Team Goko: Caroline

Caroline is without any doubt, the beating heart of Goko.

She is our resident dreamer. The voice of reason in the face of adversity. The Midwest work hard and work harder spirit. This woman is the reason Goko still exists. Where many would paddle away, or bury their head in the Florida sand, Caroline turns to face the wavy ups and downs of a kayak life.

A young adventurer back in 2013, Caroline made a move from her hometown of Milwaukee, WI, that would shape her life. At the time, Caroline was working a job researching, developing, and implementing a cognitive program to help people with early stage dementia. With a degree in art therapy and a passion for the human mind, she was able to combine her skills and make a significant difference in those participants lives. The program, known as, Brain Stretch, was a success, but Caroline’s true purpose and passion was still to be revealed to the world.

Caroline craved more. More inner peace. More adventure. More water. More kayaking. Less snow! Since 2011 she had been running Brain Stretch during the week, and kayaking different Wisconsin lakes on the weekend. If only she could plug more of her week with that soul-filling feeling that kayaking gave her. If only she could help others to find kayaking bliss. She was ready to take a leap of faith and commit her life to kayaking, and help others experience kayaking in the process. Wisconsin was now in her rear view mirror.

Over the next 10 years, Caroline progressed as a professional kayak tour guide in Virginia, New Jersey, and then onto the Florida Keys. Gaining a combination of adventure, ACA training, instruction, self-development, first aid skills, and increased physical ability. She was doing what she wanted to do, not what others thought she should be doing. She was free. Epic kayaking adventures were made all over the states, with Caroline’s most influential being a primitive, multi-day paddle the length of the FL Keys (Key Largo to Key West).

After marrying Sophia, a British adventurer, in 2017, Caroline resided in Preston and then Manchester, England. She found her kayak life even in grey, rainy Manchester, becoming a valued member of the Helly Hansen water sports team in Salford Quays. She was able to build on her kayaking repertoire, and complete some very well regarded courses with British Canoeing.

The couple, along with their beagle boy dog, Homer, moved back to the US in 2019. There was little question where they would go to start their very own kayak business…Tampa Bay was calling! With a lot of hard work, and another big continent to continent family move, Goko Kayaks LLC was born. Eco-tours, rentals, instruction and of course, Caroline’s other baby: On The Water Meditation (OWM)™. The first ever in person OWM was due to start when along came the notorious pandemic. True to form, Caroline offered this session for free online using guided-imagery, wanting to help people during a difficult time. Caroline’s spirituality, and ability to guide peaceful, mindful meditation is something to behold. The Tampa Bay area has over 3 million people leading busy lives. OWM allows people to pause, enjoy the nature on their doorstep, and feel the present moment, all whilst getting the kayak experience from the best in the business.

When not out working on the water or in the office, Caroline can be found exploring nature, grilling with friends and family, sampling a local brewery, playing Clash of Clans, listening to Stick Figure or Melanie C, and tending to her homegrown veg! She enjoys the simple pleasures of life, and we thoroughly enjoy the pleasure of her leadership here at Goko Kayaks. Thank you for everything you do, Caroline!