James Roberts

Parry Sound, Ontario

James is the co-founder of Ontario Sea Kayak Centre and is our Senior Instructor Trainer and Lead Expedition Guide.

James Roberts started surf kayaking at age 18 off the coast of the Isle of Wight, England. After immigrating to Canada in 2003 he took his surf kayak skills and started sea kayaking. His love of guiding kayaking expeditions and teaching paddling skills has taken him all over Canada from the Great Lakes to both the East and West coasts and up to Nunavik, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. As a lead sea kayak guide and Expedition Leader James has worked in Antarctica, The Canadian and Norwegian Arctic, Iceland, Greenland, USA, England, and Mexico. James’ specialty is getting people to roll proficiently, cooking in a wilderness environment, Photography and making sea kayaks dance in the surf. James is also a commercial boat captain and drives boats in Antarctica and on Georgian Bay.

Achievements

  • In 2014 James traveled to Greenland to compete in the Greenland national Qajaq championships and won gold for Canada.
  • Filming during his Greenland experience he then wrote and directed “Greenland Bound – A Paddlers Pilgrimage” a documentary about the competition in Greenland. The documentary won the “ Best Accomplished documentary” in the National Paddling Film Festival, “ Best Sea Kayaking Film” in the Reel Paddling Film Festival and “ Best Educational” in the Waterwalker Film Festival.
  • OSKC won “Best kayaking school in eastern Canada” Voted by readers of Sea Kayaker magazine.
  • James has achieved the highest level in the Paddle Canada sea kayaking program, and can now teach every level.
  • Attending Algonquin College he graduated with honours as an Adventure Naturalist.

Contributions to the Outdoor industry

  • Algonquin College adventure naturalist advisory committee member.
  • Current Board member for the Regional Tourism Organization for Muskoka, North Bay and Parry Sound
  • Four years on the board of directors for Paddle Canada as the Ontario representative and on the Marketing Committee.
  • Co-founder/organizer of Canada’s largest annual Sea Kayaking symposium, Paddlepalooza.
  • Greenland National kayak championships competitor and gold medalist.
  • Filmmaker – Winner of three paddling film festivals.

Certifications

  • Paddle Canada Level-3 Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer
  • Paddle Canada Level-2 Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer
  • Paddle Canada Level-1 Sea Kayak Instructor Trainer
  • Paddle Canada Rolling Instructor Trainer
  • Paddle Canada Level-4 Sea Kayak Instructor
  • Paddle Canada Rolling Instructor
  • Paddle Canada Level-4 Sea Kayak Skills
  • Paddle Canada Wilderness Camping Instructor Trainer
  • Paddle Canada Camping Leadership Instructor
  • Paddle Canada SUP Advanced Flatwater Instructor
  • Wilderness First Aid Responder
  • Adventure Naturalist Diploma with honours
  • SKGABC certified sea kayak guide
  • AESKCO certified sea kayak guide
  • STCW-10 (Standards for the training and certification of watch-keepers.)
  • SVOP (Small vessel operator proficiency and MED A3)
  • PAL - Possession and Acquisitions Licence (Firearms)
  • Parks Canada Certified backcountry guide
  • PTGA - Certified Polar Guide