ITV: eRIC JACKSON
Why World-Class Kayak Coaching Shouldn’t Depend on Geography
Learning how to read water with EJ.
Over the past five years, Eric ‘EJ’ Jackson has expanded his focus beyond running Apex Watercraft, a high-performance carbon and fiberglass kayak company serving both whitewater paddlers and kayak anglers. During that time, he has also been leading kayak clinics for paddlers of all ages and skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced competitors. Building on the success of those clinics, EJ recently introduced a new component to the program: remote coaching through a subscription-based platform called Coach-EJ. The system combines video analysis, structured progression plans, and direct feedback to help paddlers improve their skills year-round—whether they are learning the fundamentals or training to compete at elite and World Cup levels. We caught up with EJ and asked a few info on this new program.
The Coach-EJ platform and curriculum.
EJ about to score a submission by student.
KS: Eric, after decades coaching kayaking, what inspired you to create the Coach-EJ program?
EJ: I realized that most paddlers don’t stop progressing because they lack passion or time on the water—they plateau because they don’t get accurate feedback. Coach-EJ was built to solve that problem by giving paddlers access to high-level coaching no matter where they live.
KS: You’ve trained with some of the best paddlers and coaches in the world. How did those experiences shape your coaching philosophy?
EJ: Training with athletes and coaches from different countries exposed me to many different systems and approaches. Over time, I started noticing the same patterns—the same mistakes, the same breakthroughs, and the same movement habits across all levels of paddling. That experience helped me build a coaching system based on pattern recognition rather than just isolated techniques.
KS: Many paddlers believe improvement simply comes from paddling more. Why do you think that’s incomplete?
EJ: Time on the water matters, but repetition alone can reinforce bad habits if nobody identifies them. Small inefficiencies become permanent over time. A tiny posture issue, paddle path problem, or timing mistake can limit progression for years if it’s never corrected.
« Coach-EJ combines in-person river clinics with remote coaching. »
KS: What exactly does Coach-EJ offer today?
EJ: Coach-EJ combines in-person river clinics with remote coaching. The in-person clinics focus on hands-on instruction, river reading, technique, and progression in real conditions. The remote coaching side allows paddlers to submit video, receive analysis, follow structured learning modules, and continue improving year-round instead of only during occasional clinics.
KS: How often do you run on water clinics? Is it only back in Rock Island where you live, or can this be anywhere?
EJ: I typically run multiple clinics each year, primarily from my home base in Rock Island, Tennessee. Most are intentionally kept small, usually 6 paddlers, which allows for highly individualized instruction. The clinics range from beginner rolling and river confidence all the way up to advanced river running, surfing, and playboating. While most clinics are held in Tennessee, I occasionally travel for special events, and I am always open to opportunities to coach in other locations.
EJ teaching one of his students how to roll.
KS: When part of the program, how often can I call you and ask for guidance?
EJ: The primary communication happens through video submissions, feedback, messaging, and structured progression plans. Depending on the coaching package, live Zoom sessions and direct coaching calls are also available. My goal is to provide meaningful feedback when it is needed rather than forcing paddlers into a rigid schedule.
« Geography shouldn’t determine access to good coaching anymore. »
KS: Why was remote coaching so important for you to develop?
EJ: Because geography shouldn’t determine access to good coaching anymore. A paddler in Chile, Norway, Tennessee, Canada, or New Zealand should still be able to access high-level feedback and modern teaching systems. Technology finally makes that possible.
KS: How does the remote coaching process actually work?
EJ: Typically, paddlers submit video footage along with information about where they paddle, what boat they use, and what they’re struggling with. From there, I analyze movement patterns, identify limitations, and provide specific feedback, drills, and progression strategies tailored to that paddler.
KS: Can someone who has not attended (and does not plan to attend) your on-water clinic subscribe to your distance coaching program?
