Instructors
Brenna Kelly

Brenna Kelly
Instructor
Brenna is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure...
Cameron Savage

Cameron Savage
Instructor
Cameron is a graduate of the keener program and now an instructor f...
Dave Crerar

Dave Crerar
Instructor and Keener Coach
Better known as "Irish Dave" to all OKS students and inst...
Devyn Scott

Devyn Scott
Instructor
Devyn Scott is a member of team Canada and is the 2008 north Americ...
Eric "EJ" Jackson

Eric "EJ" Jackson
Technical Director
This is the man who wrote the book on kayak instruction, literally.
Jarrett Shallhorn

Jarrett Shallhorn
Instructor
Jarrett has been calling the Ottawa River home during the summers f...
Joel Kowalski

Joel Kowalski
Instructor
Joel just finished a dynamite year starting with 1st Place in the L...
Josh Mills

Josh Mills
Instructor
Currently 3rd for the Canadian Freestyle Kayak team.
Keegan Grady

Keegan Grady
Instructor
Keegan’s smooth methodical paddling style translates into his...
Kyle Hull

Kyle Hull
Instructor
Graduate of the Keener program, Kyle Hull is known by most on the r...
Matt McGuire

Matt McGuire
Director of Ottawa Kayak School
Teaching with OKS for 12 years Matt better known as Sharky on the R...
Nick Troutman

Nick Troutman
Instructor and Keener Coach
Current World Champion and graduate and instructor of the keener pr...
Nicole Dubé

Nicole Dubé
Instructor
Nicole is an avid kayaker coming out of the Keener program
Rafael Ortiz

Rafael Ortiz
Instructor and Keener Coach
Rafa has been a strong influence in the Mexican Paddling community....
Ruth Gordon

Ruth Gordon
Instructor
Ruth is Canada’s number one female paddler and after the 2007...
Ryan Whetung

Ryan Whetung
Director and Coach
Ryan has been paddling all over the world both for competition and ...
Stephen Wright

Stephen Wright
Keener Head Coach
Stephen is guiding the development of the next generation of freest...
Tino Specht

Tino Specht
Instructor and Keener Coach
Kayaker, Instructor and teacher for New River Academy as well as Ot...
About Ottawa Kayak School
Contact
Contact -


RAFAEL ORTIZ GALLERY
Tight moves for Rafael Ortiz

Rafael Ortiz going big in his home country of Mexico

Rafael Ortiz :: Instructor and Keener Coach
Rafa has been a strong influence in the Mexican Paddling community. He was also the first Mexican to compete at the World Championships. Visit OKS and let Rafa bring your paddling skills to the next nacho!
Age: 21
Years Paddling: 7

When & Where did you have your first whitewater experience?
Filobobos River when I was 7 or 8, my father took me rafting.

What is your most memorable whitewater experience and why?
Water and rock is the same no matter what river you are on. Even with those same base elements you get so many different rivers. It is hard to choose one as more special than others. Maybe surfing accidentally the biggest hole I’ve ever seen in the Siang River in India.

What other hobbies and interests do you have?
Skate boarding, writing, enjoying good times with friends.

What’s your favorite music?
Anything that gets my blood pumping

Sponsors?
Jackson Kayak
Red Bull Mexico
Oakley
NRS Gear
Nike
Astral Bouyancy Lightning Paddles
Competitive inclinations and esults?
Lots of great memories from too many different rodeos to count
Video Moments?
Hotel Charley
Hotel Charley vol II
Here & Now
The Source
Toxic Waters
Wet’n Wild
Jackson Kayak Promo 2007

Why visit the Ottawa river?
It’s the play boater’s paradise, any level. Simply put the ideal place to learn to paddle...on steroids!

Contact info:

Name: Rafael Ortiz Heatley
Home Town: Mexico City, Mexico
Email: rafa@jacksonkayak.com Website: info@rafaortiz.com

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