Soulboater Interview with Rodeostar Eric Jackson Soulboater: Hello EJ, how's the weather in Tennesee? Closing down the season or does it go on all winter? Eric Jackson: It was warm and raining yesterday, we got about 5 cm. Clay, Stephen, Dane, and I went to the Upper Caney Fork, about 45 minutes from the house, great run. We paddle all winter, but will close the factory for a couple of weeks around Christmas. SB:When did you start kayaking? EJ: I started kayaking in 1970 on Pine Creek Pensylvania when I was 6. I mostly did canoeing with my dad, but his friend had a homemade kayak that we got to run through some rapids in. SB: Who were your ' Heroes'? EJ: Bob O'Neil was my first whitewater hero because he was the onlt guy who knew how to roll a kayak when we really got into it in 1979 in New Hampshire. He taught the rest of the club how to roll that year. SB: Is the basis for your paddling slalom only or did you paddle WW at an early stage as well? EJ: My fundamental techniques started off like most people in that I just learned to roll, brace, read water, and some playing, and I headed down river after river developing my own technique by watching others. From 1984 to 1992 when I went to the Olympics, slalom was my new teacher and I learned most of my techniques for paddling through coaches and training, but I wasn't very imaginative in my creating new techniques. In 1992, Scot Shipley and I had an argument over how to do an upstream gate at the Olympics. My way was proven faster on the clock, but his way was new and he was still developing it. The following year he won the world cup after fully developing his new technique and I was stuck with my old technique. I learned my most valuable lesson in technique that year, ALWAYS assume that there could be a better way, and try to find it. From 1993 up to day, the techniques I teach are developed by constantly challenging what I know already. The evolution of the kayak has made this imperative since a 6 or 8' boat paddles NOTHING like a 13' or even an 10 feet boat. Therefore, my techniques in ''EJ's: Strokes and Concepts, Rolling and Bracing, River Running Basics, Advanced River Running and of course Playboating Basics Advanced are there to assure that everyone has access to the most current and effective techniques avaible today. SB: Are you out on the river everyday or do other activities (family,home life , puppies) occupy more time for now? EJ: We are on the river everyday, sometimes more than once when we surf the hole or Brave Wave. The business, housekeeping, playing soccer with the kids everyday, or football, pretty much takes up the whole day. We even went line dancing at the Cadillac Ranch on Saturday night, good southern country fun. SB: You've been very busy since you started JK: where do you get the motivation doing so many projects (filming, clinics, racing, promoting, etc.) at once? EJ: I don’t know really. I only want to do more, never less. I have to keep it in check or I’ll take on too much. Most people would say I do too much already. I gauge how much I do by how well I do it. If my business is succeeding, my videos are selling, I am winning competitions, and my students are happy, then I figure I haven’t over extended myself. SB: How have your expectations concerning JK played out ? It seems it has had quite a positive response. Do you feel the time was right for a company like JK? EJ: The timing was good for Jackson Kayak. While the biggest companies were becoming bigger, the market really needs a company focused on being a watchdog for the industry and doing what we can for the dealers and customers. By keeping prices down and quality up, we offered the public a company that they know is looking out for them. SB: The Fun series looks to be The range for the average paddler: was this a decisve strategy for JK? EJ: We certainly were looking to start with the boats that apply to the most people. Both of my kids needed Funs (Fun 1 and 2 Fun), I needed a Fun, etc. We wouldn’t have come out with 6 sizes if we didn’t know that the boat would be the best in its category and really make the owners enjoy their paddling more. SB (Ferry): I can tell you; my kids love the Fun 1! EJ: Sweet, I hope to paddle with them one day. Eric with his son Dane SB: Was it a gamble coming to Sydney in your 'own' boat, putting the success of your business at stake; what if you had come in 15th place ? EJ: My All-Star is a winner, and if you were on tour in 2005 in the USA you would have seen just how big it went in all kinds of competitions and play sessions. Certainly I could have gotten 15th, but it wouldn’t have changed the quality of the boat. I am fortunate that I was the only on in the finals in an