If you'd asked me five years ago where I'd be today, I honestly wouldn't have expected to be here, paddling along some of the most beautiful coastlines, becoming an instructor and guide, actually managing to roll a kayak.

And yet, here I am... (fighting the urge to yell "Rock You Like A Hurricane" after that—and failing). 

Kayaking to me is freedom, an escape from the noise and a gateway to adventure. I’ve never felt more alive than when I’m on the water. My journey from an eager first-time paddler to a certified Paddle Canada Instructor and SKGABC Assistant Overnight Guide has been a whirlwind of discovery, growth, and transformation. Every stroke has deepened my love for paddling and my desire to share that feeling with others. 

Paddling gave me direction at a time when everything else felt adrift. I’ve lived with epilepsy for years, and with that comes uncertainty and, honestly, fear. But when I joined the paddling community, I was relieved to find not stigma, but acceptance. I found home, a sense of belonging where backgrounds, abilities, and stories are celebrated. The sea has taught me rhythm, patience, and resilience. It has a way of showing you that your story isn’t just defined by your limitations—it’s written in how you rise, fall, and keep paddling anyway. 

You don’t fight the water as much as you dance with it. (If you hear someone trying to sing "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" out in English Bay, it's most likely me…)

From instructing at Jericho Beach Kayak, False Creek, and guiding treks in Guatemala, to educating others about the outdoors and spending every chance I get on the water, I’ve discovered what it means to build connection; with people, with place, and with myself. Every person I’ve paddled beside, whether on a casual day trip, an unexpected “go with the roll” session, or a life-changing multi-day expedition, has left a mark on me. I carry those stories with me—they’ve become part of my own.

I name the things that shape me. My Greenland paddle, Blackfin, is named for the orcas I’ve been lucky enough to dance with in the water. My TRAK kayak, Atitlán, is named after the Guatemalan lake that holds a deep place in my heart. The spirit of adventure, that’s Frolickhein. Paddling has taken me across wild coastlines and deep within myself, and with each trip, each moment of stillness at sea, I’m reminded of a quote I live by:

“Little by little, one travels far.”