Exploring Life & Business with Jeff Pilgrim of Pilgrim Paddles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Pilgrim. Their team share their story with us below:

Jeff is the Navigator for Pilgrim Paddles. Jeff first canoed in a 15’ Grumman in 1967. As part of the Penn State Outing Club (PSOC) he raced in whitewater kayak and canoe slalom, ran downriver races, and instructed beginning paddlers. His first sea kayak paddle was in 1975. He has a bachelor’s degree in Forest Science from Penn State, and if he can’t identify a tree or shrub by family, genus, and species in Latin, he’ll gladly make it up. He minored in Watershed Management and spent many years pretending to be a software engineer.

Jeff guided in Maine for the BSA, trained camp staff and served as the Aquatics Chair for Gamehaven Scouting of SE MN, and teaches BSA Paddle Craft Safety. Some claim he’s been certifiable for years, but only by the American Canoe Association since 2005. Jeff paddled many rivers and led numerous trips from Virginia to Maine before moving to Minnesota in 1992. Since then he’s paddled on the North Sea, the Arctic Ocean, and many places in between. He has also built and outfitted about 125 kayaks and canoes.

Jeff is ACA certified to teach canoe, kayak and SUP, and holds Coastal Kayak Trip Leader and Adaptive Paddling endorsements. He’s been a safety boater for Midwest paddling events such as the Two Harbors Sea Kayak Festival and Quarry Hill’s Fall Festival, instructed at Rapids Riders CanoeU, and for Rochester and Hastings Community Education, and is current in First Aid and CPR.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Physical challenges such as one shoulder subluxation, one dislocation; finger issues, fungus growth platform. Time challenges such as raising two children. And relocating to the midwest didn’t help.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pilgrim Paddles?
Pilgrim Paddles advocates fun, skillful, efficient, and safe paddling. We offer certified paddling instruction in canoe, kayak, and standup paddleboard (SUP) as well as paddling tours and trips in the Rochester area and beyond. We love small groups and training for those leading youth groups. All of our employees are certified by appropriate organizations.

We do what clients need. Want a boat fixed or customized? or to do it yourself? We coach, we advise, we start by figuring out where you are and understanding what you want and need. Most clients engage in several sessions, and many become good friends.

What are your plans for the future?
Pilgrim Paddles has reduced maximum session sizes from 5 to 3. Because of the cost and difficulty in maintaining certifications, the future might be maintaining the status quo or scaling back. Paddleboard is likely to be the first discipline to be dropped. Most interest is in and continues in kayaking though canoe is the preferred vessel.

Contact Info:

• Email: jeff@pilgrimpaddles.com
• Website: pilgrimpaddles.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimpaddles

Image Credits:
Jeff Pilgrim
Sue Meine
Jodi Olsen
Dan Griffen
Ian Ericksen