Aquabatics

Simon recently, (beginning of 2009) purchased Aquabatics Calgary with his wife Nikki, after 4 years of running the kayak school. Prior to this he spent 6 years following summers, kayaking and raft guiding all over the world, including leading several successful first descent expeditions to Bolivia and Kenya.

Originally from New Zealand, Blair is now the lead kayak instructor for Aquabatics Calgary. After leaving the NZ army a few years ago, Blair headed to Canada in search of whitewater kayaking and backcountry skiing adventures. In the last couple of years, Blair has managed to amass 150+ days a year in his kayak and 50+ days skiing in the British Columbia Backcountry. One of the most passionate kayakers you will find, and his enthusiasm on courses is infectious. It's no surprise many of his students carry on with the paddling lifestyle.

Mitch started with Aquabatics as a 14 year old in our Junior Development Kayak Team. Since then he has been around Aquabatics every summer, working, paddling and paddling some more. Mitch is equally at home teaching an Intro to Kayaking course as he is talking about bow flair and rocker on canoes or discussing paddle materials. At the ripe old age of 19 shows a maturity far beyond his years both on and off the water.

Peter has been a part of the Aquabatics team for 3 years now (coming into his 4th), in that time Peter has learnt more about paddling gear then most could ever hope to know. His paddling has also come along in leaps and bounds, and you are more than likely to see him running the Elbow before work.(probably with the rest of our staff) This year Pete will be the go to guy at the store. He is curenttly a student of the Eco Tourism program at Mt Royal University

Nikki is, without a doubt, the brains of the organisation. She is also a busy Mum (to our daughter Talia), avid rock climber and an aspiring white water paddler. You'll find Nikki at most of the paddling festivals telling everyone that the Diesel is the best boat ever, and maybe looking a little nervous at the put in. Bottom line, if your time with or at Aquabatics runs smoothly (which it usually does), Nikki is the mastermind behind organising our team that make it that way.