Our Trip:
Canada by Canoe is more than an expedition—it’s a mission to inspire, explore, and make a difference. This record-breaking 8,000+ km journey across Canada is being undertaken to raise funds and awareness for True North Aid, a charity dedicated to empowering northern communities and addressing the challenges they face. Led by three passionate adventurers—Will, Georges, and Nolan—this journey combines a love of the outdoors with a commitment to creating a real, lasting impact. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, this 200+ day expedition will connect Canadians through a shared purpose: supporting communities in need.
Their most recent project: Canoe4Covid, which was very similar in nature, was wildly successful. Spanning 60 days and 2000+ km across Ontario, the project got national news coverage, MP recognition, and raised over $87,000 for Food Banks Canada. The self-produced Canoe4Covid documentary series was a hit as well, attaining over 20,000 views on YouTube and winning awards in various international film festivals. There is no doubt that Canada by Canoe will see similar success, and they hope that you will join them as a part of their mission!
From sea to shining sea, the route begins at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in Tadoussac, Québec, where the St. Lawrence River reaches full salinity. From Tadoussac, the group will drag through muskeg, portage over sand dunes, paddle through high winds, and much more before reaching the final goal in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. In doing this, Canada by Canoe seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible on a canoe trip, while supporting northern communities in need.
By The Numbers:
3 FRIENDS: Canada by Canoe’s team consists of 3 friends who have been canoe tripping alongside each other since 2019.
OVER 8,000 KM: The team will be paddling and portaging over 8,000 kilometres across Canada… That’s over twice the diameter of the moon, or one-fifth the circumference of the Earth!
200+ DAYS: Canada by Canoe will journey through the rugged Canadian wilderness for at least 200 days to raise money for northern communities and push the limits of canoe tripping.
EXPERIENCE: Together Canada by Canoe’s team have spent 798 days on trip.
Will Vyse
Will is the founder of Canada by Canoe, and has 338 days of canoe tripping experience. He holds the Algonquin Park ‘Brent Run’ wooden boat record alongside Nolan Aziz. The pair completed the famed 162 km in 22h59m. He was the route-planner and navigator on Canoe4Covid and will continue to fill both these roles on this cross-Canada voyage. Will is completing a BMath at TMU, and he has his Bronze Cross, Wilderness First Aid, and Red Cross Psych certifications.
Georges Kirijian
Georges has completed 264 days of canoe trip, 60 of which were on Canoe4Covid, a 60 day, 2000km canoe trip that raised over $85k in 2020. Outside of canoe trip Georges is an avid skier and has worked in the snow sports industry for the past three seasons. He is certified as a Wilderness First Responder, Tandem Canoe Instructor, Moving Water Canoe Instructor, Sea Kayak Instructor, Level 3 Swift Water Rescue Technician, and a Leave No Trace Master Educator.
Nolan Aziz
Nolan has completed 196 days of trip, including the 60-day Canoe4Covid trip, a 19-day trip on the Kesagami River and a 21-day trip on the Moisie River. Off-trip, Nolan earned his BSc in Environmental Science from Dalhousie University & competes regularly as a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Nolan is Bronze Cross certified, Wilderness First Aid certified, and Red Cross Psych certified.