EJ: Absolutely. Many members have never attended one of my clinics. While clinics can accelerate learning, the remote coaching system was specifically designed to help paddlers who may never have the opportunity to train with me in person. Whether someone lives five minutes away or on the other side of the world, I am using technology to bring the EJ coaching experience to the students home.
KS: What level paddler will benefit from your remote coaching?
EJ: Because most paddlers are not trying to become World Champions. They want to roll consistently, feel confident on the river, paddle with friends, and continue improving for the rest of their lives. I enjoy helping advanced athletes, but I get just as much satisfaction helping someone overcome a fear, achieve a personal goal, or finally master a skill they have struggled with for years. Progress is rewarding at every level.
EJ giving his daughter Emily some ride advice.
KS: You often talk about the “Head / Paddle / Boat / Body” system. What does that mean?
EJ: It’s a framework designed to isolate where a problem is actually coming from. Sometimes the issue is technical. Sometimes it’s mental. Sometimes it’s equipment-related. Sometimes it’s body positioning or mobility. Most paddlers waste time guessing instead of identifying the true source of the problem.
KS: Why can’t paddlers just go on YouTube and search for “how to”? Why pay for your program? What is the difference?
EJ: YouTube is an incredible resource, and I encourage paddlers to use it. The challenge is that most paddlers don’t actually need another tip or another technique—they need a progression plan. Most paddlers approach kayaking by chasing individual skills. They want to learn to roll, surf, boof, stern squirt, run Class IV, or improve their brace. The problem is that those skills don’t exist in isolation. They are built on a foundation of posture, body position, paddle control, edge control, boat awareness, confidence, and other fundamentals.
« Most paddlers don’t need more information. They need a roadmap. »
A good curriculum develops those building blocks in the proper order. When paddlers skip steps, they often spend years struggling with skills that should have taken weeks or months to learn. Coach-EJ is not just a collection of tips and techniques. It is a progression system. My goal is to identify where a paddler is today, determine what foundation is missing, and help them focus on the next most important step in their development. Most paddlers don’t need more information. They need a roadmap.
KS: What excites you most about coaching paddlers remotely?
EJ: Seeing how quickly progression can happen once a paddler gets clarity. Often the athletic ability is already there—they just need better understanding of what’s holding them back. Sometimes one small correction changes everything.
EJ surfing in Columbus in his Apex.
KS: Let’s talk cost. How much would a distant coaching session with Coach EJ cost? I imagine there are several packages and costs available, right?
EJ: There are several options available depending on how much support a paddler wants. Some members simply want access to the learning modules and structured progression system, while others want detailed video reviews, direct feedback, and regular coaching interaction. The goal is to make high-level coaching accessible without requiring constant travel. Current pricing and options are available on Coach-EJ.com.
KS: Do you see remote coaching replacing traditional clinics and river instruction?
EJ: Not at all. I still love on-water coaching and river time together. Nothing fully replaces being on the river with paddlers. But the reality is that clinics make up maybe 5% of a paddler’s year. Remote coaching helps support the other 95%.
« The sport has given me an incredible life, and Coach-EJ is my way of giving back. »
KS: What do you ultimately hope Coach-EJ brings to the kayaking community?
EJ: I want to help preserve and organize knowledge that too often disappears when great paddlers retire. The sport has given me an incredible life, and Coach-EJ is my way of giving back—by making high-level coaching more accessible and helping paddlers progress faster, safer, and with more confidence.
KS: You are also joining the team at kayaksession.com and will be providing articles and instructional tips twice a month, right?
EJ: Yes, and I am excited about it. Over the coming year, I will be contributing instructional articles, coaching insights, progression concepts, and practical tips twice each month. Kayak Session has been one of the most important media platforms in paddlesports for many years, and I am looking forward to sharing ideas that help paddlers improve, gain confidence, and enjoy the sport even more.
For more info on Coach EJ programs, visit: Coach-EJ.com
For info on Apex Kayaks, visit: Apex Watercraft
