MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Learn a bit about our Kite Family. Dedicated to being the best we can be, here’s a bit about how we got here.

Charlie Tindall

General Operations Manager & Instructor

I grew up in a watersports obsessed household and I was introduced to surfing and windsurfing from a very early age. Later in life I started travelling and I discovered kiteboarding in 2012. I started my instructor certification qualifications later and I haven’t looked back! It has taken me around the world and opened the door to so many amazing opportunities and to meet many amazing people. I’m certified Level 3 Kiteboarding Instructor, an ASI Level 1 Surf Instructor and the lead sales manager.

Glen Baker

Lead Instructor

After high school, my passion for sports lead me to a degree in Movement Science Kinesiology, where I focused on sports instruction for athletes with mental and physical disabilities. I spent 8 seasons teaching Adaptive Skiing, Snowboard & Sit Skiing lessons in Whistler. I have taught Kiteboarding abroad for many years until discovering that, “There’s no place like home.” I now spend my summer seasons teaching full time in the best location of all, Squamish! I am certified instructor level 3 / Assistant Instructor Trainer, since my introduction to kiteboarding in 2006. I am also a CADS Level 3 Adaptive Ski Coach and have my BHK in Movement Science.

Mel Grains

Lead Administrator

Having studied in education and growing up in Winnipeg, kiteboarding became a new avenue for me to expand my physical skills and experiences. Moving to Squamish provided me the opportunity to dedicate my life to water sports and everything Kiteboarding has to offer. With 7 years of kiteboarding I have been able to apply my education experience to teaching kiteboarding on the beautiful waters of Squamish. I look forward to the opportunities water sports will provide for our kite family.

Lisa Koenig

Admin Staff & Instructor

After studying in education and working as a teacher in Germany I fell in love with kitesurfing when I started travelling five years ago. Wanting to share my passion, I became an Instructor and I have been teaching in New Zealand and the Cook Islands for the past two years. Coming from a teaching background enables me to pass on my kiteboarding knowledge and expertise on a professional level. I have 3 years of kiteboarding experience, 2 years of kiteboarding instruction and am a Team rider for Ozone New Zealand.

Zack Herman

Instructor

I was first introduced to kitesports at 15 from my father in Cherry Beach Toronto. I then learned how to snowkite in Winnipeg where I quickly developed as a rider. When I was 20 I moved to Squamish and had the opportunity to become a kiteboarding instructor with Dan and I helped the school grow from humble beginnings to the largest school in Canada. I love to share my passion for kiteboarding with my students and I hope to see you out on the water! I have been riding for 7 years, currently working on unhooked tricks and teaching students of all levels and abilities for 5 years.

Matis Pelletier

Instructor

kiteboarding in Aruba when I was a kid and it quickly became my lifestyle. I love traveling and riding in new spots and I am always stoked to share my passion with others. I am certified Instructor level 2, I have 4 years of teaching experience and 11 years of riding experience.

Antoine Verville

Instructor

Being a certified instructor for the past five years and a Kiteboarding National Rider for 3 years, I am a charismatic instructor that always brings humour, passion and fun in my day to day life. My passions include filming, kiteboarding and traveling. I also enjoy cinematography as much as kiteboarding and produced over fifty sports videos within my carrier. Kite spots visited: Brazil, Panama, Cuba, Venezuela, USA, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Colombia.

Next destinations in mind:

Cape town, Greece, Australia

Jen Wormald

Instructor & Lead Administrator

I started kiteboarding in 2012 in the Dominican Republic. Since then I have taught in many different places including South Africa, Thailand, Australia and of course our beautiful home, Squamish. I love the freedom kitesurfing brings me to travel around the world and the amazing community of people that comes with it. If I don’t go travelling, I spend my winters teaching skiing and snowboarding in Whistler.

Youri Gauthier

Instructor

Hey, my name is Youri and I’m from Montreal. The past two years, I have been to multiple places around the world to teach kiteboarding. I’m super happy to be back in Squamish this season because it’s here that I first learned this incredible sport, a couple of years ago. I think kiteboarding is amazing and that everyone should try it, I know they will get hooked right away, just like I was.

Élie-Anne Arseneau

Admin Staff & Instructor

I’m Elie and I’m from Quebec. I’ve learned to kiteboard back home on the Magdalen Islands and I fell in love with the sport. I’ve been travelling around the world ever since to teach it. I love sharing the passion and I’m super excited to be here for my first season with Squamish Watersports!

Daniel Grains

Owner & Founder

Hi! Im Dan. I’m the founder and owner of Squamish Watersports Ltd. After a lot of hard work I can finally say I have achieved my dream of owning a successful watersports centre, in one of the most beautiful spots in the world. I love to share my passion for kiteboarding and the outdoors with others and if you see me out on the spit, please come and say hello. I’m certified Level 2 Senior Kiteboarding Instructor, proud business Owner and father.

