À propos de nous

Instructeur de sauvetage en eau vive et en eaux vives, instructeur de pagayage en eau vive, guide d'expédition

Julian est tombé amoureux du kayak lors de sa première descente sur la rivière Futaleufu au Chili à l'âge de 17 ans. Il travaille depuis dans le secteur des eaux vives. Julian a travaillé comme guide de rafting et instructeur de kayak et de canoë au Canada, aux États-Unis, au Mexique, en Zambie, en Argentine, au Chili et au Costa Rica. En 2011, Julian et sa femme, Katie, ont lancé Paddle Patagonia , une entreprise d'aventure et de formation en eaux vives en Argentine.

En tant qu'instructeur de sauvetage, son attitude positive, son énergie débordante et son souci du détail font de lui un favori de ses élèves. Lorsqu'il ne s'occupe pas de cascades, ne guide pas d'excursions ou ne donne pas de cours, vous pouvez trouver Julian en train de passer du temps avec Katie et leurs enfants Teo et Emma et de construire leur maison en Argentine.

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Ice Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

Ryan is an experienced whitewater guide and kayaking instructor. Growing up, he was part of many sports teams and developed an interest in sports performance. Because of that experience, Ryan now has a unique ability to break down the steps to learning a new technical or physical skill.

As an instructor, he can help students interpret those steps in ways that help them learn. His background as an athlete also helps him coach people, and help walk them through getting into the right head space— seeing all the magic through the chaos, or taking it slow and easy in stressful situations.

Ryan’s spent most of his time exploring the rivers in Western Canada & Quebec— although he dreams of paddling all over the world. Ryan is also an expedition raft guide, ice rescue instructor, snowboarder, and a wilderness first responder.

His energy, hard work, and expertise has been an asset to the Boreal River team, both on and off the water.

General Manager

Ian’s love of water and the outdoors runs deep and flows through his veins. Ever since he was a child, growing up in Michigan, he spent much of his time hiking, hunting, and being in boats. He decided to pursue a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Studies. He is passionate about offering safe and meaningful outdoor adventures and believes that the outdoors can be a mirror with which we can see ourselves and others with more clarity.

Ian has worked as a Wilderness Guide and Program Director at various Wilderness Therapy and experiential adventure-based programs across the US and Canada.

Ian works out of his home office in the Laurentians of Quebec. He is an adventurer and loves exploring and deepening his knowledge of himself and the world around him. He loves spending time with his partner, two kids, and dog.

Ian’s passion for his work is contagious, and he can’t wait to speak with you about how you can be involved with Boreal River.

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Ice Rescue Instructor, Expedition Guide

Good luck finding Rianna anywhere other than on the river.  Rianna has been an outdoor educator and guide for the past seven years, in which time she has spent over 1300 nights in a tent!  If you join an adventure or course with Rianna, her energy and passion for her profession is contagious. She will teach you how to move your canoe down the river safely, and she is full of environmental science nuggets and games. She also educates herself with stories and history about the area you are travelling in. In her personal time, Rianna enjoys lots of whitewater paddling, mountain biking, running, skiing, and dog sledding. You can often find her on personal expeditions sharing this love with family and friends. Please be patient with Rianna in the morning until she has had her first coffee.

Rianna is also a Paddle Canada Canoe instructor.

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Ice Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

Raphael has spent a lot of time on and in the water. He has been passionate about the river ever since his first canoe expedition when he was 11 years old. After that, he learned kayaking and rafting as well. Always looking for new challenges, Raphaël paddled in Ecuador, the United States, and in various provinces of Canada. When not paddling or working for Boreal River, Raphaël might be teaching at the Gaspé Cégep for the Adventure Tourism program. If not, he might also be working for Camp Odyssée where he manages all the canoe and hiking expeditions.

Originally from Montreal, Raphaël has lived in different places in the province of Quebec. Now he is established in Quebec City where he can paddle some of his favourites rivers. Raphael loves teaching, and he is always committed to offer the best experience on each course. His energy and devotion mixed with his experience assure you a great time on and in the water.

Raphaël’s certifications include:

• Whitewater, Swiftwater and Ice Rescue Instructor
• Canot Kayak Quebec Whitewater Level III and Flatwater level II Canoe Instructor
• Wilderness First Responder

Expedition Guide, Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Addie’s adventures in white water began on the Ottawa River. Shortly after her first strokes in a kayak, she was hooked. She balanced a year-round paddling lifestyle by working as a raft guide in New Zealand during the Canadian winter and returning to the Ottawa River in the summer. Addie loves sharing her passion for whitewater with others. Whether it be a casual afternoon paddle or multi-day extravaganza, she’s always keen!

