Our Team

EJ went into kayaking by starting to play kayak polo in 2004. From there, he was hooked on kayaking and has since been on many trips ranging from short weekend to 3-week kayaking trips in Europe, BC and Mexico.

EJ has been a kayaking instructor for 15 years and has been running the kayaking school and operations at Ecomarine and now Jericho Beach Kayak for the past years.
He loves kayaking as a sport but he also loves that kayaking can be a vehicle to discover oneself, to grow, and to build connections, whether it is to the outdoors, to each other, or to oneself. Running the Operations and the School at Jericho Beach Kayak for EJ is as much about kayaking as it is about the community and about supporting new staff and instructors in their development. As a member of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community, EJ is especially passionate about EDI and is actively working towards creating a welcoming and inclusive space for both staff and customers.

Outside of work he loves to kayak as well and loved to take his 3 young kids on trips around BC. Being able to discover beautiful places in the wilderness that are only accessible by boat, camp on serene beaches, listening to the ocean while falling asleep, watch and enjoy the wildlife, as well as playing in rough waters and testing his skills and boundaries is what continues to draw him onto the water over and over again.

Charlie was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and raised in Vancouver his whole life. Charlie grew up sailing around the Gulf Islands with his family and has enjoyed camping, skiing, paddling, and hiking from a very young age. At the age of 16, Charlie attended the VSB's TREK outdoor education program which enhanced his love for the outdoors and the environment.
Currently, he is studying business at the University of Victoria and is looking forward to his first season at JBK this year!

Madeline moved to Vancouver from Ontario for university, where she is pursuing a degree in Business with a minor in Sustainability at UBC.
She loves spending time outdoors, whether it's hiking, skiing, or competing in triathlons. Madeline is extremely excited to develop her sea kayaking skills while also getting the opportunity to connect with the members of the community.
Madeline believes that staying active while building relationships with people and the environment is a deeply meaningful experience. She is absolutely thrilled for her first season with the Jericho Beach Kayak team!

Amrita is an international third-year Psychology student at UBC with a strong passion for the benefits of exercise and the joy of spending time outdoors. She loves staying active year-round and enjoys swimming, hiking, and attending fitness classes. Amrita is excited to join us for her first summer at Jericho Beach Kayak and looks forward to sharing her love for the outdoors with everyone.

This is Alex's 8th year with the team at Jericho Beach- in her opinion the most beautiful and welcoming place in the city.
As a Level 1 Paddle Canada Instructor, she enjoys teaching beginners through to the Complete Series, as well as bridging fun, exploration-based paddles for youth and is a regular face on the Social Paddle scene, appreciating the perfect mix of new and familiar faces.
A few favourite local paddling locations under her tow belt include oyster-filled Desolation Sound, the dramatic changing landscapes of Bowron Lakes and the magical waters of the Broken Group. Abroad, she has ventured through mangrove forests in Belize and sandy beaches in Cambodia, and yet sea kayaking at home is a greatest privilege.
Alex believes that the connection to community and nature on the Ayyulshun/English Bay waters is unparalleled- a bold statement in our special city.

Andaya has just finished high school and is planning a gap year, volunteering on marine conservation projects around the world, before studying engineering at UBC. Andaya loves paddling! She started with JBK in a summer camp, then helped out as a volunteer youth leader with JBK before getting her Paddle Canada Level 2 and Basic Instructor certifications. She has also done some kayak camping trips, including one where a humpback surfaced about 5 m from her kayak. When she is not on the water, Andaya performs in musical theatre productions, plays soccer and learns languages.

Annelisa loves sharing her passion for sea kayaking with her students. As a trained classical musician, she understands the importance of imparting good technique from the start of a learning journey and deliberate practice in ingraining these skills. Annelisa is deeply curious about how we can work with the nervous system and the sensory motor system in movement including in paddling and rolling. Annelisa brings experience as a Hanna somatic movement teacher to her kayaking instruction. Annelisa loves paddling in surf and currents, and working on rolling to increase confidence in dynamic water. She has Paddle Canada Level 4 skills. In the summer, Annelisa can often be found at Kitsilano pool.

