We would like to respectfully acknowledge that the land on which we gather is in traditional, unceded Sto:lo Nation territory. Western Canoe Kayak is celebrating more than 40 years in business. Western first started out as an importer of canoe paddles, distributing them into the Vancouver market. In the late 70s, the Company started a manufacturing facility in Abbotsford to begin building Clipper Canoes. The owners, Marlin and Mary Bayes, gave up their teaching careers and went into business full time. In 1989, a new facility and retail store were built along the freeway in a prime location, and it has since grown to be the largest paddle sports store in Western North America. Since then, other lines of products like kayaks, stand-up boards, sailboats and rafts have been added. Their son, Ryan, eventually joined them in the family business. The staff has grown to include sales people who specialize in stand-up-paddling, whitewater kayaking, canoeing, touring and sailing. Western has gained a reputation as the place to go for kayaks and canoes for sale, and if you have questions you need answered. OUR MISSION STATEMENT Here at Western Canoe Kayak, we pride ourselves with having the largest and most diverse selection of canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle-boards and accessories, with easy access through our on-line store. Our staff don’t just talk about paddling, they live for it! Whether you’re just getting into paddling or have been paddling your whole life, our staff have the expertise to answer any questions you may have. Our main mission is to help you find the best gear at the most reasonable price, and we like to make your buying experience fun as well as knowledgeable. Good service and sharing of knowledge are our most important products, and they’re free! MEET OUR STAFF Ryan Sales Ryan grew up canoeing remote northern rivers on family expeditions. His love for outdoors and adventure landed him with an obsession for whitewater kayaking. Within 2 years of starting whitewater kayaking Ryan progressed to class 5 kayaking, multi day expeditions and pioneering new runs around South West BC. In recent years’ kayak fishing, paddle boarding and even rafting have crept into his quiver of paddling disciplines. Let it ride! Favorite Gear: Sweet Protection Intergalactic Drysuit and Wanderer Helmet. Also, Danishes! Marlin Founder Coming Soon! Favorite Gear: Coming Soon! Mary Founder Mary and her husband, Marlin, started Western Canoeing in 1975. She has done many long expedition trips like canoeing the Broken Islands and Smith Inlet, to Northern floatplane fly-in trips to paddle rivers like the Nahanni, Blackwater, Thelon, and Clark, and kayaking trips in Mexico in the Sea of Cortez. After graduating from Western Washington State University in 1970 with a teaching certificate, she taught all levels, from Elementary grade 1 to six years of teaching high school at Mission Senior Secondary. She also has done many canoe races like the Bellingham Ski to Sea Race which she holds six first place trophies dating back to the 70’s and early 80’s. At the age of 50 she obtained her pilot’s license at the Abbotsford Flight Center, so now she could not only cruise on Harrison Lake in her Clipper canoe, but also fly over it in a Cessna. Favorite Gear: Clipper Tripper, Delta Kayaks, Grey Owl Paddles, NRS and Salus PDS’s, Blackwater Dry Bags Laura Sales Laura has been with Western Canoeing and Kayaking since 2006.  Laura came to us as a graduate of an Adventure Tourism program; once a newbie, now an experienced paddler in all forms.  Regardless of whether it's canoeing, paddle boarding, sea kayaking, whitewater, kayak fishing and all things Hobie she is the go to about it all. Laura has a reputation for being the first person to stand up paddleboard around the 116km Bowron Lakes circuit in 2010 as well as catching giant White Sturgeon on the Fraser River in her kayak.   Laura now has 2 young children keeping her busy so she gets out paddling when she can to spend time with her family.   More paddling is in Laura's future training the next generation of young paddlers.  Since starting out Laura has moved from working in our warehouse to sales to purchasing.  Laura is an asset to our company and is continually trying to keep our floors stocked with all the newest and greatest paddling equipment available. Favorite Gear: Our 2001 Clipper Tripper - Fit's the whole family Sam Sales Sam started at Western Canoe & Kayak in the spring of 2016. He grew up in Upstate New York, hiking, paddling, and rock climbing in the Adirondack Park. He has lead numerous multi-day canoe, kayak, and backpacking trips in New York, Wyoming, Alaska, and BC. When is comes to the outdoors he is a true jack of all trades, master of none. He is always up for trying something new. Favorite Gear: Call him lazy, but if Sam can pedal and/or sail it, he is in! The Hobie Tandem Island or Lynx are his personal favorites. If he is paddling, he better have a Blackwater carbon paddle in my hands. Margaret Sales CMargaret joined the WCK team in 2014. She competed in the ’92, ’96, ’00 and ’04 Olympics in the Whitewater Slalom event. She has won multiple world cup medals and has 9 National titles. When she is not chasing her 2 boys around, she can be found hiking, skiing or paddling her carbon surf ski. Favorite Gear: Anything Carbon! Werner Cyprus kayak paddle, Werner Grand Prix SUP paddle, Zaveral Power Surge Pro Canoe paddle (perfect for the Ski to Sea race). And don’t forget the Kokatat Paclite Gore-tex Pullover. Lynne Sales Lynne started working with Western Canoeing in 1977, just before Kayaking was added to the name. Working part time while she completed her degree – she has turned her love of canoeing into a full-time career. Canoe tripping, a little racing, whitewater paddling, sea kayaking – it’s all on the water and she enjoys it all. Favorite Gear: If I’ve got a Kevlar CLIPPER Tripper, Zaveral B/S paddle and Salus Eddy PFD, I’m good to go. Sarah Sales Sarah started at WCK in March of 2022 after a few years of teaching horse riding. She has always enjoyed the outdoors, mainly hiking, camping, paddling recreationally and travelling. She grew up riding horses, and when she’s not working you can probably find her with her own few. Sarah is excited to dabble in all types of paddling to keep learning as much as possible, there’s always something new to learn! Favorite Gear: My favourite boats are the Norse Duva, or for a laid back day Wilderness System's Tarpon 105. She also loves her Eddy flex with the Astral Brewesses for shoes, and of course the floating chum's glasses holder! Pascal Sales Pascal joined the Western Canoeing and Kayaking team at the start of 2020, right before a very interesting time for the outdoor industry! Having grown up on B.C.'s north coast, he's always been surrounded by water, whether that's the ocean, lakes, rivers, or perhaps most prevalent, the rain. As a certified sea kayak instructor and guide it should come as no surprise that his primary focus on the water is sea kayaking, but he's always game to try new things. Whether it's falling off a paddle board or spending some quality time upside down in a whitewater boat, it's all good fun! Explore Pascal's Gear Favorite Gear: Stellar S18 Expedition in the multi sport layup, with a Werner Cyprus to go with it! Madison Shipping Madison started at Western Canoe and Kayaking in May of 2022. She has enjoyed paddle boarding for several years now. Camping and outdoor activities has been something she has been interested in for most of her life, as she participated in lots of ca