The Engineer Behind Pennevale Docks

My name is PJ Gurrola. I'm an engineer and I spent 20 years teaching math and science in public schools.

I'm also a kayaker who loves the water and is working toward the lake life I've been dreaming about for years.

That combination — engineering background, teaching instinct, and genuine passion for life on the water — is exactly what I bring to every Pennevale Docks consultation.

I didn't come to this business the easy way.

At 71, I'm starting over in more ways than one. After a difficult chapter that cost me most of my retirement savings, I made a decision. I wasn't going to give up. I was going to use every skill I'd built over a lifetime — engineering, teaching, problem solving — and build something new.

I did an extensive survey of my background and skills, looking for the right fit. Floating docks came out on top. And the more I researched the industry the more I saw a gap that nobody was filling.

Lake homeowners were spending tens of thousands of dollars on docks without any independent engineering guidance. They were relying entirely on manufacturers, who are in the business of selling docks, not engineering solutions for specific shorelines. And too many of them were ending up with docks that failed, underperformed, or simply weren't right for their lake.  I knew I could fix that.

Engineering background: My degree includes structural engineering principles that apply directly to dock design — load analysis, environmental force calculations, material selection, and anchoring systems. I approach every consultation the way an engineer approaches a design problem. Systematically. Thoroughly. With your specific conditions driving every recommendation.

Teaching instinct: Twenty years in a classroom taught me how to take complex technical information and make it genuinely understandable. That skill matters in this business because an informed homeowner makes better decisions. My job isn't just to tell you what to buy — it's to make sure you understand why.

Independence I am not affiliated with any dock manufacturer. I don't receive commissions from manufacturers based on what I recommend. My only interest is in getting the right dock for your specific situation. That independence is the foundation on which everything else is built.

Passion for the water I'm a kayaker. I love the water. I'm working toward my own lake property with a dock. This isn't just a business for me — it's a lifestyle I'm genuinely invested in. When I help you get your dock right, I'm helping you protect something that matters deeply to you. I take that seriously.

Before you spend a dollar on anything — including a consultation with me — I want you to be informed.

That's why I created the Pennevale Docks YouTube channel. Every week, I post practical, honest educational videos covering everything lake homeowners need to know about docks — flotation systems, anchoring, water level management, permits, load capacity, and more.

It's completely free. No sales pitch. Just the information you need to make smart decisions about your lake property.

[Visit the Pennevale Docks YouTube Channel]

I know what it feels like to work hard your whole life and have things not go the way you planned.

I also know that the best response to that is to get up, use what you know, and build something worth being proud of.

Pennevale Docks is that for me. And every homeowner I help make a smart dock decision — every person who avoids an expensive mistake because they had independent guidance — is a reminder of why I started.

I'd be honored to help you get your dock right.