Cloud 9 Adventures

If you haven’t heard yet or been following along - check this out! @thelukasdee is paddling around Nova Scotia to raise awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention. He is raising funds through Movember! His goal is $10,000 and he is a little past halfway. If you are able to contribute here is the link : /mospace/15527650?mc=1&utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard He just had a massive day yesterday putting in 72km in a big downwinder along the western shore of Cape Breton! Go Lukas!

We have JUST 1 SPOT left for our upcoming Ocean Explorer Level 3 Prep program coming up May 18-21st in Nova Scotia. If you’ve been looking for the perfect opportunity to push your boundaries, refine your technical skills, and gain the confidence needed for more challenging coastal conditions, this is it. Why join this program? ✅ Master advanced maneuvers in dynamic water. ✅ Fine-tune your navigation and safety protocols. ✅ Learn from industry-leading instructors in a supportive environment. ✅ Get the specific prep you need to ace your Level 3 assessment. This spot won’t last long. Are you ready to claim it? 👇 Grab the final spot here: https://cloud9adventures.ca/programs/ocean-explorer-level-3-prep/ See you on the water! #mypaddlestory #paddlecanada #paddlingmixtape #paddleforever

Digging through old photos and found this absolute gem of a canoe trip in Northern Ontario with my Mom. Looking at it now, I realize how lucky I was to have such an adventurous mother willing to take on canoe adventures with me. Such amazing memories reminding me how lucky I am to have had you help guide me through life. You taught me how to find my balance in rough waters, the power of pulling my own weight, and the importance of looking toward the horizon. You make me feel capable of conquering any adventure. Thank you for being my compass, and my biggest inspiration. Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers out there! 📍Quetico Provincial Park 📆 2005 #mypaddlestory

Ready to share your love for the water with others? Take the leap from paddler to leader. Our @paddlecanada Basic Kayak Instructor program is the perfect starting point for those looking to refine their technical skills and learn the art of teaching on the water. 🗓️ When: June 12-14 📍Morell, Prince Edward Island 👉Status: Only 2 spots remaining! Start your journey here: cloud9adventures.ca/programs/basic-kayak-instructor/ #mypaddlestory

Take a look at how I use mindfulness and mental performance techniques to support both my own paddling and the students I have the privilege of working with. You can also dive deeper into the connection between outdoor adventure and mindfulness in my blog series, The Mindful Paddler. #mypaddlestory #themindfulpaddler

Flat water paddles are great, but getting comfortable with paddling the ocean and exploring amazing spots further afield is a whole different rhythm. If you’ve spent your time on calm rivers or lakes and found yourself looking at the ocean thinking, “I want to be out there, but am I ready?”—this is for you. Our Ocean Discovery (May 28–31) is the bridge. We move beyond the basics to master the “Safety Net” of sea kayaking: rescues, reading the tides, and handling the wind like a pro. If you have a Paddle Canada Level-1 Skills certification, this is the perfect program for you to take the next step! If you have a Level-2 Skills and are looking for some more experience this is a great fit to get even more comfotable! Whether you’re driving over the Confederation Bridge or flying in from Toronto, we’re turning your “what if?” into a confident “I’ve got this.” ✨ Prince Edward Island — May 28-31 — 3 spots left. 🔗 https://cloud9adventures.ca/programs/ocean-discovery/ #mypaddlestory #explorepei #pointseastcoastaldrive #paddlecanada

The Magic of Doing Difficult Things Wow! Helping someone overcome a fear or accomplish something they didn’t think was possible, s amazing. To be honest, this is one of the main reasons that inspires me to continue to grow and develop as an instructor. When the moment is tense and anxiety and stress is rising, there is real magic there. For both the student and the instructor. Pushing through and doing difficult things can be so empowering and confidence inspiring for both sides of the equation. I have worked hard over the years to hone my craft as an instructor and coach. I have drawn on some of my sport physiology training I recieved as a varsity athlete as well as a lot of my mindfulness work I have gained through @naturespaceyogi at @naturespaceresort It is so gratifying to see this work provide results. Being able to help people find enough calm in those moments of challenge. To see them find the grit they forgot they had. Being able to in some small way help facilitate the environment for them to push past a challenging thing is amazing. I believe doing difficult things can be so good for our hearts and minds… I would love to hear about a moment on the water that you overcame something you thought wasn’t possible. #mypaddlestory