Addie owns and operates a small business making warm and fuzzy fleece tee shirts, an idea born on the Magpie River. In the future, she plans to balance whitewater awesomeness with working with BC ambulance.

Addie’s certifications include:
• Team Canada Women’s Rafting Team
• Whitewater Instructor
• Emergency Medical Responder
• NZ class 4/5 guide license

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Ice Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

In his mid-20s Max made a life-changing decision. Having worked as a machinist for the early part of his career, he found himself spending a lot of time reading outdoor magazines. One day, he decided that it wasn’t enough to live vicariously through magazines.

Since then he has studied adventure tourism at college in Gaspé, Quebec and completed a Bachelor of Outdoor Education in Chicoutimi. He started raft guiding on the Ottawa River, and he loves going down rivers in his whitewater canoe.

Max started guiding with Boreal River on the Magpie in 2016. He brings a calm air and diligence to everything he does. 

On expeditions, he likes waking people up with his harmonica, and he is a master of gear repair and trip organization. He enjoys teaching whitewater and wilderness skills, but he’s especially good at making sure everybody on an expedition is comfortable and having fun.

Max’s certifications include:
• Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe instructor
• Whitewater, swiftwater, and ice rescue instructor

Wilderness Medical Instructor

Mike has been exploring and learning in the outdoors since he was a child. Discovering a place for the first time, or the hundredth, has always been one of his primary joys. Sharing and introducing others to the spirit of the place only makes it better.

Mike has worked as an expedition guide since 2010 canoeing, hiking, and skiing in the Canadian Arctic. Through Boreal River, Mike became a Wilderness Medical Instructor in 2017 combining his interests in health science and the outdoors.

In his remaining time, Mike manages to wander into the clinic to work as an orthopedic physiotherapist.

Originally from Caledon East, Ontario, Mike now makes his home in Ottawa.

Mike’s Certifications Include:

• Hiking Guide – Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
• Swiftwater & Surface Ice Rescue Technician
• Emergency Medical Technician – National Registry of EMTs
• Wilderness Medical Instructor with Wilderness Medical Associates Canada
• Registered Physiotherapist – College of Physiotherapists Ontario

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Expedition Guide

Yan has been working in the outdoors ever since he finished his degree in Outdoor and Adventure Tourism at the University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC) in 2007. His different jobs led him to guide and travel across the country. His work involved teaching and guiding many activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, climbing, skiing, and rafting. He now lives in Saguenay, one of Quebec’s best cities for the outdoors.

Always ready for new challenges, Yan loves to help others push their limits and gain new skills. Passionate about whitewater and mountain sports, he thinks that adventure can change our vision of the world. Working with Boreal River since 2015, he enjoys sharing the beauty of the rivers and is always ready to share his knowledge and his experience with participants. Energetic, funny and professional, Yan brings a positive energy to the group and always makes sure everyone has a great experience.

Yan’s certifications include:

• Whitewater & Swiftwater Instructor
• CQK Canoe Instructor
• Outdoor and Adventure Tourism degree from UQAC
• Masters in Education from UQAC

Whitewater and Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Expedition Guide

Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to each program that he is part of. He has paddled and worked in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Chile. He has worked on rivers for several organizations including YMCA Camps, the Outdoor Education Group, and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Matt is an expert kayaker, a highly experienced canoe tripper, and a raft guide.

Like many from Ontario, Matt got into the world of whitewater through summer camp canoe tripping. Although he now spends almost all of his river time in a kayak, he still longs for those long summer canoe trips. Matt currently has a full time job as Program Manager at an outdoor and environmental education centre in Squamish, B.C. However, he makes time to join Boreal River to teach several rescue courses every spring and fall, and he has guided Boreal River trips on the Magpie.

Matt’s certifications include

• Wilderness First Responder
• Whitewater Rescue Technician
• Challenge Course Practitioner Level 2
• Swiftwater Motorboat Operator – Instructor Level

Wilderness Medical Instructor, Expedition Guide, Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor in training

Matt has been working in the outdoors industry for over 20 years and has facilitated, guided, instructed various groups in numerous wilderness and urban settings throughout Canada and the United States. Matt has a deep love of facilitating the development of connections to, and awareness of, both wilderness and self. Over the years, Matt has taken an interest in the concept of risk—risk assessment, tolerance, management and so on.

