John started Northwest Kayaks out of his 10'x20’ garage in Kirkland, WA in 1979.  It remains the longest functioning composite kayak company still in business. His career, like many, started because he wanted to impress a girl. He saw a kayaker in the river and thought it was the coolest thing ever. In a matter of weeks, he rented a kayak mold from a local manufacturer and built his first white water kayak.  Brief highlights:

• 1977 purchased a kayak made in Mexico (Piranha Equip - $380)

• ordered another from a Boeing engineer. 

• ordered two more…after 8 months…never received…

• made a bet he could build one faster. Bought materials…designed own boat. 100% SELF taught….

• designed own boat…built a mold…started making boats and biz began…

• Northwest Kayaks still dominates outdoor industry for sea kayak touring outfitters

• built first two person sea kayak…worked with David Arcese 

• thats John and his wife in front of their van with some of his newly built kayaks in picture above (1982)