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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 another dynamite year starting with a strong sho...
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 -


JOEL KOWALSKI GALLERY
Big air on buseater by Joel Kowalski

If you think his kunfu is pretty good you should see this guy paddle

Best friends, Keener graduates and now Keener Instructors, Joel and Nick all smiles after the Green Race in North Carolina

Joel Kowalski :: Instructor
Joel just finished another dynamite year starting with a strong showing starting with the Level 6 Cup, the awesome Grand Prix and World Freestyle Championships in Germany. Joel is a long time Team Canada Member.
Age: 22
Years Paddling: 9

When & Where did you have your first whitewater experience?
When I was very small with my dad but in a kayak with OKS in 2002 on the Ottawa River

What is your most memorable whitewater experience and why?
I have so many it is hard to pick just one. I have paddled in Australia, Mexico, Switzerland, Uganada, China, Costa Rica and all over the US and Canada. Just recently I had the opportunity to paddle in Sumatra and Java followed by a week in Chiapas, Mexico with good friends Rafa Ortiz and Pancho.
What other hobbies and interests do you have?
Film production, skateboarding, snowboarding, guitar

What’s your favorite music?
Rock and Hip Hop

Sponsors?
Jackson Kayak
Level Six
H2O Performance Paddles
Astral Buoyancy
Ottawa Kayak School

Competitive inclinations and results?
5th in Senior Men’s 2009 World Freestyle Championships
1st 2009 Level 6 Cup
1st Lachine Rodeo 2006
1st Team Trials 2004
1st North American Championships 2005
1st Canada Cup 2005
2007 ICFIC Judge for World Championships
5th 2009 World Championships

Video Moments?
Stakeout
Here and Now
The B.east
Jackson Kayak Promo 2007
Doubleyouessz

Why visit the Ottawa river?
Big, warm, deep, a place to learn whether you are a beginner through expert paddler, there is something on the Ottawa River for everyone.

Contact info:

Name: John Joel Kowalski
Home Town: Beachburg, Ontario
Email: ottawa_kayaker@hotmail.com

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