Ariana is a born and raised Vancouverite with a love of nature. She is currently studying Outdoor Recreation Management at Capilano University with the goal of working as an outdoor educator. She is trained as a sea kayak guide and instructor and is excited to share her love of the outdoors and blue spaces with other paddlers. When she's not on the water you might find her practicing yoga or walking her dog

Cara was born and raised in Vancouver and the Gulf Islands in a very boat-loving family. She has been sailing and kayaking since before she could see over the gunwales. The VSB’s outdoor education program TREK piqued Cara’s interest in the outdoor industry and she joined JBK as a Youth Camp Coordinator in 2020.
As well as kayaking, Cara is a lifeguard, enjoys a good book, and competes provincially and nationally in nordic skiing for Hollyburn XC Ski Club’s race team. She is graduating from Kitsilano High in 2021 and is looking forward to a post-secondary life that will involve outdoor adventures, skiing, and eventually studying Journalism and Humanities at Ottawa’s Carleton University. She’s sure that the West Coast and the Salish Sea will always be home, though!"

Chris grew up in Vancouver, BC. Although he had gone on a few kayaking tours as a kid, he didn’t start seriously paddling until he started working at JBK on the rentals team in 2020. After taking his Basic Certification in 2021, Chris was hooked, and started working as an instructor in the summer of 2021. Since then, he has gotten his Level 2 cert, and is now a Level 1 instructor.
Although Chris hasn’t ventured on many longer-distance trips, he loves simply paddling around the English Bay area and just getting on the water. He also loves working on skills like rolling, paddle strokes, and re-entries, and is passionate about sharing his love of the water with guests
and students at JBK.
This summer, he is guiding tours, teaching Basic and Level 1 courses, teaching intro to surfski clinics, and will be assisting/shadowing as a rolling instructor for the first time.
In his spare time, Chris is an avid gravel cyclist, plays basketball, and recently started weight training again after a hiatus of a few years.

Chris Ladner was the owner of Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres for 27 years. He began his paddling career in 1973 with his own homemade skin on frame kayak. Since then he has been on dozens of kayaking trips on the British Columbia coast, a few of over a month long. He has also organized kayak trips to the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Cayman Islands, Bahamas, and Holland.

Chris has a background in sporting goods design, manufacturing and distribution. He teaches kayaking skills regularly and is a Paddle Canada Level Two Instructor, Level One Instructor Trainer with Level Four Skills. He can often be found hanging out in the waters of English Bay. He loves to share his passion for paddling.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Christina has grown up with a passion for the outdoors and watersports. Her kayaking journey began with summers on lakes in interior BC before moving on to sea kayaking day trips around English Bay and overnight excursions in Indian Arm. She studied Geophysics at UBC and spent a semester in New Zealand where she joined the university’s outdoor and kayaking clubs. She loves backpacking, painting, hiking, and meeting new people. Some of her favourite places she’s travelled to include Vietnam, Ireland, and Morocco. She’s stoked for her first season with the Jericho Beach Kayak team!

Deanne moved to Vancouver 4 years ago and she has loved being a part of the sea kayaking community at Jericho Beach Kayak as a paddler. She is looking forward to her third season as a staff member and sharing her love of kayaking with others. Deanne enjoys getting ouside all year long. Her favourite outdoor activities outside of kayaking are skiing (both cross country and downhill), hiking, cycling, and backcountry camping.

Ethan is a kinesiology graduate from Seattle, Washington, who has lived and studied in Vancouver for the past 3 years. Passionate about the benefits of exercise and the joy of the outdoors, Ethan is excited to share his love of the sport of kayaking, and show everyone the beautiful waters around Vancouver. As well as kayaking, Ethan enjoys indoor bouldering, skiing and ultramarathon running. Ethan re-found his love of kayaking from when he was younger after a trip kayaking last year, and is excited to join us for his first summer at Jericho Beach Kayak.