Recently, Matt has undertaken the study of osteopathy and will happily talk about this for hours. Most of his free time is now spent exploring the forest and rivers around his home in the Laurentian area of Quebec with his daughter Elaine and his partner Caroline. Matt’s calm demeanour, playful sense of humour, and varied background ensure a fun, safe, and engaging experience for all on any program he is involved with.

Wilderness Medical Instructor

Devorah is an avid backcountry wanderer when she is not exploring the rivers, lakes, and trails near her home in beautiful Wakefield, Quebec. Her varied work and life experience keeps her busy. She is a Health and Life Coach, a firefighter and medical first responder, the Director of the local youth drop-in center, and media coordinator for the Cold War Museum.

Devorah’s passion is connecting people with nature, and community.

Devorah’s certifications include:

• Wilderness First Responder
• Whitewater Rescue Technician
• Ice Rescue Technician
• Wilderness Medical Instructor with Wilderness Medical Associates International
• Urban First Responder
• Health and Life Coach

Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Expedition Guide

Joey got his first taste of whitewater on a canoe trip in Wabikimi Provincial Park when he was 15. This trip ignited a passion for paddling which has grown ever since. He has led whitewater canoe expeditions throughout Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. Joey loves to prepare high-quality food while out on expeditions and is passionate about including local ingredients like fish. He loves to share the river with others and experience the joy of connecting to the special places that only those travelling down a river get to enjoy.

Joey is an outdoor educator based out of Thunder Bay, Ontario. He teaches full-time in a land based education program for Indigenous youth coming from remote communities. He is an avid paddler and enjoys the river in many different ways, when the water freezes you can find him on top of it skiing, fat biking, or most likely fishing.

Joey’s certifications include:

• Whitewater, Swiftwater and Ice Rescue Instructor
• Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Instructor
• Ontario College of Teachers
• Masters of Education

Instructeur de sauvetage en eau vive et en eaux vives, instructeur de sauvetage sur glace, guide d'expédition

Depuis plus d’une décennie, Benji guide les gens sur terre et sur les rivières, et son travail et ses voyages personnels l’ont conduit d’un océan à l’autre.

Benji, un excursionniste en canoë chevronné devenu coureur de rivière en kayak, est passionné par le fait de « sortir » pour voyager, jouer et s'imprégner des joies et des connaissances que l'eau en mouvement peut apporter.

Fort d'une expérience dans la facilitation d'expéditions et d'expériences pour un large éventail de personnes, Benji aborde son rôle en mettant l'accent sur l'aide aux personnes pour qu'elles se sentent bien soutenues afin qu'elles puissent se connecter au monde extérieur de la manière qu'elles recherchent.

Pour Benji, la pratique d'excellentes techniques de sauvetage et de gestion des risques et la traversée des bassins versants sont essentielles. En tant qu'instructeur, guide et passionné de rivière, il est reconnaissant des apprentissages, des liens et des amitiés nouées sur terre et sur les voies navigables.

Originaire d'Ottawa, Benji vit à Chelsea, au Québec, et il considère avec affection les deux côtés de la rivière des Outaouais comme son chez-soi. En plus de son travail continu avec Boreal River, Benji travaille également comme arboriste.

Les certifications de Benji incluent :

• Instructeur de sauvetage en eau vive, en eau vive et sur glace, rivière Boréale
• Instructeur de canoë et de kayak, ORCKA
• Arboriste certifié par l'Ordre des métiers de l'Ontario

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

Julian fell in love with kayaking on his first run of the Futaleufu River in Chile when he was 17. He has been in the whitewater industry ever since. Julian has worked as a rafting guide and kayak and canoe instructor in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Zambia, Argentina, Chile, and Costa Rica. In 2011, Julian and his wife, Katie, started Paddle Patagonia, a whitewater adventure and training operation in Argentina.

As a rescue instructor, his positive attitude, high energy, and attention to detail make him a favourite of his students. When he’s not running waterfalls, guiding trips, or instructing courses, you can find Julian spending time with Katie and their kids Teo and Emma and building their home in Argentina.

