George Sayour American Canoe Association (ACA) Certified Kayak InstructorMember of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the Florida Outdoor Writers AssociationB.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Human Factors in Design (Ergonomics) at Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute Experience George Sayour is a former writer for ThoughtCo. He is a seasoned kayaker, canoeist, and stand-up paddleboarder who has been a participant and paddling instructor for the majority of his life. He has taught classes and workshops on paddling basics, technique, river running, and safety. He is an active member of both the American Canoe Association (ACA) and American Whitewater (AW). George published his first book at the end of 2006 and is an active member of both the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) and the Florida Outdoor Writers Association (FOWA). Education George Sayour earned a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Human Factors in Design (Ergonomics) at Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute. This focus on mechanics and ergonomics made George acutely aware of the importance of gear design and proper paddling technique as they relate to paddler comfort, recovery, and effectiveness. He also has an M.A. from Knox Theological Institute. About TripSavvy and Dotdash Meredith TripSavvy, a Dotdash Meredith brand, is a travel site written by real experts, not anonymous reviewers. You’ll find that our 20-year-strong library of more than 30,000 articles will make you a savvy traveler—showing you how to book a hotel the whole family will love, where to find the best bagel in New York City, and how to skip the lines at theme parks. We give you the confidence to spend your vacation actually vacationing, not fumbling with a guidebook or second-guessing yourself. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.