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	Name: Dan York Location: Madison, Wisconsin, USA Sex: Male Birthday: 1958-09-25 Height: 5' 9" Weight: 165 lbs Types of boats you paddle (eg. kayak, raft, C-1, squirt, etc.): Liquidlogic CR125 as my new plaything/river runner; WS Ace 4.7 for really silly stuff and to remain humble...A Pyranha G:3 for multi-day trips, speed and cruising. First Season (year): 1978 Favorite Class: III Favorite Runs: Wolf Section IV, Peshtigo Roaring Rapids Section, Selway, Middle Fork of the Salmon

Personal info: I started long ago with home-built fiberglass boat (Thanks Dr. Whisnant at Northland College for use of the chem lab on weekends!). Then bought a Phoenix Wildfire--a classic fiberglass long boat (13'2"). Skipped the Dancer phase of the sport--never liked it ("Is this the best there is?"). Next boat was a Crossfire--my first great leap forward in technology and downward in length. Progressed to an RPM--loved it (lost another 2 feet of boat). Converted to new school boating by kayaking evangelist EJ. First new school boat was a Big EZ.

Over the past few years I've done some multi-day, self-contained trips that are my idea of whitewater heaven--a 5-day run on the Selway in 2004 and a 3-day run on Middle Fork of the Flathead in 2005. In 1999 I paddled the Middle Fork of the Salmon with an outfitter for truly luxurious wilderness tripping (how's that for an oxymoron?)

I love the new generation of boats--talk about fun--even on flatwater! My only regret is I wish all the boating innovations--both in boat design and technique--had happened about 15 years ago when my body and nerves could have handled it better. I paddle mostly in the Midwest, but have paddled a few times in the Southeast US, Rocky Mountains and Norway. Really enjoy a nice playful, forgiving Class III section, but also love the challenge of Class IV rapids. No real aspiration for Class V runs--just don't boat enough to give me that edge needed--and also have too much to think about in terms of my family.

Don't get to boat as much as I'd like due to family demands--am married (24 years!) to a wonderful woman who doesn't whitewater paddle (but loves flatwater canoeing) and now have 2 sons--ages 9 and 13. I'm doing my best to indoctrinate them into the sport--my oldest has started paddling whitewater (since he was 8) and now can handle beginner runs very well. Hope to do a family trip down the Salmon (Idaho) in a few years.

Was ACA certified as a whitewater kayaking instructor in 1989 and taught one summer for an outdoor program. I currently teach kayak rolling for a local paddling shop. Also studied, lived, worked, skied and kayaked in Norway for one year (part of my plan to stay in school as long as possible--which worked--12 years total in the college/university world!).

"Energywonk" refers to my profession--a research associate (policy "wonk") with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy--a non-profit group dedicated to improving the environment and economy through energy efficiency (a great way to save our rivers!). Am a recovering engineer (BME, U of Minn) and confirmed generalist (MS and PhD in environmental studies--energy analysis and policy--U of Wis-Madison).

Would love to connect with other boating dads and their kids. Drop me a line if you're in these parts.

Happy Trails! Water or otherwise....