About the Author
Janice L. Green has lived in Southern California
for over half of her life. Her passion for paddling began when
she was exposed to a wide variety of watersport activities at an
early age while growing up in a small town in Minnesota, the
Land of 10,000 lakes. Her parents, Norman and Sondra Green,
belonged to a waterski club and skied at Lake Minnetonka, where
her family spent the weekends boating, fishing, and swimming in
the summertime.
Janice bought her first kayak in 1985, an Ocean
Scupper, manufactured by Ocean Kayak, which she states is “the
perfect fit for her, even after trying out many different types
of kayaks over the years”. As an avid kayaker, Janice recognized
the need for a guidebook on flat water paddling locations when
she first began paddling different lakes throughout California
and was unable to find sufficient information about them. In
the process of compiling maps, camping and lake information on
the different lakes she paddled, she realized she had
accumulated an enormous amount of valuable data that could be
beneficial to other paddlers who either didn’t have the time to
gather the information themselves, or who didn’t want to blindly
venture to unfamiliar destinations. “From experience, I have
found the unknown is only fearful because it’s unknown. In most
cases, once you have conquered your fears, you will find there
wasn’t anything to be afraid of at all. Hopefully, these
guidebook will take away any of the concerns you have about
paddling unknown destinations.”
When Janice first began paddling different lakes
she was equipped with very little. Back then, computers were
rare, books on destinations where to paddle in California were
even rarer, so all she had was a California road map to lead the
way to unexplored territory. Reflecting back to when she first
began paddling new destinations Janice recalls, “The fear of the
unknown was high in the beginning, and so were the risks. I
suppose you could say I was flying by the seat of my pants,
relying mainly on my physical condition, and common sense. I
picked the smallest lakes in the beginning and the ones that
weren’t as remote. Once I built up my experience and confidence
I began to venture to destinations where I was frequently the
only one there, discounting the bears, of course.”
The further away she paddled, the more hooked she
became on paddling serene mountain retreats, but for Janice,
“Whether you seek adventure paddling a remote lake in the
wilderness or just want to spend a leisurely time paddling a
small lake, kayaking and canoeing can provide a pleasant
diversion and a great time away from life’s day-to-day stress.”
Over the years Janice has been fortunate to have paddled some of
the most breathtaking flat water destinations in California.
After completing her first guidebook PADDLE
ME: A Flat Water Kayak and Canoe Guidebook for Central and
Southern California, Janice began to explore the lakes
in Northern California eight years ago. Since then she became
enthralled with the lakes up north. “Kayaking and canoeing
beautifully serene destinations can be one of the most
emotionally and physically rewarding experiences you’ll ever
have. If you have never tried paddling before, I hope you give
it a try, whether you enjoy day tripping, extended weekend
jaunts or expedition touring.” In 2005, Janice completed
PADDLE ME ll: A Flat Kayak and Canoe
Guidebook for
Northern California.
Being a solitary paddler for 28 years, Janice has
learned over the years you need to use common sense and to take
extra safety precautions. “By taking a few precautions when you
go on a paddling adventure, you can increase your chances of
having a pleasurable and safe trip, whether you choose to paddle
alone or with a companion.” By following a set of rules, Janice
has maintained her safety while paddling for the past 28 years.
When not paddling, Janice spends her free time
writing, painting, playing classical guitar, golf, tennis,
bicycling and going to concerts and theater performances in the
wintertime. She is a self-employed photography and printing
representative which gives her the resources and allows her the
free time and flexibility to kayak 30 to 50 lakes a year.
Janice is “extremely grateful for being able to
do the things she enjoys and loves, for having close friendships
and family, and God permitting continued life.” After three car
accidents,, Janice quickly became aware of
how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away.
Since then, she has developed the attitude, “Don’t put off what
you can do today, because tomorrow may never happen.”
It is her love of kayaking and the peace it
brings her that inspired her to share her experiences with you,
so that you too can experience the pleasure of paddling. She
hopes others can find the same joy and peace she has found
through paddling flat water destinations in California.
© 2005-08
Janice L. Green All Rights Reserved.
