About Us

 

Guillemot Kayaks was founded by Nick Schade in 1993 to share the kayak designs he had created for his own personal use. Schade grew up around canoes and kayaks, and after beginning a career as a naval engineer, he decided to design and build his own kayak using the "strip-built" method, which was common for canoes but not widely adapted for kayaks at the time.

Nick worked with his brother Eric to develop the processes needed to make kayaks using the strip-built technique. As Nick's skills as a kayak paddler and boat builder evolved, his designs became focused on maximizing on-water performance while respecting the natural materials. This led him to start Guillemot Kayaks, which specializes in designing and building high-performance sea kayaks for others to construct.

Nick is an experienced kayaker, having paddled extensively in all conditions since childhood. This intimate knowledge of kayak dynamics, combined with over 30 years of boat building experience, has allowed him to engineer exceptional kayak designs. He has written instructional books on the strip-built kayak construction method, helping foster a revival in wooden kayak building. His popular YouTube Channel has opened up the art of boat building to thousands of viewers.

Guillemot Kayaks is currently based in Groton, Connecticut, where Nick builds prototypes and custom kayaks. He has taught kayak construction at various schools and his boats have won awards and been exhibited in museums. Nick is also a Registered Maine Guide.