Welcome to 2026! Instructor POV is starting off the new year with one of our own. Karl Vollmer: level 2 sea kayak instructor trainer, advanced river kayak instructor trainer, chair of the PCC (Program Coordination Committee), chair of the river kayak program development committee, database manager, and general paddling powerhouse.
An integral character of Paddle Canada, Karl wears many hats to support paddling programming across Canada. We borrowed a few minutes out of his busy day to gain some insight into his love of paddling, how powerful play can be in the classroom, and finding your voice as an instructor.
Paddle Canada: Hey Karl, thanks for taking the time to be a part of our Instructor Series. We’re excited to hear all about your experience as a Paddle Canada Instructor so let’s dive right in. Give us an intro about yourself – what do you do and where do you do it?
Karl Vollmer: Thanks, I’ve been in Nova Scotia for almost 20 years now. I have an IT desk job by day, but spend my weekends and evenings on the water, and in the water. I work for Ontario Sea Kayak Center, Cape Lahave Adventures and Cloud 9 Adventures as a sea kayak guide and instructor. My true love is river kayaking. I run https://whitewaterns.ca and https://whitewaternb.ca. I have spent the last 15+ years trying to aggregate and make available all of the river beta and water level information for free to the community as a way to remove barriers to whitewater paddling in the Atlantic provinces. I’ve also recently picked up River SUP’ing which is a new challenge.
PC: What was your first paddling experience and what inspired you to become an instructor?
KV: My first paddling experience in memory is going over a lower overhead dam in a canoe as a small kid with my father. That experience has inspired me to have a better understanding of water and how it works. It has also driven me to help other people understand so that they can be safe, and have an amazing, positive time on the water. Being on the water in a Canoe, or Kayak or on a Sup should be a safe, positive and fun experience. I work as an instructor and guide to help make that happen for people.
PC: How do you approach teaching brand new paddlers?
KV: Play. Recreational paddling to me is about being able to play, have fun, and experience the world, and places from a different perspective. I love being on the water, and having fun, so I try to enable that in the courses I teach. Creating a safe, inclusive but challenging environment where people can be themselves and find joy in a silly game, or accomplishing a challenging landing is very important to me.
PC: What’s one challenge you’ve had to overcome as an Instructor?
KV: Finding my own voice, and way of teaching. I’ve worked with a large number of Instructors and each one has their perspective, and process. Understanding that having my own, different process isn’t wrong. In fact students get the most out of instructors, when they are themselves. When you’re passionate and love what you’re doing and can show that this is all about having fun, that excitement and joy is transferred to your students.
PC: What would you say to someone considering becoming a Paddle Canada Instructor?
KV: I think the most important thing when deciding if you want to be a Paddle Canada Instructor, is to look at your motivation. If you want to meet people where they are, as who they are and build them up to where they want to go with their paddling, then recreational Paddle Instruction is for you. Being a Paddle Canada Instructor, is not about you as the instructor, how many certifications you hold or how good of a paddler you are – It’s about how you can make space for people to find joy and play in recreational paddling.
PC: The mic is yours! Any last words or parting thoughts?
KV: Paddle Canada to me is about enabling safe play, on and in the water. So get out there in whatever way makes you happy, peaks your curiosity or drives you to improve. If you find yourself getting excited enabling others to do the same, then a Paddle Canada Instructor course could be an amazing way for you to make that a bigger part of your life. I am thankful every day that I get to be on the water, and help others discover the joy of recreational paddling.