About KayakingSkills

KayakingSkills is a local family owned and operated business based on Saturna Island, one of BC's most beautiful and least visited Southern Gulf Islands. Ruth Daber and Fred Shadian have been living full-time on Saturna since 2013, and the island and its waters have shaped everything about who they are as kayaking guides and instructors.

How It All Started

After arriving on Saturna Island, Fred and Ruth fell in love with paddling its waters and wanted to share that experience with friends and visitors to the island. They became Paddle Canada certified instructors in 2015 and KayakingSkills was born.

Fred Shadian

Fred is a Paddle Canada Basic, Level 1, and Level 2 Instructor. He is the kind of instructor who reads conditions instinctively and stays calm when things get challenging, qualities that come naturally from his background as a martial arts trainer since 1989, where teaching under pressure is part of the discipline. Fred loves teaching. He finds genuine satisfaction in watching someone go from beginner to confident paddler, and brings the same dedication to every course and tour he leads.

Ruth Daber

Ruth loves introducing guests to the waters around Saturna Island. On tours she brings a natural enthusiasm for sharing local stories, pointing out wildlife, and guiding guests to locations that stop people in their tracks. Every paddle is different — sometimes it is a calm and serene experience, gliding through glassy water with eagles overhead; other times it is more of a wild ride, feeling the elements and the wind in your face. That variety is part of what makes sea kayaking on Saturna so special.

As an instructor, Ruth is patient and attentive. She believes everyone progresses at their own pace and creates an environment where students feel comfortable pushing into new skills without pressure. Whether working through on-water techniques or practising rescues, she pays close attention to each person and finds quiet satisfaction in watching confidence grow over the course of a day on the water.

Our Approach

We keep our groups small. We believe the best learning happens when an instructor can give real attention to every person on the water. Whether you are joining us for a guided tour or a Paddle Canada certified course, you will never feel like a number.

We are based one minute from the Lyall Harbour ferry terminal. Step off the boat and you are in our world. Launch to discover the sandstone cliffs, the seals on the rocks, the eagles overhead, and the open water of the Salish Sea stretching out in front of you.

We cannot imagine a better classroom.