White Water Learning Center of Georgia’s instructors are experienced whitewater enthusiasts who love to teach. They have been chosen to participate in WWLC’s teaching program because they want to create a quality experience for those eager to learn or improve paddling skills. Although we have access to excellent teaching sites, the Center is a concept, not a place. Its purpose is to bring together those desiring to learn river skills in a safe and structured environment with the top professional ACA-certified instructors in Georgia-- instructors who are dedicated to meeting the individual needs of students, promoting river safety and increasing environmental awareness. Following are the credentials of some of the instructors who teach in our program:

Bruce Williams, founder of WWLC, has been canoeing and kayaking since 1979. He became an American Canoe Association-certified whitewater kayak instructor in 1986. Since then he has achieved Instructor Trainer rank and has certified in whitewater canoe (both solo and tandem) and in advanced swiftwater rescue. He is the former Director of Kayak Training for the Georgia Canoeing Association and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder. He has paddled the Grand Canyon, the upper Gauley, and rivers in Nepal, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

Brent Coleman has been paddling for sixteen years and has been a certified white water kayak instructor for nine of those years. He has taught  for the Georgia Canoeing Association, and since becoming a certified swiftwater rescue instructor, has organized river safety and rescue courses for the Atlanta Whitewater Club, of which he is a past-President. He is certified in Wilderness Advanced First Af. He has paddled most of the challenging runs in the Southeast.

Joane Farrell began her paddling career many moons ago as a raft guide and camp counsellor. She was an open canoe and C-1 paddler for many years but now paddles kayak exclusively. She has been certified in whitewater kayak for  many years and is a Wilderness First Responder. Several years ago she did the Grand Canyon. Joane is an elementary school art teacher and helped get our kids summer kayak camp program off the ground in 1998.

Jay Balestrine began teaching kayaking with WWLC after becoming certified in 2003. He is active in the Atlanta paddling community and is a past vice president of the Atlanta Whitewater Club. He spends most weekends in the summer camped out in his Airstream trailer near the Ocoee but heads to Section IV of the Chattooga when it is up. 

Mike Kennedy has been an instructor for seven years. He likes to paddle big water like Section IV of the Chattooga, Tallulah Gorge, the Green Narrows and the Upper Gauley. He has helped with both basic river and beginning whitewater classes.

Jamie Smith has been a whitewater kayak instructor since 2002. He lives in Tennessee and does most of our  private instruction on the Hiwassee River.  He worked as a manufacturers' rep for several paddling equipment companies for several years and now is a high school band teacher.

Marvine Cole is a veteran canoeist and is past president of the Georgia Canoeing Association.  Originally from Texas, she returns to do marathon races with her three sisters. Marvine is certified as an Advanced Whitewater Canoe Instructor.

Jay Manalo has been paddling for six years and has been certified in whitewater kayak for three years. He is active in the University of Georgia outdoor recreation program and has helped teach Atlanta Whitewater Club swiftwater rescue workshops. He is a Wilderness First Responder.  

Dave Hickman has been teaching and guiding  for over 12 years. He would teach even more whitewater kayak classes if he didn’t have to work most Saturdays.

Tom Bishop has been kayaking for eight years and was whitewater certified in 2006. He is a high school teacher and was the main assistant instructor in our kids camp in 2006. His daughter did our camp in 2001. 

Kevin Owen was certified in 2006 and has taught in our adult whitewater kayak program. He and his twin brother are in the process of building a Christian summer camp that will include kayaking activities in Blue Ridge where he lives.

Roger Huff has been paddling for three years and is currently the vice president of the Atlanta Whitewater Club. He became a kayak instructor last year and has assisted in our basic river kayak and whitewater kayak programs.