Jess' mission in life is to help others reach their potential.
Through Boat FLX charters; by Gear FLX's high-end gear rentals; and by creating workshops and sharing helpful content, models, and structures, Jess combines his passions: developing others, adventure travel, and adventure sports.
Long before he earned his 25-ton inland master's captain license from the US Coast Guard in 2025, Jess spent several summers on Priest Lake, in Idaho, with his childhood friend Josh and his family, when he was a young teenager. The lake had pristine waters that were so clear and clean that the lake house had a simple pipe that went into the lake to bring in water to the house. Summers there were filled with time in and around the lake. Jess and Josh would walk to a nearby stream and catch crawdads. Regularly, Josh's dad would take them waterskiing: one time, Jess water skied from the lake house about 20 miles north to the head of the lake, Upper Priest Lake. Another favorite spot was a small island, 8-mile island, which is near the lake house; 8-mile island had a huge yellow rock a few feet under the water on one side. Josh and Jess would go there for snorkeling in that clear, cool water.
Jess hopes that your friends and family get to enjoy creating your own lake memories on Cayuga Lake with BoatFLX. One day, you may look back on your time with us on Cayuga Lake with as much reverence as Jess does of his time in Priest Lake.
"After I tried hydrofoiling for the first time, the feeling of floating above the water stuck with me. A short while later, while I was surfing in Puerto Rico, I wanted to make it easier to get gear for adventure sports (like surfing and foiling), and so I had the idea to add Boat FLX and Gear FLX to ActiveLeading's portfolio of services. I hope to share with others some of the adventure sports that bring challenge, enjoyment, and shared experiences into my life."
After your experiences with us, we hope that you feel as much excitement for life and for the outdoors as we do.
Jennifer Gudaz
Co-Founder and Gear Specialist
In 2013, Jen partnered with Jess to launch ActiveLeading. An adventure-travel enthusiast, Jen's amazing energy, sharp mind, and passion for the outdoors make her an amazing team member and gear specialist. Jen has many certifications that serve clients well: she is a scuba instructor, a lifeguard instructor, and an instructor of many physical fitness courses (e.g., yoga, Pilates, spinning, and more).
In addition to her work at with Boat FLX and Gear FLX, she is also the Senior Associate Director of Athletics, the Robert E. Browning '56 Director of Physical Education, and the Helen Newman Director of Recreational Services at Cornell University, Jen has been in the field of university physical education since 1996 and also served as an adjunct professor in Ithaca College's Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.
When she is not working for Cornell University or ActiveLeading, Jen enjoys working out, biking, boating, and spending time with friends.