MEET OUR TEAMKELLY started Georgian Bay Paddling in 2019. She first learned of her love for canoeing through the Outdoors club at her Collingwood high school and continued to practice the sport throughout her life, often with her own kids in tow, and enjoying kayaking as well. Later in life, as an established teacher, Kelly decided to earn her ORKCA Basic Canoeing Instructor Certification in order to combine two of her favourite things: teaching and paddling. She feels very fortunate to be able to teach these skills in the beautiful Collingwood area, helping to build confidence and empowerment among her clients.
Qualifications: ORCKA Basic Canoeing Instructor, ORCKA, Flatwater Kayak Instructor, ORCKA Day Trip Leader, ORCKA River Running 1A, ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling 1A&B, ORCKA Voyageur Canoeing Level 2, ORCKA Flatwater Kayaking, Wilderness Water Safety Certification, Red Cross Remote First Aid, OCT
(photo credit: Adam Miller)JEANETTE is a certified teacher with a wealth of knowledge about the natural environment in our local area. She has lived and taught in England, India, South Africa and Canada, offering an open and worldly perspective in everything she does. She is always up for an adventure and has some great tripping stories to share. Her technical paddling skills, sense of humour, and ease with working with people will have you feeling very comfortable on the water.
Qualifications: ORCKA Basic Canoeing Instructor, ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling 1A, ORCKA Voyageur Canoeing Level 2, Red Cross Remote First Aid, OCT (photo credit: Andrea Hamlin)
BEN is an outdoor enthusiast who loves all seasons. He started canoe tripping on crownland and in Algonquin Park at a very young age and now has multiple seasons of experience working as an overnight trip guide. He has attended Lakehead University's Outdoor Recreation program, collecting incredible and varied skills along the way. He loves teaching paddling skills and feels happiest when he is on the water.
Qualifications: ORCKA Basic Canoeing Instructor, Wilderness First Responder
Our Mission at Georgian Bay Paddling is to provide a safe, fun, inclusive and informative environment for everyone who has an interest in paddling, whether new to it or looking to improve technique. Equity and AccessibilityAt Georgian Bay Paddling we are committed to offering programming to all. If someone wants to get on the water, we want to help them get there! Since every person's needs are unique, please feel free to contact us so we can work together toward removing barriers that exist and introduce you to the amazing world of recreational paddling.
If you are interested in competitive paddling for people with disabilities, click on this link:
https://canoekayak.ca/paddle-all/
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS WILL BE IN PLACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SIMCOE MUSKOKA PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT IF NEEDED.
Please visit simcoemuskokahealth.org for updates to information.