Grace grew up in Prince George and Kamloops before moving to Vancouver to pursue a degree in English Literature at UBC. Grace is excited for her first season with the Jericho Beach Kayak team!
As a lifelong believer in the mental and physical health benefits of exercise, she is excited to develop her sea kayaking skills while also connecting with members of the community.
Outside of studying, Grace is a competitive Highland dancer and casual CrossFitter. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with family and going to the movies.

Havana grew up in Vancouver and spent her childhood summers on multi-day paddling trips off the coast of Vancouver Island, exploring the waters of Johnstone Strait and Clayoquot Sound. She spent many winters in Central America, sea kayaking along the Belize Barrier Reef and whitewater paddling down the rivers of inland Belize. Havana is an outdoor educator and elementary school teacher. She recently returned to Vancouver from Montreal and is thrilled to be back on the West Coast surrounded by the ocean and the mountains. Now entering her second season with the Jericho Beach Kayak team, Havana is excited to help paddlers of all ages gain confidence on the water and discover the joy of kayaking and coastal exploration.

Julian entering his last final year at Lord Byng Secondary School, where he is part of the Byng Arts Drama and Choir programs. His main passions are singing and acting, whether on stage or behind the camera. But when he is not performing, you will most likely find him outside. He loves skiing, hiking, swimming, and especially kayaking.

Growing up in Vancouver gave Julian plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, and he is now excited to share that passion with others. As a youth camp coordinator, he is thrilled to help kids discover how fun and rewarding kayaking and outdoor adventures can be.

Kat is originally from the uk and has lived and worked all over Canada, they moved to Vancouver a year and a half ago. Kat loves to travel and always tries to incorporate a kayak trip into their travels wherever they go.
Kat has a background in film making and was in punk bands for over 10 years. Kat loves to be out in nature and has qualifications in animal tracking.
They love people and sharing knowledge and have worked as a tour guide all over the world.
They are excited to join Jericho beach Kayak this year.

Ladan started paddling in 2020. Her passion for paddling, adventuring in the untouched wilderness, Orcas, humpbacks … and appreciation for nature was tripled after visiting Telegraph Cove in 2022 and continues to enjoy exploring the breathtaking landscapes of British Columbia through sea Kayaking Tours every year.

Lyra’s love for kayaking started through the YMCA of Vancouver Island, where she did several summer kayak trips in and around the Gulf Islands, Clayoquot sound and the Broughton Archipelago. Born and raised on the island, she has a deep love for the west coast, from the peaks to the tide pools and everything in between.
Currently she is studying music education, with the end goal of teaching high school music and outdoor education.
Trained as a guide and an instructor, she is happiest when able to introduce others to the beautiful sport that is kayaking, and helping to form a deeper appreciation for nature.

Mika is in her 7th season with the team since joining with Ecomarine back in 2018. She is currently a Computer Science student at BCIT. Having grown up in Vancouver and spent summers on the Island loving the outdoors and spending tons of time on (and in) the water, her favourite place to hang out in the summer is at Jericho: paddling, beach combing, meeting new and returning students and teaching kayaking. Mika's favourite programs to teach at JBK are the super cool Try Surfskiing Clinics and the Complete Kayaking Series!
For the past couple years, Mika has also been progressing towards becoming an instructor trainer under the masterful guidance of EJ as her mentor. As of 2024, she is now officially an Instructor Trainer!
In her spare time, Mika is very passionate about playing ultimate frisbee with the VUL (Vancouver Ultimate League) as well as hiking, party shirts, spending time with family and friends and helping plan elaborate and funny themed parties.

Mike started paddling in the summer of 2016. Sea kayaking quickly became a major passion. Current Credentials: Paddle Canada Skills L-4, Paddle Canada Instructor L-2, Paddle Canada Rolling Instructor. You can find an ongoing series of kayaking videos on his YouTube channel: youtube.com/mmcholm1

Milo recently moved Vancouver to follow his passion for the great outdoors. Originally from London, Milo graduated from the University of Manchester in May 2025 with a degree in Economics.

