When Norm called me back in the spring of 2022 to see if I would help guide a trip in the Broughton Archipelago that summer, I didn’t take too long to ponder the decision. It’s not that I hadn’t been there before. As a sea kayak guide, I’d shepherded clients up and down, back and
When it comes to knowing how to pack for a SUP trip—no matter how many days you’re heading out for—Norm Hann and Bruce Kirkby are the go-to pros to learn how to prep and pack for any standup paddling trip. They met in 2012 and have been heading out for adventures and expeditions together, and with groups, ever
At the end of August Bruce Kirkby and I had set our sites on paddling around the Brooks Peninsula on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Brooks Peninsula, also known as Mquq?in and part of the Quatsino and Kyuquot/Cheklesaht First Nations Territory is considered a unique geologic feature. As a result, the geology of the
I first heard the call of this 8,000-year-old Grease Trail in 1999 while reading The Great Bear Rainforest by Ian and Karen MacAllister in my dingy Vancouver basement apartment. Earlier that year I turned 29, quit my job as a high school teacher in Ontario and drove out west to complete my Adventure Tourism Diploma
HAZARD TO MARINERS Ever since I moved to the coast from my home in Northern Ontario twenty years ago and first laid eyes on a chart of the west coast of Vancouver Island, I have looked at the jutting headland and fabled, treacherous waters of Cape Scott and wondered what it would be like
I was excited to be a part of a live Facebook discussion with Reta Boychuk of Badfish SUP and Kim Kenyon of Born to Board. We sat down for an hour to chat about multi day paddling trips, gear, physical and mental training and more. Reach out with any other questions you may have on
Paddler Magazine asked Bruce Kirkby to write a 600 word piece for a column they have called Still, using one image from our North Coast Great Trail Trip, and the story behind it. The image they chose was of me paddling towards this incredible river valley that branches off the Ecstall River. Our trip took
I am excited to be heading back down to Belize again for our 6th year running paddleboarding trips with Island Expeditions. Last year was our first year paddling out at Glovers Atoll. This trip is a little bit different than our Coral Islands Trip. The highlights for me are: Paddling on an atoll, one of
Remote Wilderness Paddling Adventure on Vancouver Island This past summer a friend of mine, Neil Callaghan, reached out about an incredible new lodge he had started working at as the activity co-ordinator. Neil and I go back a long way in the sup world as he sold me my first paddleboard from his Second Wave
This winter will be my fifth season running standup paddleboarding trips in Belize with Island Expeditions and it has been an incredible paddling and cultural experience. I feel fortunate that my life’s passion and purpose has provided me the opportunity to show clients from around the world this immersive tropical experience. My goal is to
We want to thank Explore Magazine for featuring our SOAR Ocean Camp in this month’s issue as part of their article, “The Pursuit of Outdoor Knowledge.” The article highlighted 18 outfitters who are well-prepared to guide you through an exciting outdoor educational experience. From the article, “Norm Hann is probably Canada’s most experienced stand-up paddler.
Norm Hann Expeditions is really excited to have Canadian based WestJet Airlines feature our Coral Islands Belize SUP Trip on the cover of November’s West Jet Magazine. Enjoy the article here. The Coral Islands SUP is an exclusively designed trip between Norm Hann Expeditions and Island Expeditions a leading adventure travel company that has been
My trip up north originated with a phone call from Benji Straker, co owner with Ivan Gloeden, of Old Town Paddle Co in Yellowknife, NWT. Benji proposed “hey, how about a two night, three day sup exploration and fishing trip in the remote East Arm of Great Slave Lake?” "I'm in!," was all I said.
Last year Norm Hann Expeditions had the opportunity to run the first ever sup expedition in Belize with Island Expeditions. Writer Steven Threndyle was on that trip and his recent article just appeared in this weekends Globe and Mail. If your interested in coming to paddle with us in Belize this year check out our
We are excited for the return of our Coral Islands Belize SUP trip with Island Expeditions. Our first date is sold out but we have space on our February 6-12th, trip. See our expedition page for details. Coral Island Belize SUP
Recently I had the opportunity to present and instruct with Ocean River Sports in Victoria, B.C. Our first evening included a multi media slide show presentation on my coastal sup trips, stories from the Great Bear Rainforest and conservation expeditions. More recently I have been doing a lot of school presentations as part of our
From Boardworks Boardworks proudly offers the Great Bear. In collaboration with Canadian team ambassador, Norm Hann, this SUP is designed to be the ultimate tour and expedition board. Features: * Evolved from the Raven platform, the Great Bear is thinner throughout the hull and wider in the tail for extra stability * The nose shape
Join Norm Hann Expeditions and Sea to Sky Air for this incredible alpine lake standup paddleboard experience. Our trip leaves from the Squamish airport where our inflatable paddleboards will be loaded up for a stunning and scenic 20 minute flight through the Tantalus Range on our way to remote and beautiful Phantom Lake. Once there
SUP THE MAG Cold climates breed hardy folks. The weather dictates how they live their lives. But there are always those special souls who venture out regardless of the conditions. Norm Hann is among the hardy. And he faces winter’s worst with a paddle in is hands. “I take pride in being a Canadian paddler”
The Belize SUP expedition was born over a year ago when I was invited by Island Expeditions owner Tim Boys to come down to Belize to take part in their week long training program and to introduce standup paddle boarding to the company. It was my first time in Belize and I was impressed by
This year I am excited to partner with industry leaders Island Expeditions for the first lodge to lodge paddleboard (sup) trip to the southern barrier reef in Belize. This is a fun week of sup, snorkelling and warm water island exploration. We will travel from island to island where will we will stay in quaint
Last Sunday I was fortunate to be part of a team of standup paddleboarders that crossed the Strait of Georgia from Nanaimo to Vancouver. The crossing, spearheaded by Harry Saini was a fundraiser for Ruben’s Shoes. Ruben’s Shoes Ruben’s Shoes is a non-profit organization that gets much-needed footwear to kids in the Dominican Republic. Ruben
I am excited to join eight other standup paddle boarders this Sunday June 29th for a crossing of the Strait of Georgia from Nanaimo2Vancouver in support of Ruben’s Shoes. Weather permitting we will be leaving at first light Sunday morning and we are anticipating a 10-12 hr crossing as we make our way to Vancouver
Jen and I were both excited to bring our son Kiel up to the Great Bear Rainforest to show him where his name came from and to immerse him into the culture that would guide him throughout his life. We made the long road trip from Squamish to Prince Rupert where I picked up my
Recently I had the honour of presenting as part of the MEC FEAT evening of speakers. Thanks to Sean Verret, the organizer who invited me to share my story and sup expedition from Haida Gwaii. FEAT, Fascinating Expedition & Adventure Talks, is an annual evening of time-limited presentations. Each presenter speaks for seven minutes; no
