H2Outfitters

H2Outfitters is recognized as the East Coast’s original sea kayak outfitter and as “One of the World’s Best Adventure Travel Companies” by National Geographic Adventure magazine.Established in 1982 the company has had many “firsts” in the areas of kayak instruction, safety, leadership as well as trips and outfitting.The company’s principals, Cathy Piffath and Jeff Cooper, are recognized as leaders in their field.Of particular note, Cathy has been recognized as one of the “finest technical paddlers in the country” and has been featured in such magazines as Shape, Paddler, Self, Downeast, and Yankee among others.Her partner, and H2Outfitters’ Director of Fun, Jeff Cooper was described by Men’s Journal as “arguably the finest kayak instructor on the East Coast…” and has himself been a topic of discussion in publications ranging from the Financial Times to National Geographic Adventure magazine.

Cathy & Jeff have been prominent figures nationally in the kayak instructional arena with the American Canoe Association and the British Canoe Union.They served as the first ACA instructor trainer educators on the East Coast and wrote the first national curriculum for sea kayaking in the early 90s. H2Outfitters has been an innovator in outdoor education as well as its marketing within the industry here and abroad. Consequently, H2O’s reputation for excellence is recognized around the globe.

The company’s International Adventures for a Lifetime trip program has been recognized nationally as offering some of the most unique and exciting excursions in adventure travel.Combining cultural and historic perspectives with the hands-on aspect of sea kayaking, H2Outfitters has taken the Seven Seas and made them accessible in a fun and educational manner to people of all ages.Japan’s Inland Sea, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Iceland’s West Fjords, and Italy’s Tuscan Island Archipelago are but a few of the trip’s they offer to adventurous travelers.The company has worked closely with travel writers and authors worldwide in the development of their trips; Tony Perrottet, Dario Castagno, Steve Jermanok, and Isamu Tatsuno to name a few.

Some H2Outfitters’ Highlights

• -Pioneers of sea kayak instruction in the US
• -Principals recognized as the best and finest in their field
• -Cutting edge programming, distinctive adventures
• -Company takes the interactive “getting off the bus” approach to international travel

H2Outfitters’ Mission Statement:

At H2Outfitters, we firmly believe that skills development is the best insurance for all kayaking activities. It provides a foundation on which to build a secure paddling future for a relatively small investments. Your ability to paddle, and paddle well, allows you to make intelligent decisions that range from buying a boat and judging its characteristics, to selecting the river or ocean trip that suits your needs. Instruction is not hype, doesn’t need a sales pitch, and is, in fact, and investment in your futures. Take it seriously because it ensures Serious Fun!

This mission statement still holds as true today as it did when we established it in 1982.

H2Outfitters is committed to high-quality kayaking instruction. Our instructors are selected not only for their kayaking skills, but also for  their  teaching skills and group management ability. Our staff is dedicated to making sure you have Serious Fun!