacts with the kayak and what roller needs to do with their paddle and body to complete a roll. She is a co-author, with Turner Wilson, of “This is the Roll” and “This is the Roll 2” videos, produced by Justine Curgenven. She has competed in the Greenland National Championships and has taught at many symposiums worldwide.
Photo by Noah Waller Slisz.
TURNER WILSON
Turner Wilson has been a skinny sticker for over 20 years, and is one of those rare paddlers outside of Greenland who began paddling with a traditional blade.
Turner has also participated in the Greenland National Kayaking Championships, and he has demonstrated and taught Greenlandic kayaking techniques worldwide. With previous careers in art, woodworking, and an interest in vernacular architecture as background, Turner also builds custom Greenland-style skin on frame qajaq, paatit, and norsaq.
LIZ JOHNSON
Liz truly enjoys helping others build confidence and skills while learning to assess conditions in outdoor environments. She is a Registered Maine Sea Kayak Guide, ACA Instructor, and has British Canoeing and International Sea Kayak Guides Association certifications. In winter, Liz has worked as a PSIA alpine instructor and adaptive skiing volunteer.
NICK OYLER
Nick began paddling 20+ years ago as a teenager in Richmond, VA. Over the years, Nick has developed a passion for the skill and finesse of Greenland rolling. As an ACA instructor, Nick enjoys coaching in a wide variety of settings and he particularly enjoys helping others progress towards their rolling goals.