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About UsThe Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium was founded in Anchorage, Alaska in 1981 by a group of passionate paddlers. Many of those same people are involved today. I know, you do the math! Paul, our founder, is currently on sabbatical, adventuring and loving life. Others spend their retirement guiding wilderness photography expeditions while others stay close to home and are happy paddling with their friends and family.
Currently, the Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium is still plugging along, offering a one day free event in Anchorage. Our mission is to introduce people to sea kayaking and other water sports with a focus on teaching safety and stewardship. Are you passionate about paddle sports and want to get involved? We need new Board members and volunteers! Please contact us for more information about how you can help. |
Meet Our Board Members
Paul Twardock, Founder and President
Paul is a Professor and the Chair of Outdoor Studies Program at Alaska Pacific University. Paul has worked and taught at Alaska Pacific since 1988. He is the author of Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound. He founded the Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium and the Alaska Natural History Symposium.
His research includes studying over 200 campsites in Prince William Sound, monitoring them for impact, invasive species, and changes due to global warming.
Besides sea kayaking, his outdoor interests are nordic and Telemark skiing, running, whitewater canoeing/kayaking/packrafting, and extended wilderness trips. His trips include kayaking the length of the Alaska Peninsula, the first modern day kayaking expedition to the Shumigan Islands, and kayaking from Cordova to Homer the hard way. Paul is an active writer, for example writing for Sea Kayaker magazine. He teaches the business curriculum of Outdoor Studies and many of the core classes.
Paul is a Professor and the Chair of Outdoor Studies Program at Alaska Pacific University. Paul has worked and taught at Alaska Pacific since 1988. He is the author of Kayaking and Camping in Prince William Sound. He founded the Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium and the Alaska Natural History Symposium.
His research includes studying over 200 campsites in Prince William Sound, monitoring them for impact, invasive species, and changes due to global warming.
Besides sea kayaking, his outdoor interests are nordic and Telemark skiing, running, whitewater canoeing/kayaking/packrafting, and extended wilderness trips. His trips include kayaking the length of the Alaska Peninsula, the first modern day kayaking expedition to the Shumigan Islands, and kayaking from Cordova to Homer the hard way. Paul is an active writer, for example writing for Sea Kayaker magazine. He teaches the business curriculum of Outdoor Studies and many of the core classes.
Kimmer Ball, Secretary
Kimmer has been an adventurer since she was a ice climbing, backcountry skiing, kayaking, bird loving teenager. She worked as a sea kayaking guide in Alaska, Mexico, and Chile in her 20's.
Her love of the sport along with her passion for children has led her to becoming an educator - both in school and also in life's outdoor adventures.
Her mission is to teach a passion for the outdoors while instilling an awareness of safety and stewardship while adventuring. She has been a member of the Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium since its inception.
Kimmer has been an adventurer since she was a ice climbing, backcountry skiing, kayaking, bird loving teenager. She worked as a sea kayaking guide in Alaska, Mexico, and Chile in her 20's.
Her love of the sport along with her passion for children has led her to becoming an educator - both in school and also in life's outdoor adventures.
Her mission is to teach a passion for the outdoors while instilling an awareness of safety and stewardship while adventuring. She has been a member of the Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium since its inception.
Jim Lebiedz, Treasurer
Jim Lebiedz is a senior Civil Engineer and Surveyor for the Federal Aviation Administration in the Alaskan Region, and is a licensed professional Civil Engineer both in Alaska and California. He earned his bachelors degree from Villanova University and his master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, both in Civil Engineering.
After graduating from Villanova University, Jim was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps and was shipped off to McMurdo Station in Antarctica where he served as the engineering officer for Operation Deep Freeze. From there he went to the Naval Station at Treasure Island in San Francisco, the Public Works Center in Oakland, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, graduate school at Berkeley and his last assignment as the Resident Officer in Charge on Amchitka Island, part of the Aleutian Island chain of Alaska.
Jim fell in love with the wonders of the State of Alaska and moved to Kodiak after leaving the U.S. Navy. After a short stay in Kodiak, he moved to Anchorage where he found his current employment with the FAA. He has lived and worked in Alaska for the past 28 years.
He has worked as a board member and chairman of the construction committee for the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Anchorage, building homes for the less fortunate; become a certified Emergency Medical Technician II; an instructor and board member of the Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium; and is was the Executive Officer of the Alaska Disaster Medical Assistance Team. In May of 1996, Jim was chosen as the Federal Employee of the Year for Community Service by the Anchorage Federal Executive Association for his many volunteer efforts.