Reviews

Mike Murdoch
This is an awesome kite school! Dan and Melanie have put together a great team. Last summer I had 8 lessons with several instructors, Dan, Will, Jared and Charlie. All were awesome and I enjoyed learning from the different instructors. I think the value here is unmatched considering you have a RIB inflatable following you with an instructor tweaking your every move, makes for fast, safe progression and confidence to push yourself and not having to waste time staying upwind after wipe outs. The hot tubs nice and the chilled friendly vibe is great. Here is the long winded version: I'm a bit of tropical guy and wasn't too excited about putting on a wetsuit thinking I'd just wait and learn it the tropics on holiday (dumb idea). I had a couple trips to Asia getting a day or two a week waiting for wind for the same price with a less experienced instructor yelling at me from the beach which I couldn't hear very well, so I spent the majority of the lesson time launching myself off the board down wind, still had a blast but wow inefficient progression (at least where I went, I know there are lots of great schools but a bit hit and miss). I decided it was time to make a proper effort and got myself to Squamish and am now independent, so will really enjoy myself when I next go to the tropics. But more importantly, I learnt Squamish winds are fantastic, wet suit keeps you toasty. Fantastic school and great scenery from the water. Can't wait for spring to get back and keep improving. Thanks so much for a great fun learning experience. - 1/03/2022
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Bryan Hall
I took my first lessons here with an intro from Dan and a private lesson from Charlie. Both great instructors. Fast forward a few years and 300+ sessions on the water for myself... I was kiting at one of our sketchier spots in the gorge where almost no one else kites and it was late int the year with strong winds. I had a double line failure in the middle of the Columbia. Who just happened to be there that day? Dan, Charlie, and a whole crew of instructors from Aerial. It would have been a long swim and self rescue back, but this crew stepped in fast. One instructor plucked my kite out of the river while a second comically towed me back to shore as we rode "tandem" both on our boards while I held on to his harness. Not only was the rescue safe and efficient, it was kinda fun! Great crew and can't recommend them enough for lessons. - 1/03/2022
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Alex Chan
My two sons and I were planing to be in Vancouver for a couple of weeks and wanted to try kiteboarding in Squamish. We contacted Aerial prior to our trip and they were super helpful. They arranged for upwind drop offs, advanced lessons and ordered new kite bladders that I needed. I cannot say enough about how great the staff were. Very personal and attentive. Dan, the owner, was particularly fantastic. His knowledge in kiting is outstanding and he taught us things we have never learned anywhere else. We have travelled to many places around the world and have had many instructors between the three of us. Dan is the best! My boys have nicked named him "Magic Dan". Thanks for the fun times. Will be back. - 1/03/2022
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Dan Davie
I an awesome time with Aerial Kitesurfing! I had done some kiting a long time ago and was looking to get back into it and the team were really helpful. They gave me lots of different lesson options and were more than happy to answer my many questions. We had Dan as our instructor and he was awesome. I went with a friend of mine who was a beginner and we learned all the skill and theory we needed to but did so on the water which was way more proactive than the way I was taught in the past! Highly recommend grabbing a lesson with these guys. - 1/03/2022
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Arno Knapitsch
I am a beginner, who didn’t kite the last three years, so I had to refresh a few things and gain some confidence again. I’ve booked a three hour private lesson, and went out today with Alex and Alina. I felt very well taken care of, the instructions were always clear and I felt always safe. It was a really great day in a stunning location and I even managed to learn how to kite toeside for a little bit. I would definitely go again with them if I come here next time. And the hot tub after the session was a very welcome treat. - 7/01/2023
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Matt Kasteel
Aerial kiteboarding is amazing! My wife and I did lessons with them a few years ago, and it was incredible! The lessons are done from a boat, so you get A TON more time to ride compared to lessons at a beach where you lose a lot of time walking back up wind. Since doing the lessons, I've purchased gear from Aerial and had them repair my kite, and the service is amazing every time. Thanks to Dan for getting my kite fixed in one day so I could get back out and ride again right away! - 9/08/2022
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Deepti Alex
Dan is the owner goes above and beyond for his customers. He went out of his way to drop me off one day at the spit, because he felt bad for me. Well in return he gets a customer for life. Bought kiteboarding gloves, will buy a board soon, maybe take some advanced lessons later. When you meet someone and you get an early impression that they are honest and hardworking, it makes you want to throw money behind them to see them succeed! - 6/04/2023
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	Any changes made to a scheduled reservation must be completed at least 48 hours prior to your lesson or your lesson may be voided.
	All lessons bought directly through Aerial Kiteboarding School are fully refundable within 60 days of purchase.
	A processing fee will apply to any refunds requested more than 60 days after the purchase date.
	See more on our FAQ page.

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Charlie Tindall

Glen Baker

Mel Grains

Lisa Koenig

Zack Herman

Matis Pelletier

Antoine Verville

Jen Wormald

Youri Gauthier

Élie-Anne Arseneau

Daniel Grains

Like what you see? Let’s get started and book a lesson now!

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