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Geoff Briggs Program Director |
Carl Chamberlin Boat Architect |
David Knudsen Program Advisor |
Sean Rankins Sail Maker |
Jay Smith Boat Builder |
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PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Geoff Briggs Geoff is dedicated to creating and leading maritime experiences that give youth a foundation for living happy, successful, fun, and authentic lives. Geoff has been actively involved with rite-of-passage programs in Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, leading kayaking, canoeing and sailing trips for the last 15 years. He also skippers for the Sea Scouts and the Wooden Boat Foundation in Port Townsend WA. He trades equity securities, has an engineering degree from the University of Michigan, a MBA from the University of Chicago and resides in the Pacific Northwest where he pursues many outdoor activities. He is a US Coast Guard licensed Captain. |
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PROGRAM ADVISOR: David Knudsen In 1971, David founded Langskib, a backcountry canoe camp for boys, and in 1985 he added a second coeducational canoe program, Northwaters. David’s love of adventure started at age sixteen, when he worked on a Danish freighter bound for Argentina. Two years later he worked as a cowhand in southwestern Colorado. In between adventures, David was a science teacher who three times won the Outstanding Educator of America Award. In addition to his advisory role for W.I.L.D., David is also co-director of both “The Temagami Experience” an adult leadership program, and “The Temagami Vision Quest,” a training endorsed by the C.G. Jung Center of Chicago.
He has led hundreds of workshops, trained with numerous native elders, and in 2000 he was the executive producer of a film documenting adolescent rites of passage. He has canoed many thousands of miles including five major expeditions to the Hudson Bay. His expertise is in helping young people cross the bridge to adulthood. |
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Boat Architect: Carl Chamberlin of Basic Boats Carl is well respected by owners and builders alike for his thoroughness, attention to detail, and ability to deliver eloquent designs. He is also well known for being able to solve difficult engineering problems. Thanks to Carl we have been able to maintain the original construction methods and design of the ancient Viking ships and get our construction plans approved by the US Coast Guard. |
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Boat Builder: Jay Smith of Aspoya Boats The builder of the ship is master shipwright, Jay Smith. He was featured in a History Channel special called “The Big Build: Viking Longboat.” Jay has gathered over 70 crooks from oak trees in Oregon for the ship's frames. He has also procured some of the purest and most beautiful cedar--yellow cedar from British Columbia--for planking. Jay speaks Norwegian and has studied with Scandinavian masters many times to perfect his trade. |
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Sail Maker: Sean Rankins Sean is a well-known and respected local sail-maker with an extensive background in Nordic sail-making and rigging. He teaches at The NW School of Boat Building, where his current students will be learning and practicing the "lost art" of making sails by hand on W.I.L.D.'s Viking sail. Sean was also featured in "The Big Build: Viking Longboat." |
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