Paddlefest Instructors

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Keith is a Paddle Canada instructor in advanced solo and tandem lake and moving water canoeing ,in wilderness camping and an instructor trainer in all 3 disciplines  He’s a certified sea kayak instructor and an instructor trainer in cross-country skiing. Keith lives in Corner Brook but was born in Rocky Hr. and moved to Corner Brook when he was 10. After retiring from the teaching profession in 2003 he worked as a hunting and fishing guide and then as a manager in the industry. He currently divides his time between canoe and ski instructing, guiding tours in Norris Point and guiding big game hunters. He recently purchased a white water kayak and is really loving that. His favorite type of paddling is wilderness river tripping, especially in Labrador.

Shannon Sweetland is a Paddle Canada certified Level 2 Sea Kayak Instructor and Canoe Instructor.

Shannon’s was first introduced to paddling as part of the Scouts Canada canoeing program. However,

Sea Kayaking intrigued him early in his teaching career in Woody Point where he developed a great

appreciation for the mobility and durability of the sea kayak and its connection with the ocean.

Shannon enjoys many types of paddling such as flatwater and whitewater canoeing and kayaking.

However, his favorite paddling is exploring ocean coastlines, rock hopping, surfing and just being on

the open water. Recently, Shannon is enjoying rediscovering the rugged shores of his hometown Port

Union and other areas of the Bonavista Peninsula which has been designated as a Discovery Global

Geopark! Shannon owns and operates Element Outdoor Education offering experiential adventure

programming, experiences and paddling and archery certification to youth and adults. Shannon hopes

by exposing participants to their natural environment through activities designed for exploring the

outdoors they will become stewards for the environment and learn to appreciate the beauty of our

province and maintain it for future generations. Shannon currently lives on the province's west coast in the community Corner Brook where he works as a Physical Education teacher. Shannon has over 21

years of experience teaching and coaching people of all ages and ability levels. Shannon has

certifications in many areas of sport and outdoor education and continues to learn new skills to

challenge himself and pass along his knowledge to others. In his spare time, Shannon enjoys many

sports, outdoor activities, mountain biking, hunting, snowmobiling, skiing and having adventures with

his four boys!

Check out Shannon Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/findyourelement/

and Shannon’s website: https://www.elementode.com

Christopher has been kayaking on the sea and rivers for over 25 years and still sees the magic in

sharing the water with students and friends. He has earned his ACA Advanced Open Water Sea

Kayak Instructor, as well as The ACA level 4 Whitewater kayaking instructor certifications. He earned

his BCU 4 star award and is a Master Maine Sea Kayaking Guide. He is also a Wilderness First

Responder and a licensed and Certified Athletic Trainer and K-12 Heath and Physical Education

Teacher. Christopher is also a proud member of the P&H Custom Sea Kayaks Pro Paddling Team.

With Roots in the mountains and skiing in New Hampshire, Christopher and his wife took a trip to

Maine to try Sea Kayaking many years ago. Kayaking obsessed him so they stayed in Searsport,

Maine and his kayaking journey began and continues. Christopher loves teaching all aspects of

kayaking, from basic skills up to complex and advanced environments. He has a very unique way of

turning fear into fun by demystifying complex environments and breaking them down so students can

understand the dynamics and break through barriers to learning. He has the ability to differentiate his

instruction so every student in a group gets to meet their own personal challenges and above all enjoy

the process. 

Christopher enjoys all paddling environments especially currents like those found at his

home play spot of Blue Hill. He spends his time playing in the tide races, rock gardens and beach

breaks of Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Iceland. He also enjoys journeying by kayak and

all the aspects of trip planning and risk reduction. Basically, if there is water and a kayak involved he

is ready to rock! Christopher believes that Kayaking can be for everybody. He takes great pride in

helping folks get the most out of their kayaking life. Weather that's bashing about in the rocks and

swell or gliding over a calm mirror-like bay. He strives to connect with his students to understand each

individuals learning needs. And above all he believes that kayaking should be fun! Chances are if you

see him in a kayak, He has a huge smile, loud laugh and is ready to share some water with you.

Peter Thurlow is a Paddle Canada Level 1 instructor, based out of Norris Point. Before the oceans consumed his mind, he chased a career in the mountains, and other environments that make you feel small. Upon leaving Western Canada with his now wife Meigan, they bought kayaks, and lashed them to the Uhaul for the big move back to Newfoundland in 2013. Peter had never been in a sea kayak, but knew if he was moving back home, the ocean was going to become the new playground.   Peter enjoys putting himself into learning opportunities on the water, and gets great satisfaction watching other people develop their paddling experience. Surfing and coastal play are Peters preferred time in a boat, but he keeps his paddling well rounded with longer trips, symposiums, and almost any opportunity that could build his skills. 

Robert started paddling kayaks in 1992 in the UK. After seeing some video of white water paddling he attended a beginners white water paddling course put on by the YMCA. He initially paddled only white water and about 2005 started paddling sea kayaks and decided teaching and guiding would be a good way of staying out of trouble during retirement.    

Over the last 10 years he has worked as an instructor and guide with Cape LaHave Adventures, Pleasant Paddling, Candlebox Kayaking and Sea Sun Kayak Island Coast Adventures.   

Robert holds Paddle Canada Sea kayak level 3 skills and level 1 instructor, Paddle Canada rolling instructor, Paddle Canada Beginner River kayak instructor, British Canoe Union Sea Kayak 4* leader award and BCU coastal navigation certificate and Canadian Red Cross Wilderness & Remote First Aid  Though he still enjoys white water paddling he has come to prefer sea kayaking because or the variety facets from gentle touring in flat calm and multi day trips  to coping with 6 foot waves on tidal races and surf.  He has coached at the Shelbourne Kayak Festival and the Cape Breton Kayak Festival and has been appointed to coach at the Bay of Fundy Kayak Symposium later this year.  He has also assisted with Paddle Canada level 2 courses. 

Niki Foley is a Paddle Canada certified Sea Kayak Level 1 & Basic SUP instructor. She grew up in Nova Scotia and has lived and guided kayaking, SUP, canoe, backpacking, snowshoe expeditions in coastal BC, Northern New Brunswick, Northern Ontario, and Western Newfoundland. After a numbers of seasons working in tourism, Niki became a Wilderness Therapy Guide for teenagers struggling with substance use and mental health challenges. She now works as the Youth Outreach Worker for the 4 schools in Bonne Bay. Her favourite type of paddling is canoe tripping. She thinks that taking kids outdoors to talk about their mental health and support their wellbeing is the coolest job ever, especially when they ask if they can eat bugs and purposefully try to tip her watercraft.

Werner grew up in South Africa and had spent a large part of his life travelling with the military and the United Nations before retiring and settling in Canada. He, along with his wife, Kim, now own and operate Norse Cove Camping and Kayak Center on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. They are also the Canadian and Atlantic Seaboard dealers for Sterling Kayaks and Reed Chillcheater Paddling Clothing and Accessories.

Werner has a background in surf-skiing and has done some white water kayaking in Southern Africa but turned to sea kayaking whilst living in The Netherlands. His sea kayak returned to Canada with him and he began to explore the Wild Islands of the Atlantic Ocean. His love for Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore and kayaking lead him to grow the business and the sport.

As a Paddle Canada Level 1 Instructor with Level 3 Skills, Werner takes great pleasure in introducing people to kayaking in a beautiful and fun environment. Other checkboxes include Advanced Wilderness First Aid and SVOP.