I learned to canoe as a child in Minnesota because that is what one does when surrounded by 10,000 lakes. I switched to competitive sports in high school and college before moving to Los Angeles for graduate school in physics. It was there, after finishing my Master's degree, that I discovered kayaking on a camping trip off Catalina Island. I fell in love with the swells and the freedom and shortly after chose to build a life around this new joy.
I learned to sea kayak through classes at UCLA's Marina Aquatic Center where I also started my teaching career. I eventually headed up the program after receiving my American Canoe Association certification. I also began kayak surfing, playing kayak polo, and paddling whitewater. After returning from the 2006 Kayak Polo World Championships I took a new job outside Sacramento, CA running the flatwater and whitewater programs for California Canoe & Kayak.
While there, I became an Instructor Trainer in both Whitewater and Coastal Kayaking, wrote instructional articles for magazines, and taught at various Symposiums on the West Coast. In 2009 I began my Paddle California blog and the following year released my full-length kayaking DVD of the same name. I have also produced two DVD's for Helen Wilson: Simplifying the Roll and Yoga for Outdoor People.
In 2013 I moved to the Mendocino Coast with my wife (she padles too) and dedicated myself to my new career as a writer. In 2015 I released A Paddler's Journey, my memoir following my path from novice kayaker to seasoned expert. An excerpt was featured in the Writers of Mendocino Anthology Mixed Waters. I continue to teach part time - instructor certification courses are my favorite - and paddle for pleasure whenever I can. Look for me on the water and in the bookstores.
Bryant Burkhardt
Paddling Highlights
2014 Isle of Skye, Scotland
2013 U.S. Nationals Kayak Polo - Open Division Champions
2013 Relocated to Mendocino, CA
2012 Lost Coast of California in 4 days
2012 Rubicon River
2011 Channel Islands - Northern Four
2010 Released 'Paddle California' DVD
2009 Solo Circumnavigation - Moresby Island, Haida Gwaii
2009 Middle Fork of the Feather River
2009 ACA Intructor Trainer - Whitewater and Coastal Kayaking
2008 Mendocino Coast, CA
2007 Gauley River, West Virginia
2007 Tuolumne River - Cherry Creek section
2007 Relocated to Folsom, CA
2006 Kayak Polo World Championships - Amsterdam
2005 U.S. Nationals Kayak Polo - Open Division Champions
2005 Ecuador - whitewater kayaking
2002 Santa Barbara Island - 96 miles in 48hrs
2002 U.S. Kayak Polo Nationals - last place
2001 Whitewater kayaking - Kern River
2001 Kayak Polo - UCLA Club
2000 Kayak surfing - Topanga, CA
1999 Prince William Sound, Alaska
1997 First time Kayaking - Catalina Island
