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.
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 Manager & Paddle Canada Kayak Instructor
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.
Clayton Calwell
Shore Staff
Fitness and being outside by the water is a big part of Clay’s daily routine. Stand up paddleboarding is one of his favourite summer activities as he finds it very enjoyable and relaxing to be on the water.
Clay has extensive experience as a fitness camp counseler and as a kid’s soccer coach. He lives in the Beaches in Toronto and is also a student at George Brown College studying home renovation and carpentry.
Dan Baranov
Shore Staff & Paddle Canada SUP and Kayak Instructor
Dan has over 6 years of experience working as a sea kayaking instructor and guide in several European countries. He has extensive experience in watersports and a sincere desire to help others learn and improve their recreational paddling skills.
When Dan moved to Canada, he joined Paddle Canada’s National Sea Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Programs. Sailing is also one of his passions. When he is not on the water, Dan enjoys many other sports that get him out into nature including rock-climbing, skiing and hiking.
Dan also has a master’s degree in electrical engineering and is a member of Toronto’s stand-up comedy clubs. In his spare time, Dan hones his skills as a drummer and content-maker.
Ivan Banawa
Shore Staff
Ivan has loved nature since he was very young and being outdoors inspires him to live life to the fullest. Ivan spends his leisure time on the water as a calming way to relieve stress and have a lot of fun.
While recreational paddling is Ivan’s passion, he also has great enthusiasm for meeting people and a strong background in providing customer-service.
As a member of Toronto SUP & Kayak’s team, Ivan combines his passion for recreational paddling, experience in customer-service and enthusiasm for welcoming people to create fun and memorable customer experiences.
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.
Konstantin Korneev
Shore Staff
Konstantin is an avid lover of the outdoors and recreational watersports. Being on the water brings Konstantin a sense of peace and joy that is hard to describe. You’ll often find him out on the lake, loving every moment of it. Konstantin is passionate about sharing his enthusiasm for the great outdoors with others and his wish for this summer is to help customers have amazing adventures and unforgettable on-water experiences.
As a language enthusiast, Konstantin is always excited to meet people from diverse backgrounds and learn about new languages and cultures.
Konstantin is also a professional in the event management and customer service/implementation industries.
Morgan Longley
Shore Staff
Morgan was born and raised in the Toronto Beaches and loves spending summers on the lakefront biking along the paths or paddling on the lake. She is passionate about outdoor activities and sports, and has over 7 years experience instructing sports such as rugby, martial arts, and bike riding.
As a Communications and Digital Media student at Wilfrid Laurier University, Morgan stays active during the school year playing varsity rugby for Laurier and also plays for Balmy Beach Club.
Rachel Palmer
Shore Staff
Rachel lives in Toronto, is an artist, loves animals and enjoys being outdoors and on the water. She currently works at an international high school, and as well, at a camp where she helps kids to thrive physically, socially and emotionally by encouraging positive self esteem, physical activity, leadership skills and teamwork.
As part of the Toronto SUP & Kayak team, Rachel is looking forward to helping customers have wonderful recreational paddling experiences in Toronto's picturesque Outer Harbour.
Sarah Caster
Shore Staff
Sarah spent most of her summers at camp, first attending as a camper and then later working as a camp counselor. Camp is where her love of the recreational water sports began, allowing her to learn and experience kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and sailing.
When not on the water, Sarah volunteers with her local softball league.
Sarah is currently entering her third year at Queen’s University in Media Studies.
Spencer Caron
Shore Staff
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.