As the namesake and designer behind Jackson Kayak, one of the most successful kayak brands ever, Eric Jackson has revolutionized the world of freestyle kayaking with the versatility of his company’s line of playboats. First, however, he was a world-class whitewater kayaker, competing on the 1992 Olympic slalom team and winning six times at the world’s largest freestyle competition. His experience exploring the function of a variety of boats led to his expertise as a kayak designer, and boats he created with design partner David Knight have taken paddlers to top place in the world championships more than half a dozen times. Jackson also authored “Whitewater Paddling: Strokes and Concepts” and “Playboating: Moves and Training.” His kids Emily and Dane have also followed in their father’s footsteps as accomplished competitive kayakers