Mission Statement: SherriKayaks Outdoor Programs exists to promote participation in human-powered outdoor leisure activities, primarily kayaking, canoeing, and primitive camping.  We offer safe, enjoyable, expert instruction in outdoor skills for people of all ages and abilities in a manner that reflects a respectful and caring attitude toward the natural environment.  We want to help people re-establish a connection with the outdoors by teaching skills that will allow them to feel safer and more comfortable when recreating in the outdoors.

Sherri Mertz, owner and lead instructor for SherriKayaks, is a sea kayaker, whitewater kayaker, and canoeist with over 20 years of paddling experience.  She has been a kayak instructor since 1998 certified by both the British Canoe Union (BCU) and the American Canoe Association (ACA).

• BCU 4-Star Sea Kayaker, 1997
• BCU Coach 2 Sea Kayak, 1998
• ACA Level 4: Open Water Coastal Kayak Instructor, 1999
• ACA Rolling Instructor Endorsement, 2001
• ACA Level 2: Essentials of Touring Canoe Instructor, 2003
• ACA Adaptive Paddling Endorsement, 2006
• ACA Level 3: River Kayak Instructor, 2008
• Wilderness Medical Associates First Responder since 2005

Sherri has a degree in physical education and has worked as a teacher, environmental educator, camp counselor, program director, camp director, and kayak instructor/guide. In 2000, she took a job as the camping and paddlesports department manager at Laacke & Joys, an outdoor store located on the Milwaukee River in downtown Milwaukee, WI.  She started the Adventure Education Program for the store and ran it for the next eight years before leaving to start SherriKayaks Outdoor Programs in spring 2009.

An avid traveler, Sherri has paddled in 16 different states including Hawaii and Alaska, and in Canada and The Bahamas.  She kayaks year-round on Lake Michigan and enjoys taking wilderness camping trips with her kayak.

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