Skills Sessions Leader

Jane Hardy has been a club leader for several years, taking the role of President in the past, leading trips to exotic places, and more recently overseeing our Skills Sessions. She has trained extensively, has kayaked and hiked all over the world (see “Kayaker of the Year” article by scrolling down on the home page), and paddles on Wednesday mornings and the annual New Year’s Day paddle out of La Jolla Shores. 

Paddle Coordinator

Dave Beckmann began canoe paddling in the mid-70s with the Boy Scouts, at Mead Base in Holderness, N.H.. There, he paddled 50 and 100-mile trips on Squam Lake and Lake Winnipesaukee. He also paddled a 100-mile river trip down the Pemigewasset and Merrimack rivers from Holderness down to Manchester. He purchased his first sea kayak in 2006 and began learning skills unique to kayaking. That same year, he stepped in to organize a group of mixed skill level kayakers that still regularly paddles on Wednesday nights. A few years later, he joined the San Diego Kayak Club. He enjoys helping to get kayakers out on the water, paddling adventures,  practicing, and learning new skills.

Social Events Coordinator

A member of SDKC since 2016, Debbie Van Martin has enjoyed meeting so many other wonderful members while paddling the beautiful waters of San Diego and throughout Southern California along with providing local support for the club.

As the Social Event Coordinator, Debbie is passionate about creating opportunities for the San Diego Kayaking Club’s gatherings and promoting a fun and safe place as we continue to foster positive experiences for all. For questions and event suggestions, please contact Debbie at <Debbie.VanMartin1 at gmail.com>.

Website/Email Questions

Chris Griffith has been paddling the waters of Southern California for the past 10+ years and is BCU 3 Star paddler. He enjoys spending time on the water discussing paddling, technology, or his twins.

For questions or comments about this website, the club’s emails and newsletters, contact Chris at: <chris.griffith at gmail dot com>

Safety/Contributing Editor

Jay Murdock has kayaked since 2005 as a member of SDKC, has led paddles in Southern California, and kayak / backpack trips in Alaska and the Sierras. He has kayaked in Mexico, canoed the 50 mile Lake Chelan in Washington, river rafted in Utah, Idaho, California, Colorado, and Alaska, and was an instructor with Summit Expeditions (now Summit Adventure), which offers courses similar to Outward Bound. He designed our club hats and T-shirts, and oversees the free-to-new-members “Beginner’s Classes” offered by the club and Aqua Adventures.