MEET OUR TEAM

Niv Froehlich – Co-Owner

Operations Manager, Director of Paddle Canada Stand Up Paddleboard & Kayak Programs

Niv has over thirty years of experience teaching water sports in Ontario. Over those three decades, Niv has taught thousands of people how to sail, windsurf, stand up paddleboard and kayak. He has guided on-water tours, led large on-water group events, co-developed and led adventure tours and is an Instructor Trainer Apprentice with Paddle Canada’s National Program.

Niv has a passion for volunteerism and was a member of Paddle Canada’s Adaptive Paddling Program Committee. He currently trains and certifies volunteer members of the Toronto Police Service in support of their ProAction Cops and Kids youth outreach program and is currently working towards making the sport of recreational paddling in Toronto adaptive and inclusive for all people.

During the winter, Niv is an active member of the Canadian Ski Patrol.

Jana Ruby – Co-Owner

Jana is an accredited teacher with almost two decades of experience as an Outdoor Education Specialist taking elementary school classes on hikes in natural and urban landscapes to develop a love of nature, an understanding of stewardship and a sense of place in Toronto. In this role, Jana also fosters community through teambuilding and leadership experiences.

Jana is also a Paddle Canada certified Advanced Flatwater SUP Instructor and a Yoga Alliance Certified Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT).

Aatir Ahmad

Rentals Operations & Hiring Manager

Aatir is a sports enthusiast with over half a decade working in the sports and recreation industry. After being introduced to paddleboarding, Aatir sought out job opportunities in recreational paddling and worked for Toronto SUP & Kayak in our inaugural year. He is currently working towards accreditation with Paddle Canada as a Stand Up Paddleboarding and Sea Kayaking Instructor.

Aatir plans to make a career out of his love of sports. He is currently completing a Bachelors of Sport Management Brock University and looks forward to attend Law School in order to represent professional athletes.

Bardi Besharat

Corporate & Group Events Coordinator

Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Bardi grew up around the water and has been paddleboarding for over 10 years. In 2017, Bardi moved to Toronto to pursue an education in Ecology at the University of Toronto where he graduated with an Honours Bachelor’s of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology in the spring of 2022.

Bardi is also an avid scuba diver who has explored the waters along the Pacific Coast, Yucatan Peninsula and has conducted marine survey studies in Madagascar.

Jordan-na Belle-Isle

Paddle Canada SUP Instructor

Jordan-na is a Montreal-born, Toronto-based SUP expert in all things related to stand up paddleboarding (SUP). She is an instructor, writer, and community builder who SUPs and surfs the Great Lakes year-round. A recognizable face in the local scene since 2012, she obtained her first instructor certification in 2017, and has collaborated with organizations and brands such as ROXY, Surf the Greats, Patagonia, Toronto Island SUP, A Greener Future, and Explore Magazine. Her image has been used in a national campaign for Tourism Canada and she has been interviewed by several media outlets such as PBS, Breakfast Television, and the Toronto Star.

Jordan-na is a proud team member of Taiga Board and a co-organizer for Lake Surfistas.

Spencer Caron

Digital & Social Media Manager

Spencer’s passion for the outdoors is matched only by his love for the water. His 10+ years of experience kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding, (including Level 3 ORCA certification) provide him with the knowledge and skill-set to help people of all levels get out on the water and enjoy watersports. Spencer also brings social media, writing/editing and technology experience to the team from his many years of leadership roles in academic settings.

He is currently studying Business at George Brown College. When not in school, he enjoys music, cooking, and spending time outdoors. "My favourite paddling experience was definitely a 2 week canoe trip in Killarney Provincial Park. Unplugging and getting out on the water is one of the best ways to de-stress."

Vivian Chong

Immersive SUP Yoga Instructor

Despite the challenges of being blind, Vivian Chong is an avid Kayaker and Paddleboarder.

She is also Toronto’s first accessible yoga teacher for people with vision impairment.

Her yoga concept is to create a completely immersive experience for all the senses by challenging students to practice with their eyes closed. Through this approach, she hopes participants learn to listen to and tune into their bodies from within.

Working with Toronto SUP and Kayak, Vivian has adapted her unique classes to the water on a paddle board.

Vivian is also a motivational speaker and published author. Her amazing story of living life to the fullest is illustrated in her graphic novel Dancing After TEN.