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Ice Rescue Instructor Trainer, Whitewater Paddling Instructor

Jimmy began work as an Expedition Paddling Guide & Instructor in 2004 in Northern Saskatchewan, where he was born and raised. Since then, he has worked in nearly every province and territory in Canada, as well as Greenland, the United States, Belize and the Caribbean, Mexico, Argentina, and Antarctica. His passion in life is paddling as a means to travel through and experience wild places and meet the people who make them home. For the past six years, Jimmy has lived aboard an expedition ship working in Antarctica. His notable experiences in life include working annually with the British Army training programs. When not working, he is often found out on the rivers and lakes paddling, fishing, and hunting (for photos or meat) in Northern Saskatchewan.

Jimmy’s certifications include:

• Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer for Moving Water Canoe
• Wilderness Camping/Leadership
• Sea Kayak and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Wilderness First Responder

He’s also a competition shooting coach and is a registered sailor in the Bahamas.

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

Kailee has been working in the whitewater guiding industry for 11 years. She grew up canoeing in Saskatchewan then jumped into whitewater by learning how to kayak on the Futaleufu in Chile. From there, Kailee has had many adventures working in Alberta, B.C., Ontario, Yukon, Mexico, and New Zealand. She has had the great pleasure of paddling with other talented women to win Rafting Nations twice and compete in the international raft racing scene. Aside from paddling, Kailee enjoys a good building project, particularly using natural lime and clay plasters and strawbale construction concepts. She also has a passion for ecological restoration and has completed a small handful of local projects… some successful and some not so much.

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Ice Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

Vincent brings a combination of paddling skill and education experience to whitewater rescue courses. He has been guiding whitewater canoe expeditions with teens for years including several 30-day expeditions on the Broadback River in the James Bay region. Vincent also paddles kayaks, OC1, and rafts all over the place and especially in the Gaspé area, where he explores the backcountry for whitewater filled adventures.

Vincent completed an Adventure Tourism degree at CEGEP. After that, he studied physical education and is a certified teacher. He’s currently working as an Adventure Tourism teacher in Gaspé. He’s also a ski instructor and coach.

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Francis’ parents introduced him to whitewater before he could walk. They passed on their passion for the river, even if it was in their old homemade fibreglass canoe. Since 2007, Francis has been working on the rivers and lakes of Québec as a canoe and raft guide. Francis is also into whitewater kayaking, and he has travelled to different countries to paddle, including Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and the United States. He also likes to help people learn and grow a passion for sport, which is why he studied Physical Education in college.

Originally from Baie-Saint-Paul, Francis now lives in Gaspé where he works as a teacher at the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles in the Adventure Tourism program: the dream! He has been teaching whitewater rescue courses with Boreal River since 2018, and he also teaches canoeing skills. He lives off of his passion for the outdoors and he is eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with you!

Francis’ certifications include:

• CKQ Canoe Instructor Level 3
• Professional Avalanche Operations Level 1
• Wilderness First Responder

Expedition Guide, Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor

Ty grew up on the shores of Lake Simcoe, Ontario, where he learned his first paddling moves. Eventually, whitewater beckoned, and he became proficient in canoes, kayaks, rafts and catarafts (think catamaran for whitewater). Ty has a BScH and an MSc in Environmental Science, focusing on contaminants in rivers.

For several years Ty has guided on the Magpie and Ottawa-area rivers and then travelled to Chile and the Futaleufu River, completing a near-endless summer. During Boreal River expeditions he plays mandolin, guitar, and sings – for ambience. Ty currently resides and guides in Squamish B.C. He also instructs on whitewater rescue courses as a member of the burgeoning “Boreal River West” contingent.

Ty’s certifications include:

• International Rafting Federation: Trip Leader (Class V)
• Wilderness First Responder
• Boreal River Rescue Assistant Instructor

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

Zofia is passionate about connecting people to the planet, and she guides to inspire reciprocal relationships with the river. Since 2012, she has shared her love for teaching on the water in rafts, kayaks, and canoes. She has worked in her first “river home” on the Madawaska all the way west to the Skeena watershed and the Tongass temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska.

Zofia’s education and interest in Psychology and Environmental Studies is woven into her grounded, compassionate style as well as her guiding experience with outdoor behavioural healthcare for youth, land-based education programs, and whitewater paddling and rescue instruction.

Zofia also works for Riparia, a charity that connects young women and science on the water, and Nature Connect, an urban outdoor school program that connects children with nature close to home. Zofia is a Water Rangers ambassador and loves to share this awesome citizen science initiative with students on the river—ask her about it!

Zofia’s certifications include:

• Whitewater Rescue Instructor
• Wilderness First Responder
• Paddle Canada River Kayak Instructor