Zofia Smeja

Whitewater & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, Whitewater Paddling Instructor, Expedition Guide

Zofia is passionate about connecting people to the planet, and she guides to inspire reciprocal relationships with the river. Since 2012, she has shared her love for teaching on the water in rafts, kayaks, and canoes. She has worked in her first “river home” on the Madawaska all the way west to the Skeena watershed and the Tongass temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska.

Zofia’s education and interest in Psychology and Environmental Studies is woven into her grounded, compassionate style as well as her guiding experience with outdoor behavioural healthcare for youth, land-based education programs, and whitewater paddling and rescue instruction.

Zofia also works for Riparia, a charity that connects young women and science on the water, and Nature Connect, an urban outdoor school program that connects children with nature close to home. Zofia is a Water Rangers ambassador and loves to share this awesome citizen science initiative with students on the river—ask her about it!

Zofia’s certifications include:

• Whitewater Rescue Instructor
• Wilderness First Responder
• Paddle Canada River Kayak Instructor