In 2012 he married Robin Brandt who he had met in New Mexico while on a photography trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Outside of work Jim enjoys nature photography, hiking, biking, motorcycle riding, camping, boating, kayaking, cross country skiing and taking his Newfoundland dog “Sammy” out for a walk. He is an active donor to Blood Bank of Alaska as a CMV negative “baby” donor. He has donated over 10 gallons of his O- blood saving many children’s lives.
For most of his adult life, Jim has been a motorcycle rider. He currently owns three Harley Davidson motorcycles and keeps one of them in southern California to ride in the winter as a break from the ice and snow of Alaska. He is currently the Director of the Alaska Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) that has over 350 members. Previously he was the Treasurer and Secretary of his local HOG Chapter. In 2013, he rode his motorcycle from Anchorage to Milwaukee with a few of his fellow riders, then from Milwaukee to Los Angeles with just four riders. In total over 7,200 miles ridden in less than 30 days!
Jim Lebiedz is a senior Civil Engineer and Surveyor for the Federal Aviation Administration in the Alaskan Region, and is a licensed professional Civil Engineer both in Alaska and California. He earned his bachelors degree from Villanova University and his master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, both in Civil Engineering.
After graduating from Villanova University, Jim was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps and was shipped off to McMurdo Station in Antarctica where he served as the engineering officer for Operation Deep Freeze. From there he went to the Naval Station at Treasure Island in San Francisco, the Public Works Center in Oakland, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, graduate school at Berkeley and his last assignment as the Resident Officer in Charge on Amchitka Island, part of the Aleutian Island chain of Alaska.
Jim fell in love with the wonders of the State of Alaska and moved to Kodiak after leaving the U.S. Navy. After a short stay in Kodiak, he moved to Anchorage where he found his current employment with the FAA. He has lived and worked in Alaska for the past 28 years.
He has worked as a board member and chairman of the construction committee for the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Anchorage, building homes for the less fortunate; become a certified Emergency Medical Technician II; an instructor and board member of the Alaska Sea Kayaking Symposium; and is was the Executive Officer of the Alaska Disaster Medical Assistance Team. In May of 1996, Jim was chosen as the Federal Employee of the Year for Community Service by the Anchorage Federal Executive Association for his many volunteer efforts.
In 2012 he married Robin Brandt who he had met in New Mexico while on a photography trip to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Outside of work Jim enjoys nature photography, hiking, biking, motorcycle riding, camping, boating, kayaking, cross country skiing and taking his Newfoundland dog “Sammy” out for a walk. He is an active donor to Blood Bank of Alaska as a CMV negative “baby” donor. He has donated over 10 gallons of his O- blood saving many children’s lives.
For most of his adult life, Jim has been a motorcycle rider. He currently owns three Harley Davidson motorcycles and keeps one of them in southern California to ride in the winter as a break from the ice and snow of Alaska. He is currently the Director of the Alaska Chapter of the Harley Owners Group (HOG) that has over 350 members. Previously he was the Treasurer and Secretary of his local HOG Chapter. In 2013, he rode his motorcycle from Anchorage to Milwaukee with a few of his fellow riders, then from Milwaukee to Los Angeles with just four riders. In total over 7,200 miles ridden in less than 30 days!
Cathy Hart and Eric Downey, Knik Canoers and Kayaker
Joseph E. McCullough, Alaska Office of Boating Safety, Educational Coordinator
Joe moved to Alaska in 1992 after visiting for the summer and falling in love with the ocean and the mountains. He has worked for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for 24 years, starting out as a volunteer in Kachemak Bay State Park.
Joe also worked as a park ranger in Anchor Point and on the Kenai River. He was hired as the Education Coordinator for the Alaska Boating Safety Program in 2002.
Joe loves teaching and is a nationally certified boating safety instructor, NSBC boat control instructor trainer, Alaska Police Standards Council instructor and an American Canoe Association instructor.
Joe was the recipient of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Boating Safety Award in 2006 and NASBLA’s Educator of the Year in 2012. He graduated with a B.A. Degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Joe lives in Anchorage with his wife and daughter, Noelle and Rebecca.
Joe moved to Alaska in 1992 after visiting for the summer and falling in love with the ocean and the mountains. He has worked for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for 24 years, starting out as a volunteer in Kachemak Bay State Park.
Joe also worked as a park ranger in Anchor Point and on the Kenai River. He was hired as the Education Coordinator for the Alaska Boating Safety Program in 2002.
Joe loves teaching and is a nationally certified boating safety instructor, NSBC boat control instructor trainer, Alaska Police Standards Council instructor and an American Canoe Association instructor.
Joe was the recipient of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Boating Safety Award in 2006 and NASBLA’s Educator of the Year in 2012. He graduated with a B.A. Degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Joe lives in Anchorage with his wife and daughter, Noelle and Rebecca.
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