My exposure to boating started at age 3 on Lake of the Woods with my family.

My father worked closely with the regulatory staff and race marshals for the Louisa Sail Boat Regatta in the Kenora area.

With my fathers instruction, I was operating power boats under his direct supervision by the age of 5. I naturally progressed into an instructor’s position with the Winnipeg chapter of the Power and Sail Squadron teaching safe boating practices as well as navigation techniques on the water.

In high school I was introduced to 30+ day wilderness survival canoe trips, often more than 500 miles in length. By graduation, I was a team leader on these rigorous outings, leading new students into the wilderness by canoe.

My 20’s and 30’s brought continued boating and waterskiing activity, with 2 separate boats with regular outings on the Red River and Falcon Lake.