My Story: ACA Instructor Trainer Jake Vitak
Welcome to Good Tides Kayaking with Jake! I moved to eastern NC in 2005 and fell in love with kayaking the marshes and islands in the area. I started teaching for the ACA in 2014 and became an Instructor Trainer in 2022. I have had the opportunity to teach in DE, GA, TX, and FL.
Inspired by the water, driven by joy
Good Tides Kayaking was born from a deep love for the water and the incredible positive impact recreational watersports have on people's lives. I am passionate about teaching new skills, exploring hidden gems in Eastern North Carolina, and watching our students and trip participants discover the sheer fun and accomplishment that comes with paddling.
Learn with Jake: Fun, interactive, and effective
What sets Good Tides Kayaking apart is Jake's unique and highly interactive approach to learning. We believe that mastering new kayaking skills should be an engaging and enjoyable experience. Whether you're a beginner or seeking advanced certification, Jaks’ expertise and lively teaching style make every lesson memorable and effective. We also provide high-quality kayaks, lifejackets, and essential gear for beginners, ensuring you have everything you need for a fantastic experience.
Jake is an ACA Instructor Trainer who makes a phenomenal paddling instruction impact in his work as a North Carolina State Park Ranger. His primary focus is teaching introductory paddlers and he also is a great leader as part of the ACA’s recently revitalized paddlecraft fishing program.
Jake has been instrumental in coordinating state and region-wide instruction efforts such as the “Kayaking 101” events hosted as part of National Safe Boating Week. He is also a big advocate for community building through paddling clubs.
Jake, we sincerely thank you for setting such a great example for ACA instructors and trainers worldwide! Everyone, please join me in congratulating 2023’s Excellence in Instruction recipient, Jake Vitak!
American Canoe Association
Instructor of the Month
For Jake Vitak, kayaking has always been more than just time on the water—it’s a way to teach, connect, and help others find confidence in paddling. His journey as an ACA instructor began in 2014 when he completed his Level 2: Essentials of Kayak Touring course through a U.S. Coast Guard grant. As one of ten North Carolina park rangers to complete the course with instructor Lance Elize, Jake used his certification to train fellow rangers to safely lead kayaking tours and programs across the state.
From those early days, his passion for paddlesports education only grew. At Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro, North Carolina, Jake developed a thriving kayak program that included public tours of the park’s marshes, hands-on kayaking lessons, and even a kids’ kayaking camp. He went on to host a paddling festival at the park for four consecutive years—an event that brought together paddlers and instructors from across the Southeast and introduced countless people to the sport.
Over the years, Jake has continued to expand his expertise and impact. He has since taught Instructor Development Workshops and Instructor Certification Exams for the Georgia River Network and several paddle clubs, helping new instructors find their footing in the paddling community.
Beyond instruction, Jake is a strong advocate for kayak angling education, having taught ACA Kayak Angling Endorsements in North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. He’s passionate about connecting with the large and enthusiastic kayak fishing community and providing them with the safety training and knowledge needed to make paddling both enjoyable and responsible.
Jake grew up in western Maryland and first paddled the Middle Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle as a teenager—a formative experience that sparked his lifelong love for kayaking. That spark turned into a career in 2013 when he began kayaking professionally with the North Carolina Park Service.
Today, Jake remains dedicated to growing paddlesports from the ground up. He believes that entry-level skills courses are the foundation of the kayaking world and works through state parks and initiatives like the ACA’s Kayaking 101 program to reach new paddlers. His goal is simple but profound: to help people make safe choices on the water and, along the way, inspire future ACA members, instructors, and paddlesports leaders.
Through his leadership, instruction, and mentorship, Jake Vitak exemplifies the spirit of the ACA—helping paddlers of all levels find confidence, safety, and joy in the water.
"Good Tides Kayaking transformed my view of watersports. Jake'e expertise and infectious enthusiasm made learning a joy. I left feeling confident and inspired!"
A satisfied paddler