Cascade's Founder
Dan Henderson, who began paddling in 1972 as a recreational canoeist, founded Cascade Canoe & Kayak Centers, Inc. in 1997. In pursuit of skill development, Dan began racing whitewater canoe in 1976 and flatwater Olympic-style canoe in 1978. Dan raced flatwater in Europe for clubs based in Hungary and for the US Team through 1988. Dan won several medals in national and international competitions.
Dan began coaching in 1989, founding the youth team at the Seattle Canoe Club and within 4 years leading that program to the top honors in the United States. In 1993 USA Canoe/Kayak hired him as National Development Coach, a position he held through 1996. During his tenure with USACK, Junior international performance reached record levels. Dan wrote the coaching manual and numerous articles as well as taught coaching development programs throughout the US.
Returning to his recreational roots, Dan began sea kayaking in 1988 and started exploring the extensive waterways of the Northwest. At Cascade he brings the technical efficiency and boat performance lessons learned in racing, combined with his love of exploration and natural places, along with a playful approach to life, to recreational paddling and Cascade leadership.
In 2004, the International Canoe Federation, the World and Olympic Governing body for canoe/kayak racing published its Level 1 Coaching Manual, written by Csaba Szanto and Dan Henderson. Dan is also a Master’s Degree Candidate in Exercise Science at Western Washington University, focusing on the kinetics and kinematics of the forward kayak stroke.
