Kent Ford

Kent Ford's highly acclaimed books, videos and instruction have made him one ofkent the most recognized paddlers in paddlesport worldwide. Kent's unique background includes twenty years of international whitewater racing and coaching, combined with similar experience teaching recreational boating to all levels of paddlers. His eighteen dvds, videos, and books on paddlesports have influenced the education of half a million paddlers.

As an instructor trainer, Kent provides paddlers and prospective instructors a framework for better understanding paddling technique, theory, and safety. These observations are adapted from the same training regimens and analyis utilized by World Champion freestyle and slalom competitors. It is all shared in an invigorating class atmosphere, designed to so everyone in the group is able to contribute and flourish.

Kent's paddling resume includes ten years as an instructor and several as manager for the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which is the largest canoe/kayak school in the World. A member of the U.S. Whitewater Team almost every year since 1977, Kent posted several top 7 finishes in World Championships and was twice World Champion in C-1 slalom team. He worked as the public address announcer at the last five Olympics and several World Championships. Kent has worked as an assistant coach for the Whitewater Slalom World Championships and as head Coach for the US Junior Team.

Kent is the technical producer of eighteen instructional books and videos known worldwide as the best instructional videos in outdoor sports. These include: The Kayak Roll, The River Runner's Edge, Performance Sea Kayaking, Whitewater Self Defense, Solo Playboating!, and Performance Mountain Biking.

A veteran of over 330 rivers in 27 countries, Kent has been a member of expeditions to the Soviet Union, Costa Rica, Turkey, and Mexico. Kent has served on the governing boards of the American Canoe Association, American Whitewater, San Juan Citizen Alliance, and launched the highly successful Green Business Roundtable in his own community.

Kent holds a BS. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and resides in Durango, Colorado.

“On the river and off, you would be pressed to find a single individual from the canoe/kayak world that has more positively affected people's participation in the sport. As an ambassador, decorated instructor, announcer, and video producer, he genuinely connects with people from every corner of the paddlesports industry and is always found as a part of any effort that brings the sport together.” Joe Jacobi, Color Analyst, Canoe/Kayak, NBC Olympics

Inductee- International Whitewater Hall of Fame (2008)