It was a comment by Angela Giraurd, who was nominating a company for Best Accessible Paddling Experience, that perfectly captured why we launched the inaugural Paddle BC Awards in the first place.
“This company is what community paddling is all about. It’s about shared experiences, shared laughter, and shared joy. They seek to give more than they take. They build skills by progressively challenging the paddler, while at the same time encouraging shared interest with a playful attitude. Truly, their ambition is to share a love of the outdoors, make the experience accessible, while creating community.”
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That sums up exactly what the Paddle BC Awards are all about: celebrating the people, businesses, and organizations who go above and beyond to share their passion for paddling, bring people together, break down barriers, and inspire others to get out on the water. Their contributions don’t always make headlines, but they have a lasting impact on the people they reach and the communities they help build. We wanted to recognize those efforts and give the people behind them the appreciation they deserve, which is why we launched the Paddle BC Awards in June 2026.
And the response was fantastic. We received 108 nominations from across British Columbia in five categories:
- Accessible Paddling Experience, sponsored by Comox Valley Kayaks & Canoes
- Local Paddling Hero, sponsored by Endless Adventure Rafting & Kayaking
- Youth Paddling Ambassador, sponsored by Pelican Snout Design
- Indigenous-led Paddling Experience, sponsored by Delta Kayaks
- Green Paddling Outfitter, sponsored by Elements Adventure Company
Choosing the winners wasn’t easy. That responsibility fell to seven judges representing a cross-section of tourism, recreation, and paddling communities in BC and across Canada:
- Louise Pedersen, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
- Michelle McShane, Paddle Canada
- Bert Abbott, Spinal Cord Injury BC
- Amber Papou, Tourism Industry Association of BC
- Jessie Penner, Indigenous Tourism BC
- Simon Ward-Able, Thompson Rivers University
- Nathan Slater, BC Marine Trails
After reviewing the nominations and sharing their recommendations, the judges helped us select five winners. Here’s who they are and what impressed the judges most.
Indigenous-led Paddling Experience: Takaya Tours
There’s something special about exploring a waterway with people whose ancestors have travelled it for generations. That’s the experience offered by Takaya Tours, a Tsleil-Waututh Nation-owned and operated tourism company based in North Vancouver.
Since 1999, Takaya Tours has introduced visitors to the waterways of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm through guided canoe and kayak experiences that share Tsleil-Waututh culture, history and traditions. Their tours offer a unique opportunity to experience the landscape while learning about the people who have called it home since time immemorial.
Judge Louise Pedersen highlighted the company’s long history and cultural connections:
“Based on the nomination, Takaya Tours has been offering Indigenous-led paddling experiences in Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm since 1999, and uses paddling as a way to share Tsleil-Waututh culture, history, and connection to the land and water.”
Michelle McShane agreed:
“I like that they are a long-standing organization that brings together cultural knowledge and environmental stewardship, while exploring by paddle.”
Local Paddling Hero: Natasha Chan
Some people have a remarkable ability to bring others together. Natasha Chan is one of them. A passionate paddler and volunteer in the Vancouver area, Natasha has developed a welcoming community through regular free paddles, encouragement and a willingness to share her knowledge with anyone interested in getting on the water. Her nominations repeatedly highlighted her generosity, approachability and ability to help beginners feel comfortable, regardless of their experience.
Judge Michelle McShane was particularly impressed by the support Natasha received:
“I couldn’t ignore the overwhelming support for her!”
Judge Nathan Slater offered a similarly enthusiastic endorsement:
“So many people speak highly of her friendliness and openness.”
It’s people like Natasha who remind us that growing paddling doesn’t always require a business, an organization, or a big budget. Sometimes it starts with someone inviting others to join them on the water.
Green Paddling Outfitter: Trash Panda Ocean Brigade
For the volunteers behind the Trash Panda Ocean Brigade, a paddling trip often comes with an extra objective: leaving the water cleaner than they found it.
Based out of Pacifica Paddle Sports in Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island, the group combines a love of paddling with hands-on environmental stewardship, organizing cleanups that remove marine debris from shorelines and waterways. Their efforts also bring together volunteers and community partners who share a commitment to protecting BC’s marine environments.
Judge Louise Pedersen was impressed by their practical approach:
“Trash Panda Brigade’s nomination made a strong case for the way they combine paddling with hands-on stewardship, bringing people together to remove marine debris and care directly for the waterways they use.”
Judge Simon Ward-Able appreciated the simplicity of the concept:
“Great name, excellent mission.”
Accessible Paddling Experience: West Coast SUP Adventures
One of the best things about paddling is that there are so many ways to enjoy it. But getting started can still feel intimidating, especially for someone who has never tried it before. West Coast SUP Adventures is working to change that.
Through free community paddles, workshops, clinics and patient instruction, the company has built a reputation for helping people of different ages, abilities and experience levels feel welcome on the water. Their approach has clearly made an impression on participants and the judges alike.
Judge Jessie Penner noted:
“Their energy, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness really stood out.”
Meanwhile, Nathan Slater highlighted the company’s role in building community:
“The community engagement and paddling promotion is remarkable.”
West Coast SUP Adventures demonstrates how a paddling business can do more than introduce people to a sport. It can help them build confidence, develop friendships, and discover a lifelong activity.
Youth Paddling Ambassador: Devin Ryan
Ask someone who has been paddling for years how they got started and there’s a good chance they’ll mention a teacher, instructor or mentor who introduced them to the sport. For students at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, that person is Devin Ryan.
A Paddle Canada instructor and educator, Devin has helped develop an adventure sports program that introduces young people to whitewater kayaking, builds their skills, and encourages them to discover what’s possible on the water. What makes his award particularly meaningful is that one of his own students took the time to nominate him.
Judge Amber Papou was struck by that gesture:
“When a young person takes the time and makes the effort to nominate a teacher or mentor, there is usually a pretty compelling reason behind it.”
Judge Simon Ward-Able summed up Devin’s contributions succinctly:
“Clearly a passionate educator, instructor, and youth ambassador in the world of paddle sports.”
Thank You, BC’s Paddling Community!
The inaugural Paddle BC Awards have been a wonderful reminder of just how many people are doing remarkable things in the province’s paddling community.
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination, shared the awards with their networks, volunteered as a judge or helped make this first year a success.
And to all the nominees, whether you took home an award or not, thank you for the work you do to make paddling in British Columbia safer, more welcoming, more sustainable and more fun.
Will the Paddle BC Awards return in 2027? Absolutely!
We’re already looking forward to celebrating another group of outstanding paddlers, businesses and organizations next year. In the meantime, keep exploring, keep introducing others to paddling and keep looking after the waterways that make BC such a special place to paddle.
Learn more about the awards at paddlebc.ca/paddle-bc-awards/.
