Originally from Ontario, where she paddled the iconic lakes and rivers of the great Canadian shield, Tina moved west in 2001 and has been a club member for the past 18+ years. She usually paddles one of her two Bell solo canoes, most of the time with her trusty sidekick Bosco, and she also owns and paddles a tandem Mad River Explorer with hubby or whoever will jump in with her.

In addition to paddling many of the canoe club trips multiple times, Tina ventured on a Nahanni River trip (2016), Wind River in the Yukon (2018), and Keele River (2022) and Costa Rica rivers in 2024! She also loves organizing women-only canoe trips.

Her full-time job is Leader of Volunteer Engagement for Parks Canada in Banff National Park and she lives in Canmore. Tina looks forward to serving the club on the board, paddling with new and old friends in the Bow Valley and beyond, and honing her canoe tripping skills as well as sharing experiences with others.

Bio...

Rick is a born Calgarian who has lived in several parts of Canada but he has settled down in the city of his birth. He enjoys paddling solo and tandem canoes in flat and not-so-flat water where he has become adept at ‘going inverted’ using his 180 degree roll. He also builds and repairs canoes, particularly the wood and canvas kind. He has retired from a career in health services and is somewhat retired from business consulting although he continues to instruct for the Continuing Education Department at the University of Calgary. His paddling exploits include extended multiday trips, but he can also be found hanging around the city and enjoying day trips with great friends and paddling partners from the Club.

I grew up in Nova Scotia and had very little experience on moving water. My first river canoe trip was in Northern Ontario during university. I swam twice on that trip. When I moved to Calgary, I joined the Calgary Ski Club and through some of their members, was introduced to Bow Waters. I took my first lesson before a trip on the Milk and was glad as it helped me when I got hung up on a rock and I knew what to do! I’ve been a member since 2006 and have enjoyed the many BWCC benefits including solo lessons, instruction at Harvie Passage, wilderness first aid and white-water safety courses. The club discounts are fun too. I also love to hike, x-country ski and practice yoga. I’m looking forward to contributing to the club as a member of the board.

Michael Kary is a Safety Professional hailing from the prairies of Alberta. His journey has been shaped by a passion for adventure, a commitment to safety, and a love for the great outdoors. Born and raised amidst the landscapes of Alberta, he developed a deep connection with nature from an early age. With over 15 years as a search and rescue volunteer, he has honed his skills in navigating challenging environments to assist those in need. Paddling is a particular love of his, but he is a true jack of all trades, delving into a variety of outdoor pursuits with a spirit of curiosity and enthusiasm. At home, he is a proud father to two adventurous boys who share his love for exploration and have a keen knack for finding adventures in everyday life. He is also engaged to an amazing and equally adventurous lady. Their family is a tight-knit unit that finds joy in discovering new horizons together. If he is not immersed in safety protocols or exploring the outdoors, you'll find him juggling a myriad of hobbies, most often related to creating things. A self-proclaimed master of procrastination, he somehow manages to find time for his various interests, driven by an insatiable curiosity for life's many facets.

I am a native Calgarian and am happy to have finally joined the club. Despite knowing about the club for many years it took me a while to join. My paddling journey started in 2021 when a group of friends and I rented canoes and kayaks to paddle part of the Red Deer River. It was my first experience with paddling and camping. This trip led to a couple of weeks paddling and camping around Murtle Lake in summer 2022. I bought my kayak in late 2022 and started to explore the waters around Calgary during the summer of 2023. I joined the club in 2024 and enjoyed meeting the other members and participating in a number of the club trips. I like the diversity of trips offered by the leaders and the great camaraderie amongst the members. My hope is that the club continues for many more years and by joining the board I can help promote the club and encourage others to join as well.

I have had the pleasure of being a member of Bow Waters for the past 19 years. Initially drawn by the promise of safety and camaraderie in paddling moving waters, I soon discovered a vibrant community of like-minded friends and passionate paddlers. Over the years, I’ve embarked on countless memorable trips, received invaluable mentoring, honed my skills through dedicated training – all while forging lasting connections with fellow adventurers.

I find joy in a diverse range of excursions, from gently guiding novices on tranquil ponds to embarking on scenic day trips, multi-day expeditions, and challenging whitewater runs.

As a member of the board my primary goal is to serve the club by contributing my experience as a retired IT professional to enhance our club’s online presence. I envision a new, dynamic website that engages and informs potential and existing members using modern, user-friendly design principles. I aim to ensure the club benefits from an attractive, informative, and easily maintained online platform.