Who We Are

Ridge Wilderness Adventures offers Canoe Adventures, Canoe Lessons and First Aid Training.

Founder and CEO, David Wooldridge, is recognized by the canoe industry as a master instructor and lead developer of canoeing programs for Canada. Ridge Wilderness Adventures is the leading provider for canoeing in BC. We specialize in Lake, River, Tripping and Big Canoeing, which makes us uniquely suited to assist you in getting outside.

Our Adventures and Lessons are available all over southern BC. We also offer special training all over Canada. We utilize Voyageur, Tandem and Solo canoes to make sure we offer what you are looking for.

As a company Ridge Wilderness Adventures continually supports groups who are working for our environment. Wild Salmon and protection of our Waterways are areas we feel strongly about and we choose to donate funds and resources to organizations that work to protect our environment and waterways.

We hope this site and our services help you Explore, Experience and Enjoy our beautiful outdoors!

Kayla Hoogenraad

Bio coming soon. Take 2.

Jackie Hamm

Jackie Hamm, Operations Manager, First Aid Instructor and Guide. She is responsible for the daily operations of Ridge as well as instructing programs and paddling. Jackie has attended Columbia Bible College where she has received her diploma in Outdoor Leadership which has given her experience in multiple outdoor activities. This program has also equipped her with certificates in the outdoor industry and extended professional development. In the past year, she has expanded her love for the outdoors and brings this into her instruction in Wilderness First Aid, and also upgrading multiple canoe certificates. In her free time, Jackie loves to stay busy either by getting outside on water or land and broadening her horizons by learning new skills. Jackie’s driven by helping people get outside and feel confident in the wilderness, either by teaching them how to paddling or gaining new skills in first aid.

Jamie Tempel

Jamie Tempel, Customer Relations, assistant to all. She started her journey with Ridge Wilderness in 2021 to align her professional life with her passion for adventure and the outdoors. Jamie was born and raised in the West Chilcotin community of Nimpo Lake, BC where nature was ingrained into her foundation and roots. Growing up in the tourism industry and always having customer service at the forefront of her endeavors, she prides herself on every client interaction being one of value, intention and connection. In her spare time she will be found with her family, hiking any mountain she possibly can, wandering through the woods aimlessly or by an open fire cooking up new tasty creations. As a self proclaimed nature geek, Jamie believes in inspiring others, especially youth, to form their connection with the outdoors and is grateful to be a part of a team that allows her the platform to do so! “Going to the mountains, is going home” – John Muir

Courtland Kerr

Guide on the Side? Teaching Troubadour? Director of Eastern Operations? Who is Courtland Kerr? Courtland is a part-time guide and Wilderness First Aid instructor and has worked with Ridge Wilderness Adventures since 2016. Originally from Maple Ridge, Courtland started his outdoor career with Ridge Wilderness. He attended the University of the Fraser Valley and leverages his history and anthropology knowledge to deliver unique historical and cultural experiences when sharing the outdoors with people. Courtland is a recent graduate of Cape Breton University, where he completed a Bachelor of Education which allows him to further leverage his learning to create effective learning spaces during courses. Nowadays, you can find Courtland paddling on the beautiful waters of Muskoka in Ontario, where he works as an history and outdoor education teacher and helps share the Ridge Wilderness experience in Ontario. He loves all outdoor activities, from canoeing all the way to rock climbing, and he is an avid rugby player. Courtland is a lifelong learner and enjoys challenging himself; he has taught himself how to make canoe paddles and crochet. His current endeavor is learning to speak Gaelic, which he picked up while living in the Maritimes. Courtland believes the outdoors is a magical place of wonder and amazement that can transform us and shape our worldview, and this is what inspires him to take others outside.

Frank Grosspietsch

Frank Grosspietsch, Instructor Remote & Wilderness First Aid and sometimes School Canoe Guide.

Walker Tottman

Walker (like the noun or the verb) is a first aid instructor here with Ridge, who grew up on Salt Spring Island, and now calls Victoria home. In what’s a case of nominative determinism (oh yeah) Walker’s favorite thing to do is move around outside – ambulate! He loves everyday plogging (look it up!) from point a to b foremost, second to hiking and endurance long-distance jogging. He’s also got a soft spot (and deep appreciation) for cold water exposure – let’s everyone go jump in an ocean, 365 days a year! Walker’s a graduate student in the University of Victoria, researching into some of the social, psychological, and institutional aspects of environmentalism. In his personal time, Walker volunteers with a local Search and Rescue team, and does a little bit of archaeology research here and there. In the future, Walker sees himself busy with research, writing, and time spent exploring (wherever this may be!). He’s passionate about learning (within himself and others), and helping to give back to the world that’s given him so much. That and chickpeas – Walker loves legumes (good for the body, good for the planet. Seriously!). Walker’s excited to see you in a course or a trip, where we can learn together, building our skills and knowledge on how to help others! Thanks for reading, and all the very best to you – Walker (N/V)