All-Star, that is for sure. I will have my hands full with Jay, Clay, and Stephen, and Tobi in All-Stars next year. SB: Do you feel your private life has become more exposed through the way you entwine sports/JK/ Family? EJ: I try to live “well for myself so I can give myself away to others”. I feel as a 41 year old kayaker who has put all of my life into the sport and lived very well doing it, that I owe it to the paddling world to see just how I do it and how life can be.While my life isn’t for everyone, at least those paddlers who want to take it to the next level have full access to my life in detail. SB: Any plans putting your mark on the creeking market? EJ: We are just getting started on that. Our Rocker, Hero, and Super Hero are boats that will get their time in the sun in 2006 and beyond. The boat armor outfitting was a final step needed to really start pushing those boats. We also haven’t done any video or photo shoots yet other than my “EJ’s River Running Basics, and EJ’s Advanced River Running” DVDs. Most other companies have a strong marketing push on the creekboats in videos, and photos. We are a couple of years away from that. SB: Can we expect in general quantum leaps in kayak design and function in the coming years or do we have to wait on new composite materials? EJ: Well, I would like to suggest that quantum leaps in kayak design have been going on in front of your eyes for the past 10 years. Some companies have gone backwards by switching to linear plastic knowing that cross-linked is way stronger and better for whitewater. Jackson Kayak will certainly keep pushing the limits as fast as we can. Our new bulkhead for the creekboats is a huge step forward in safety and adjustability. Our Sweet Cheeks seat pad is unreal, our Boat Armor outfitting takes hull stiffness, and safety to a new level. As for composites, my new slalom boat is made with some cool new technology in vacuum bagged seams in the mold. Don’t discount small steps coming at you fast as not being quantum leaps. The computer industry came not in quantum leaps, but one step at a time. SB: Where is Freestyle kayaking going: more artificial sites, Olympic; pro-con? EJ: THE IFC, now under the ICF has gone the route of the Olympics. We need 50+ countries at the 2007 worlds to be in consideration for the Olympics. Jackson Kayak will help get individuals from countries that have never been in the worlds to that event to do our part. Freestyle is healthy, the rules and events are still progressing quickly, and there are quite a few high level events each year with prize money and good fun. SB: Has WW kayaking in your opinion the potential of becoming a mass sport without artificial playspots, runs, and indoor-facilities? EJ: There are many things that have to happen to get more paddlers on the books. It is again, one small step at a time that makes kayaking easier and more attractive to enter. It is still a tough nut to crack to get over the hump as a new paddler. Gear, skills, time, money, etc. are all obstacles. Jackson Kayak will begin addressing those issues in 2006-2007. We have already addressed the kids market with our Fun 1, and Fun 1.5. SB: Who are the 'unseen' people behind JK? How many are you now? EJ: Tony Lunt is my partner. He makes sure we have the cash to get the job done. Dave Olson is our CFO and he makes sure we know how much cash we need, and keeps it organized, as well as is a sounding board for me. John Ratliff is my chief operations officer and runs the factory. Carman Ratliff runs customer service, while Lorraine Valet (Kristine’s mom) runs the office, and does internet sales. We have a total of about 25 people now, plus a factory team. SB: How do you keep in such good shape by the way? Any advice on keeping the paddling form up through the winter? EJ: I paddle all winter, and go away, so I stay in shape that way. However, my new “Paddle Station” workout machine is like a godsend for anyone wanting to really get buff. I am only about 2 weeks from being able to start my before and after test. SB: Do you have any plans to visit Europe in the next season; maybe give some clinics? EJ: I am planning on a European tour, my first ever other than slalom. I have been to Europe many times, but next June I will be there for a month with the whole Jackson family. Dane, Emily, Kristine, and I and also Tony Lunt, will start at Lyon, and then do whatever is the most fun for the month. Any ideas? SB: Famous Tennessee dish that you can recommend? EJ: Biscuits and Gravy, you betcha buddy. SB: Thank you for your time and effort, good luck with JK!! EJ: Thanks man, thanks for thinking of me and keep up the great work! :-) EJ
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