James “Woody” Sykes is a canoe builder & river guide with Quapaw Canoe Company. Woody began his outdoor recreation career as a Mighty Quapaw Apprentice in 2003, learning canoe construction & repair, paddle building, and all aspects of canoeing and canoe safety. He is a seasoned adventurer who helped guide National Geographic Adventure in 2006 and the BBC (British Broadcast Company) in 2007. Woody has been the training leader of the 2008 Mighty Quapaw Apprenticeship Program which teaches Mississippi Delta youth the skills necessary for the demanding & challenging wilderness outfitting on the Lower Mississippi River. Here in the state of Mississippi, Woody has been involved in numerous river activities 2004-2009 including paddling activities for the Mississippi Museum of Natural Sciences, the Nature Conservancy, the Southeastern Archeological Conservancy, the Mississippi State Patrolman’s Association and bird-watching groups from the National Audubon Society.