During his time at university, Milo was rarely spotted indoors, unless it was for a lecture (and even then, it was a toss-up). You were more likely to find him on the tennis court, climbing the peaks on his road bike, or getting gloriously muddy on the trails.

Now, he's ready to dive into a new adventure, kayaking! Milo’s excited to bring his energy and enthusiasm to the water and to be kicking off this new chapter with the Jericho Beach Kayak team!

Philip has been messing about in small boats since he was a kid, and got into sea kayaking in the late 1980s, long before it was trendy. (He likes to imagine he helped make it trendy.)
Over the years, Philip has paddled on the Great Lakes, the eastern and western Canadian Arctic and through Norway’s beautiful Lofoten Islands. He’s also paddled most of the Inside Passage between Vancouver and Alaska on the installment plan, often on multi-week solo trips.
Philip runs westcoastpaddler.com, an online community for sea kayakers of all experience levels, especially those from BC, Washington, Oregon and Alaska. He also blogs about kayaking, kayak sailing and kayak mods at philiptorrens.com. You can follow him on Instagram, where he’s kayakwriter.

Originally from Southern Alberta, Raquel moved out to Vancouver to study Outdoor Recreation Management at Capilano University, which provided her with numerous opportunities to try new activities and develop her current skills. Sea Kayaking was one such opportunity that unlocked a whole new world for Raquel, and now she can’t wait to work her first season with JBK to continue to develop her skills and spend time on the water.

When not working, Raquel enjoys a leisurely meander through the forest, camping, discovering new art and music, and reading. She loves to continuously learn about the world and nature around her, and you can often find her reading all of the interpretive signs on trails.

Kayaking:
- Grounds me
- Connects me to nature and beautiful places
- Helps me unwind

I can relax while being physically active
AND I absolutely love to infect my students with the “KAYAKING BUG"

Growing up in Vancouver, Tomo experiencd many of the water-based activities and sports that the city and region has to offer. After spending a decade in landlocked Alberta, upon returning to Vancouver, he reconnected with the city and the waters around it, and connected with the paddlesport community through kayaking. It is a serendipitous connection that has taken him beyond his comfort zone through many kayaking trips and adventures. Tomo returns his appreciation of kayaking to the community through kayak guiding and instruction.

Tony first fell in love with the outdoors in her early childhood in Bulgaria where she spent her summers by the Black Sea and the Balkan Mountains. If you ask her “mountains or sea?”, the answer is always “both” (which is one of the reasons BC feels like home to her). She first started to paddle on the Grand River in Paris, Ontario (her beloved home province). For her, the outdoors are a place to challenge herself and a gateway to self-discovery and self-knowledge. Recognizing that sports can be inaccessible, inclusion and equity are her north stars - she’s deeply committed to making the outdoors accessible and inviting to others. She’s excited to share her love for paddling and welcome others to the sport.

Warren discovered his love for kayaking when he and his family went on a guided 2 day trip in Johnstone Strait in 2020. Seeing humpback and orca whales, sea lions and intertidal marine life from a kayak hooked him.
Since then he has paddled in Desolation Sound, the Broken Group Islands and Howe Sound. A graduate of UBC Geology, he has been known to spend a bit too much time checking out rocks exposed along shorelines.
Recently retired from teaching high school Science, Warren is excited to be working with the Jericho Beach team to learn and to share his passion for paddling in the natural beauty of BC.

Yi started surfskiing in the summer of 2019 in Fujian, China. Sea kayaking became his passion after he moved back to Vancouver in 2020.
He might be busy training with his dragon boat team when you can’t find him at JBK.

Zack is a Forestry student at the University of British Columbia who has a strong passion for the outdoors and a deep appreciation for nature.
His studies focus on forest ecosystems, conservation practices, and sustainable land and resource management.
Whether he's in the classroom or out in the field, Zack is committed to building a career that helps maintain healthy ecosystems for the future generations.
He is super excited to work as a kayaking instructor this summer to spread his passion for the environment.