A PFD only works if you’re wearing it 🦺
This Safe Boating Awareness Week, Paddle Canada and the Canadian Safe Boating Council (@csbc_boatingtips ) are reminding paddlers to make wearing a lifejacket or PFD part of every trip on the water.
Cold water, changing weather, unexpected swims — conditions can shift fast. Wearing your PFD gives you valuable time, buoyancy, and protection when it matters most.
Comfortable, reliable, and designed for paddling, today’s PFDs are made to move with you so there’s no reason to leave it behind.
For Steven and Angela, paddling has been a lifelong pathway to adventure, mentorship, and community. As Paddle Canada Instructors and Instructor Trainers with decades of combined experience, the duo has guided and taught everywhere from the Boundary Waters and Nahanni River to northern Saskatchewan and beyond.
Through their work with Aha Adventures (@aha.adventures ), they’ve helped countless paddlers build confidence on the water while fostering meaningful connections to the outdoors. In this special joint interview, Steven and Angela reflect on their journey into paddling, their approach to teaching, and the moments that continue to inspire them after more than 15 years of working together.
Read their POV through the link in our bio 🔗
Swipe through to find out why you shouldn't take a Paddle Canada course this summer 👉️
.....alright. We tried, we really did, but we could only come up with five reasons *to* take a course this summer.
💙 Gain confidence on the water
💙 Improve your nautical knowledge
💙 Meet likeminded folks
💙 Try a new discipline
💙 Get outdoors even more
Want to learn more about our courses and where you can take one? Visit our website through the link in our bio for all the info 🔗
Help shape the future of paddling in Canada 🌊
The Instructor Trainer Mentorship Subsidy is designed to grow the next generation of leaders by supporting mentorship, development, and succession of Instructor Trainers and Instructors nationwide.
✈️ Funding helps cover travel + accommodations
🤝 Connect regions with limited Instructor Trainer availability
📈 Build stronger, more accessible paddling programs across the country
Priority is given to:
• Mentorship in underserved regions or disciplines
• Expanding the pool of qualified instructors to meet growing demand
📅 Applications close May 18, 2026
If you’re ready to invest in leadership and elevate your paddling community, this is your opportunity. Learn more and apply through the link in our bio 🔗
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🚣♂️ Garrett Fache (@garrettfache , @wildloonadventurecompany )
Paddle Canada, ORCKA, and WCHA are teaming up once again for the Ontario Solo Canoe Rendezvous — June 19–21 in Peterborough, ON!
Expect a full weekend of:
✨ Skill-building clinics (on and off the water)
🛶 Inspiring paddlers—well-known names and hidden gems alike
🏛️ Tours of the Canadian Canoe Museum
🔧 Wooden canoe restoration sessions
🌊 Live demos to level up your technique
There's something for everyone from refining your stroke or just getting started, this is your chance to paddle smoother, stronger, and with confidence.
Pre-registration required. Learn more and sign up through the link in our bio 🔗
Looking to level up your paddling community? 🚣♂️
Paddle Canada’s Event Support Grant is here to help bring your instructor-led events and symposiums to life—from professional development sessions to certification refreshers.
💰 $2,500 in funding available
📅 Apply by May 18, 2026
📉 Low number of applications (aka better chances for you!)
Whether you're planning a hands-on workshop or a full-scale symposium, this is your chance to make it happen.
Learn more info and apply though the link in our bio 🔗
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🚣♂️ Jarrod McQuillan (@cloud9kayak )
Honouring a legacy. Supporting the future. 🌿🛶
The Bill Mason Scholarship is now accepting applications for 2026.
Established by Paddle Canada in 1990 with the Mason family, this $2,000 annual scholarship celebrates the spirit, values, and vision of Bill Mason—supporting the next generation of environmental stewards making a real difference today and for years to come.
Eligibility:
• Canadian citizen
• Full-time student at a Canadian college or university
• Undergraduate (2nd year or higher)
• Studying Outdoor Recreation, Education, Environmental Studies, or a related field
• Minimum B+ (75%) average
• Background in paddling, instruction, and/or leadership (canoe, kayak, or SUP)
Learn more info and apply through the link in our bio 🔗
SafeSport Training is coming to Paddle Canada 🏅
Creating safe, welcoming paddling spaces starts with education. That’s why Safe Sport training will become mandatory for all Paddle Canada Instructors starting in 2027.
✅️ Free, accredited course (2–3 hours)
✅️ Required for Instructor Trainers, staff, board & volunteers by end of 2026
✅️ Will be tracked as part of certification maintenance
We encourage Instructor Trainers to start introducing this training to candidates in 2026.
Safe sport is a shared responsibility—and this is an important step in preventing harassment, bullying, and maltreatment in our community.
Free money to level up your paddling? Yeah, that’s a thing. 👀
If you’re under 25 or an Instructor, the Paddle Canada Youth Grant is here to help you get on the water, build skills, and take the next step—without the financial barrier holding you back. From skills courses to instructor training and mentorship, this funding is designed to open doors.
There are three ways to get involved:
🛶 Apply as an individual to offset course fees
🏫 Bring paddling to your community through a youth group or school
🧑🏫 Offer free or subsidized training as an instructor or trainer
Whether you’re just starting out, chasing your next certification, or looking to give back - this is your opportunity to receive financial backing to support your goals.
Applications close May 18th. Apply now through the link in our bio 🔗
From the rugged shores of Lake Superior to the icy waters of Antarctica, Paddle Canada Sea Kayaking Instructor Zack Kruzins has built a life defined by adventure, education, and a deep respect for the wilderness. As the owner of Such A Nice Day (S.A.N.D.) Adventures (@itssuchaniceday ), Zack has spent decades guiding and teaching paddlers through some of the most remote and awe-inspiring environments on the planet.
But his journey began much closer to home portaging canoes through Dundas and Algonquin with his dad, discovering an early love for the rhythm, challenge, and unpredictability of the water. Shaped by formative experiences in camps, leadership training, and powerful moments on Lake Superior, Zack’s path to becoming an instructor is rooted in both passion and purpose.
Read Zack's POV through the link in our bio 🔗
Celebrating National Volunteer Week and announcing our 2025 Volunteer Award recipients 🏆️
During our Annual Meeting earlier this month we recognized Paddle Canada volunteers who truly embody what it means to give back. Each of these individuals shine in their own way, and we're proud to shine a light on their accomplishments in strengthening Canada's paddling community.
💙 Kirk Wipper Award - Priscilla Haskin
💙 Paddle Canada Volunteer Award - Jenn Givens
💙 Instructor Volunteer Award - Kerry Lewis
We sincerely thank all award winners for their dedication, and to all those who were nominated. Paddle Canada runs on volunteers including our Board of Directors. Their selflessness and sense of community is what makes our organization so impactful.
Read more about our 2025 recipients through the link in our bio 🔗
Earth Day 2026 🌎️
Clean water. Wild places. And the freedom to explore them by paddle.
This Earth Day, we’re reminded that every stroke connects us to something bigger and every choice we make on the water matters. Pack it out, respect wildlife, and protect the shorelines we rely on.
Leave No Trace Canada (@leavenotrace.ca ) has 7 principals to keep in mind while you're out in the wild:
✅️ Plan ahead and prepare
✅️ Travel and camp on durable surfaces
✅️ Dispose of waste properly
✅️ Leave what you find
✅️ Minimize campfire impacts
✅️ Respect Wildlife
✅️ Be considerate of others
No water, no paddling. It’s that simple. 🌎🛶
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📸 Peter Yates (@thewaytothesea )
📍 Current Island, NFLD
