Who We Are
Kayak Ontario is more than a sea kayaking school; we are a community built around access, mentorship, and shared passion for the water. Our mission is to make sea kayaking safe, inclusive, and inspiring for everyone who wants to explore Ontario’s incredible coasts and inland waterways.
Founded by Aaron Gascoyne, a Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer and Certified Engineering Technologist, Kayak Ontario operates courses and guided expeditions across Georgian Bay, Lake Superior, the Maritimes and Brazil. We offer Paddle Canada-certified training from beginner to instructor levels, as well as specialized leadership and guiding programs.
Explore Courses
Our Commitment to Community
At Kayak Ontario, we believe that the heart of the outdoor industry is built through community. We invest in guides, educators, and community leaders who inspire through action, not attention. We proudly support the following organizations whose work makes the outdoors more inclusive and accessible:
Steel Town Athletic Club
A Hamilton-based collective creating outdoor adventure and sport opportunities for BIPOC youth and families.
Colour the Trails
Building safe spaces and outdoor opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour across Canada.
Brown Girl Outdoor World
Creating outdoor experiences and mentorship for women of colour in paddling, hiking, fishing, and beyond.
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS)
Supporting Survivors and their families through trauma-informed programs that contribute to healing and reconciliation.
Bruce Trail Conservancy
Protecting and preserving the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment through conservation and community engagement.
BIPOC Outdoor Gear Library
Reducing barriers to outdoor participation by lending affordable gear and providing education for equitable access.
About the Founder
Aaron Gascoyne, B.Comm., C.E.T. is the founder of Kayak Ontario and an Instructor Trainer with Paddle Canada and ORCKA. Aaron is one of Canada’s most active sea-kayaking educators, known for designing clear, accessible pathways that guide paddlers from their first strokes to multi-day expeditions across Georgian Bay, Lake Superior, the Maritimes, and coastlines throughout Europe and South America.
Aaron’s approach is grounded in analytical clarity, safety, and student-centred design. With a background in engineering, operations research, and years of coaching both youth and adults, he focuses on making complex skills understandable without gatekeeping or performance culture. The courses he designs balance technical progression with psychological safety, giving people space to learn, make mistakes, and grow.
He has created several programs now considered industry standards, including modern Level 1–3 progressions, leadership pathways, and expedition-based learning models. His work supports a new generation of guides and instructors who value inclusion, trauma-aware coaching, and community over hierarchy.
Before founding Kayak Ontario, Aaron coached competitive and inner-city hockey and worked in renewable-energy systems. That blend of structure and empathy still shapes the way he leads today: calm, prepared, and always focused on connection.
Education & Certifications
- Ontario Tech University: B.Comm. (Honours, Operations Research)
- Niagara College: Electrical Engineering Technology – Power Systems
- Certified Engineering Technologist: O.A.C.E.T.T.
- Paddle Canada: Level 4 Skills, Level 3 Instructor, Level 2 Instructor Trainer
- ORCKA: CK3 and KT 3 instructor and Instructor Trainer
- CanBoat Registered Examiner: VHF ROC-M Examiner
- National Coaching Certification Program: Registered Coach
- Hockey Canada: Level 2 Hockey Coach
Publications
Aaron is the primary author behind Kayak Ontario’s modern training resources. His written work focuses on clarity, accessibility, and practical skill development for paddlers and new guides.
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Kayak Ontario Level 1 Sea Kayak Skills Manual
Foundations of sea kayaking, risk management, coastal awareness, and introductory rescue techniques. -
Kayak Ontario Level 2 Sea Kayak Skills Manual
Intermediate coastal paddling, navigation fundamentals, group management, and open-water rescues. -
Kayak Ontario Level 3 Sea Kayak Skills Manual & LMS
Advanced rough-water paddling, expedition planning, environmental systems, and leadership development. -
Kayak Ontario Online Level 1 Course
A complete digital introduction to foundational sea-kayaking theory and safety concepts. -
Kayak Ontario Online Level 2 Course
Intermediate theory including navigation, marine forecasts, environmental hazards, and trip planning. -
Kayak Ontario Online Level 3 Course
Advanced online modules covering technical leadership, coastal decision-making, and expedition systems. -
The Kayak Ontario Coaching Manual — forthcoming 2026
A modern coaching framework for inclusive, trauma-aware, student-centred sea-kayaking instruction.
These materials form the backbone of Kayak Ontario’s in-person and online programs, supporting a clear and inclusive pathway from beginner skills to advanced leadership.
Our Full-Time Staff
Iza Paixão
Head Coach & Program Manager
Iza is a Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer and one of the key architects behind Kayak Ontario’s modern curriculum. She brings a relational, trauma-aware coaching style, deep technical skill, and a calm, grounded leadership presence to every course and expedition.
Jill Graham
Instructor & Guide
Jill is a full-time instructor and outdoor educator who blends clear technical coaching with a supportive, student-centred teaching style. She plays a major role in skills development, safety instruction, and leadership training. Jill is a trained teacher with extensive experience in outdoor and experiential education.
Kathleen Stevack
Instructor & Guide
Kathleen is a full-time expedition guide known for her calm presence, strong rescue skills, and passion for welcoming new paddlers into the world of multi-day sea kayaking. She is also a Great Lakes scientist specializing in marine habitats, water quality, and freshwater ecosystems — and she knows more about mayflies than anyone should reasonably be expected to.
Alice Kennedy
Instructor & Guide
Alice brings a thoughtful, student-centred approach to coastal paddling and leadership development. Her focus is on building confidence, judgment, and calm decision-making in dynamic water. She is a lifelong outdoor professional with a degree in Outdoor Anthropology and a deep commitment to inclusive, mentorship-based instruction.
Alongside our full-time staff, we are supported by a strong network of contract coaches. Each one is highly trained, thoroughly vetted, and aligned with Kayak Ontario’s commitment to safe, inclusive, student-centred instruction.