Joel Kowalski

Home: Ottawa River, Canada
DOB: Nov 7th 1988
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200lbs
Started Paddling: 2000
Countries Paddled: Canada, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, China, Uganda, Switzerland, Australia
Kayaks: Super Star, Mega Rocker, Super Hero
Website: joelkowalski.com

Joel Kowalski
By EJ

Joel was a toddler when I met him at Joe and Sue's house (owners of Wilderness Tours and Ottawa Kayak School) back in the day. He got to attend Ottawa Kayak School when he was 13 years old and was soon a regular on the Ottawa. By the time he and Nick Troutman (his best friend), were 16 years old he was a member of the Canadian Freestyle Team and headed for Australia. Joel is on a rocket ride in his skills development and is unbelievable to watch on the big waves of the Ottawa. His smooth style and quiet nature on the water are understatements that make you do the double take once he hits the wave. Joel brings much more than just on the water skills to the table for Team JK. He has spent tons of time working on his video making skills and his Fun Barn Productions is not only a hobby but will bring lots of fun video to the Jackson Kayak website for your viewing pleasure.

Joel is an accomplished instructor, now coaching for World Class Kayak Academy, with his next semester in China. This past semester Joel was in Mexico and got to follow Nick's footsteps in running some of the Alceseca River sections that we did this fall.

It is a pleasure for me to have "Joe's kid", now a young adult, part of Team
JK.

Welcome Joel!

Here is what Joel has to say about Joel:

Highlights

- Keener Program Coach
- Stakeout (2009)(Producer, Editor, Director, Filmer)
- Here & Now (2007)(Co-Producer)
- North American Champion (2008)
- 5th @ World Championships (2009)

Occupations:

Kayaker
Instructor (Ottawa Kayak School, Keener Program)
Graphic Designer

Competition Results:

2009:
5th World Championships, Thun Switzerland
1st Level Six Capital Cup, Ottawa Canada

2008:
1st North American Championships, Corner Wave Ottawa
3rd Canadian Team Trials

2006:
6th Canadian Team Trials
1st Lachine Rodeo

2005:
1st Canada Cup (Jr.)
1st Blackwater Challenge (Jr.)
4th Lachine Rodeo
3rd Chambly Rodeo
9th World Championships (Jr.)

2004:
1st Canadian Team Trials (Jr.)
14th Pre-Worlds (Jr.)

2003:
3rd east coast canadian team trials (Jr.)

Notable Expeditions:
- First Descent Rio Jalacingo, Mexico (Oct 2008)
- Niagara Gorge 2x, 2007 & 2008, Featured in Here & Now
- First Descent, Cloud River Gorge, Newfoundland, Featured in Hotel Charlie 3 (Oct 2007)

Sponsors:
- Jackson Kayak
- Ottawa Kayak School
- Level Six Gear & Apparel
- Smith Optics
- H20 Paddles

Featured In:

Video:
Stakeout
Hotel Charlie 3
Here & Now
Aspen-Snowmass' "Mountain Town"
The B.east
Enter the Donkey
LVM

Print:
Kayak Session Cover Summer 2008
Kayak Session "Stakeout" Article Fall 2008
Kayak Session "Gladiator" Article Summer 2009
American Whitewater "Keener Program" Article
Rapid Magazine
Ottawa Kayak School brochures
Wilderness Tours Brochure
Keener Program Advertisements
LevelSix gear hangtags
2006 World Cup brochure
2007 World Championships Brochure

Internet:
joelkowalski.com
keenerprogram.com
ottawakayak.com
keeners2006.blogspot.com
worldfreestylechampionships.com
levelsixinc.com
egcreekin.blogspot.com
wildernesstours.com