The Kajack Method

Jacques Gilardone – Kayak Instructor and River Safety Trainer

“I teach how to read water, but above all how to read yourself in water.”

For over twenty years I have dedicated my life to teaching technical whitewater kayaking.

My journey began in Valsesia, the beating heart of the Alpine rivers, and led me to teach and collaborate with some of the best athletes and coaches in the world.

Unlike many, I live off teaching sports all year round—kayaking and snowboarding : it's my job, my passion, and my daily language. This total dedication has allowed me to develop a unique teaching method, recognized and appreciated in Italy and Europe.

The Kajack Method

The river, above all, conveys emotions.

Each person has a different way of perceiving the river, balance and movement.

My strength as a teacher is understanding these differences and building a personalized path for each student.

There are no rigid rules: each lesson is a continuous dialogue between the student, the technique, the river and instinct.

The Kajack Method is based on three fundamental pillars:

  • Total customization – Each student follows a unique path, designed based on their characteristics and goals.
  • Accelerated Learning – I find an effective shortcut to improvement for everyone, unlocking potential quickly.
  • Peace of mind and safety – As a river safety trainer, I prioritize peace of mind, trust, safety, and well-being in the water.

Empathy, professionalism, and respect for the river are the foundations of my work.



I don't just teach how to paddle: I teach how to feel the water and how to trust yourself in every situation. Understanding how water moves, how it changes, where it speeds up or slows down, is the key to paddling with the river, not against it.

Learning to read the water means anticipating the lines, recognizing the hidden signals of the current, and using the energy of the flow to move more fluidly and safely.

When you learn to let the river carry you , everything becomes easier:
less effort, more control, more harmony. Training to read the river also means training to read yourself : to understand when to push and when to let go,
to transform uncertainty into presence and clarity.

Recognition and collaborations

Kajack collaborates with the best kayakers and the most renowned schools in Europe and the world.

I work closely with Bosskayak , the project's main partner, and with coaches from different continents to offer excellent courses, clinics, and international expeditions.

Every teacher and every school has their own method, and I am always open and enthusiastic to discover new alternative ways to deliver teaching.

Kajack is much more than a school: it is a personal experience, a method and a community that grows together on the water.