The Great Paddle Debate: Why Choose One? In the kayaking world, there’s a “rivalry” that’s always puzzled me: Greenland Paddles vs. Euro Paddles. As an instructor, I’ve had to mediate discussions that got a little too “animated.” But at Cloud 9, we believe that when we stop focusing on which is “better,” we start learning how both can improve our paddling. The Greenland Paddle aka “The Stick” I find these are incredible for endurance and long days. They slice through headwinds beautifully and are much kinder to my shoulders and joints. It’s becoming my preference for long paddles and the variety of rolling. Plus, the connection to history and tradition resonates with me. The Euro Paddle aka “The Spoon” These are my go-to for instant power and technical maneuvering. I love the powerful “catch” and immediate feedback, making them my preferred choice for moving through currents and rock gardens and dynamic waters where I need to move with precision and authority. Why I Use Both Cross-training with both styles has made me a better paddler. Switching between them recruits different muscle groups, which helps prevent overuse injuries—a tip I picked up from @learntokayak at the 2025 East Coast Greenland Camp. Understanding how a Greenland blade interacts with the water has improved my “feel” for the Euro blade, and vice versa. Ultimately, I started with Euro, but have leaned into Greenland paddles to better support my students. Broadening my skills allows me to meet every paddler exactly where they are and help them find what feels good for their body. It challenges and improves my paddling too! A Call to the Community Our community is small and amazing. Let’s spend less time defending “sides” and more time sharing the craft. Whether you love the sleek tradition of the GP or the powerful bite of a Euro blade, we’re all out there for the same reason—the love of the water. Next time you see a different paddle, ask what they love about it. We might just learn something that changes our own stroke. What’s in your hands today? Tell us why you love your paddle of choice in the comments!

Down in Costa Rica with my “partner in crime!” We are about to start our Costa Rica Adventure Retreat we offer through or our other business @naturespaceresort Before that starts we are taking an opportunity to explore and recharge ourselves before we get to work. We love coming down here in late winter. It is such an amazing spot to explore and feeds our passion to return home and start our Cloud 9 programming! The season starts off with our first Rough Water Club paddle on the Shubie River - May 1! There are only 2 spots left. #mypaddlestory

Ready to get out in a variety of ocean conditions? Our Ocean Explorer Level 3 Prep (May 18–21) is designed for the paddler who has had an introduction to dynamic water and is looking to gain more comfort and experience in lumpy waters. Whether you want to experience ocean surf, rock garden environment or tidal currents we aim to expose our students to it all. If you are a Level 2 (or equivalent) or more, this 4-day intensive is the perfect opportunity We don’t just practice strokes and rescues; we build the judgment and leadership skills needed for more challenging coastal environments. We have a few spots remaining. If you have questions about whether this is an appropriate fit for you, reach out, we are happy to help! Are you ready to level up this season and start off on the right foot? 🔗 https://cloud9adventures.ca/programs/ocean-explorer-level-3-prep/ #mypaddlestory

Big news for the Spring Thaw Kayak Gathering (May 15-17) We’ve made a few updates to this year’s event to make our boutique, small-group experience even more affordable and flexible. We’ve shifted to a DIY meal format to help reduce the price and give you more freedom. You’ll have full access to two beautiful kitchens in our event space to prep your own meals or explore the wonderful options in Morell. The best part? These changes mean we can drop the price by $200! The Details: ·       New Lower Price: Prospector Tent $499 |Yurt $599 | Loft Suite $699 ·       Intimate Coaching: A 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio ·       The Vibe: DIY meals in our gorgeous kitchens or local eats in Morell We only have a few spots left at this new rate. Check out the details here: https://cloud9adventures.ca/programs/spring-thaw-gathering/ #mypaddlestory

Note to self: When in doubt, paddle it out. I used to think I was good at hiding when I needed a break, but Heather has me figured out. She can see the “land-locked jitters” from a mile away! One look at me and she knows I need to get out for a little adventure! Sometimes the best way to find clarity is to get a little salty. How about you? #mypaddlestory #lifeisbetteronthewater #nimbuspaddles #nrsweb