Other ACA Certified Training Resources in Tennessee
TSRA relies on ACA certified instructor volunteers to offer top notch paddling and rescue classes every summer. But many new boaters ask us for recommendations for where to go for training if — for whatever reason — the TSRA class calendar does not meet their needs.
We are happy to support our instructor volunteers and the other ACA certified instructors in our area to send them students who need something different than the TSRA calendar can provide.
Jessie and Vincent Finamore, Portland, TN
Jessie Finamore (dasboatgirl@gmail.com) is an ACA certified Level 2 River Kayaking instructor with an endorsement to teach adaptive paddling to paddlers with disabilities. She has also attended several sea kayaking symposiums. Jessie is available by appointment to help with lake or class I river skills.
Vincent Finamore (vinnymoonshine@gmail.com) is an ACA certified Level 2 River Kayaking instructor. He has also attended several sea kayaking symposiums. Vincent is available by appointment to help with lake or class I river skills.
Tiffany and Johnny Henderson, Columbia, TN
Tiffany Henderson (tiffany.henderson629@gmail.com) is an ACA certified Level 3 Whitewater Kayaking instructor. Tiffany prefers to work with aspiring whitewater paddlers and is available by appointment to help with whitewater (class II) river skills.
Johnny Henderson (jthenjr@gmail.com) is an ACA certified Level 2 River Kayaking instructor. Johnny prefers river paddling to lake paddling, and prefers whitewater rivers to class I rivers. Johnny is available by appointment to help with class I river skills and often joins forces with his wife Tiffany to help beginner whitewater paddlers, as well.
Renee Garside, Nashville, TN
Renee Garside (wadi.karate@yahoo.com) is a Level 4 Whitewater Kayaking instructor and a Level 3 Swiftwater Rescue instructor. She is the owner/operator of Middle Tennessee Kayaking Lessons (https://meetu.ps/c/2xjch/36nbt/a) on Meetup and (https://www.facebook.com/Middle-Tennessee-Kayaking-Lessons-824532344288698/) on Facebook. She offers year round lessons on both flatwater and whitewater, by appointment.
Ellen Omohundro, Gladeville, TN
Ellen Omohundro (k9omo@yahoo.com) is an ACA certified Level 2 River Kayaking instructor and a Level 2 Safety & Rescue instructor. She is passionate about teaching safety to beginners in Middle Tennessee. She is available by appointment to help with lake or class I river skills.
Katherine Fulk, Pegram, TN
Katherine Fulk (purplegardencat@yahoo.com) is an ACA certified Level 2 River Kayaking instructor and a Level 2 Coastal Kayaking instructor. She is terrific at teaching how to control your boat on slow moving rivers or on windy, crowded lakes. She is available by appointment to help with lakes and class I rivers skills.
Geoff Luckett, Mt. Juliet, TN
Geoff Luckett (tnkayakangler@yahoo.com) is an ACA certified Level 2 River Kayaking instructor and has an endorsement from the ACA to teach kayak fishing, as well. He is the founder of Tennessee Kayak Anglers and meets with students by appointment to work on lake or class I skills...or fishing!
Leslie Dunn, Castallian Springs, TN
Leslie Dunn (nashvillekayaklessons@gmail.com) is an ACA certified Level 1 Kayak instructor and certified to instruct Scouts throughout Tennessee. She has taught more than 2,300 beginning kayak students. Leslie also has an endorsement to teach adaptive paddling to paddlers with disabilities and authored the book Quiet Water Kayaking – A Beginner’s Guide. She is the owner/operator of Nashville Kayak Lessons (https://meetu.ps/c/bsZC/36nbt/a) on Meetup and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleKayakLessons/). Leslie teaches lessons April through October at her waterfront home on Bledsoe Creek in Castalian Springs, TN.
Tom Christensen, Old Hickory, TN
Tom Christensen (recinnovations@comcast.net) is an ACA certified Level 2 Coastal Kayaking instructor as well as a Level 2 River Kayaking instructor. He is available by appointment from May through October to help kayaking students learn paddling skills for lakes and slow moving rivers. Tom has paddled all over the world and has over 30 years experience teaching paddling and leading eco tours to help participants better explore the wonderful world of nature. BE THE DUCK!!!
Mike Tossing, Hendersonville, TN
Mike Tossing (m.tossing@hotmail.com) is an ACA certified Level 3 Whitewater Kayaking instructor and a Level 2 Instructor Trainer for River Kayaking. He is available by appointment to help with lake or river paddling skills or to get help with certifying as a River Kayaking instructor.
James “Woody” Woodall, Crossville, TN
Woody Woodall (tiltedrivers@gmail.com) is an ACA certified Level 2 Canoe instructor (solo and tandem) as well as a Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue instructor who frequently trains first responders in whitewater rescue techniques. He is available by appointment for rescue training or canoe skills.
Charlie Wilkerson, Dickson, TN
Charlie Wilkerson (ctwilkerson@outlook.com) is an ACA certified Level 3 Canoe instructor (solo and tandem) and a Level 3 Swiftwater Rescue instructor who frequently trains first responders in whitewater rescue techniques. He is available by appointment for rescue training or canoe skills