Bearfoot Outside

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Comox, BC
Bearfoot Outside

Private SUP instruction and coaching to prepare you for adventures in open water touring, river SUP,

What We Do - Bearfoot Outside offers personal instruction, coaching and on-water experience to help dedicated Stand Up Paddlers (that’s you!) develop the skills and knowledge to take their paddling to the next level! Why We Do It - because we love Stand Up Paddling and we want you to maximize your enjoyment, fun, and safety out on the water, expand your paddling horizons and reach your paddling po

tential! Run by Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer Neil Gilson, Bearfoot Performance Paddling focuses on Core SUP Skills development, River SUP, SUP Touring and SUP Instructor Training opportunities!

02/27/2026

The Discovery Lodge trip is a must do experience for the aspiring SuP explorer! So much to see and do and learn - and super relaxing to boot!!

Don’t miss it !! See deets below!!

Experience a few days in the rhythm of island life on our 5-Day Quadra Island SUP Expedition — exploring the tidal channels and rich ecosystems of Surge Narrows Marine Park, one of National Geographic’s Top 50 Places in Canada.

From sunrise coffees on the lodge deck to guided paddles through sheltered waters, wildlife encounters, chef-prepared meals, and evenings by the fire, this lodge-based adventure blends comfort and coastal exploration in a truly special place.

Only a few spots remain for 2026.

Join us on Quadra Island and experience the quiet beauty of the Discovery Islands by paddleboard.

Reserve your spot or learn more at the link in bio.

02/20/2026

Big Big Update!!

I’ll be working with Ken Larsen this late June to put on a ONE-TIME only , Paddle Canada combined River SUP Instructor and Instructor Trainer certification course!

If you have aspirations to lead and teach people on the river, or to use your experience and skills to help train other instructors and leaders on the river then this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Having worked with many of you in the past I’m hoping that we can put together a great crew for this very special course.

Check out the details below and reach out to Ken or me if you have any questions!!

See you there!
Neil

I am stoked to be hosting a Paddle Canada certified Instructor and Instructor Trainer rollout event this June with Neil Gilson of SUP Bearfoot!

The focus of this rollout is to increase the number of qualified river SUP instructors and instructor trainers in Western Canada, to safely and effectively meet the growing demands for river paddling.

Over the 4-day event, participants will have the ability to work towards the following certifications: River 1 SUP Instructor, River 2 SUP Instructor, River 1 SUP Instructor Trainer and/or River 2 SUP Instructor Trainer.

In a rollout event, regular Paddle Canada prerequisites MAY be waived, provided EQUIVALENT teaching and paddling experience and knowledge can be demonstrated. All participants MUST have these prerequisite teaching and paddling skills PRIOR to the event, and a list of prerequisites can be seen on my website under “upcoming”. Any event or registration inquiries can be sent to [email protected] or send me a message here!

The event will take place from June 27th through June 30th, 2026 in Chilliwack, BC. Cost for the event is $450

01/01/2026

Happy New Year to you all! May you get to the sea, have lots of adventures, and great tales to tell about the upcoming year!!

See ya out there!!

12/30/2025

Looking back over another year of stand up paddle and ocean adventure. Just a few highlights from our home waters here in Comox, to Discovery Islands, Vargas island on the west coast, the Broughton Archipelago, and up to Bella Bella. Even snuck in a shot here of snorkeling in the Blue Hole in Belize - a bucket list adventure since I was a young lad!

And once again it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work closely with Norm, Tina, Heather and Chris - all integral parts of the team.

For those of you who were with me this summer, I hope the shots bring back awesome great memories. And for the rest of you - I hope it’s great inspiration to join us in 2026 or to get out there in your own adventures.

09/17/2025

Glassy waters made for an awesome paddle and great views!

09/16/2025

Good to be back cruising around the home waters!

08/19/2025

Cool morning light on the Salish Sea…

08/18/2025

How’s that for clear Vancouver Island waters? 😎 Had a great little solo cruise with a swim break through Buttle Lake Narrows last week! Lots of summer left - get out and paddle!!

Featured ride - my 14x28 Sunova Expedition.

07/22/2025

Well - I wrapped another spring guiding season with up on the Central Coast near Bella Bella again just a week ago now. The weather challenged us but we took the windows we were given and had some amazing exploration time both on and off the water.

As I wrap another season I want to give many thanks and gratitude to our amazing clients - the crews who keep coming out and coming back to share the coast with us. Many thanks and gratitude to Norm who keeps putting his trust and faith in me to guide along with him out there. And many thanks to our crew -
- each one of you keeps me going at different times and I appreciate you guys a lot!

And finally thanks to my ever patient and supportive wife and friend, for taking care of all the stuff while I’m gone following the dream out along the coast. Thank you so much.

On that note, much Aloha to you all. I’m still around this summer and fall if anyone wants some skills coaching or day touring, navigation or other experience on our local waters.

Paddle on everyone!

07/01/2025

I hope it is a great Canada day for everyone! For me it’s not just a stat holiday. It’s time to reflect, in gratitude for everything that we are fortunate enough share with each other across this greatest of lands - from north to south, east to west and coast to coast to coast.

I have been fortunate enough to have spent a good part of my life taking people into the wild places of Canada. And part of that has been gradually learning more and more about the First Nations who have inhabited these lands and waters for so long.

So this flag resonates with me as having had the privilege of guiding people through these traditional lands and waters for so long. As does the message of “coming together” from the designer - the late Curtis Wilson.

Thanks to
for posting this following information on this version of the Canadian Flag.

This Canadian flag called ‘ Standing Together in Support of Each Other’ was designed by the late Curtis Wilson (Mulidzas) from the Wei Wai K*m First Nation in Campbell River.

From the artist:

The two designs on the red side bands are K’utala-Salmon, which are the perfect way to convey the importance of family, friendships, and strength in numbers.

There are as many types of people living here in Canada as there are types of salmon … I would like to see us coming together in the future, not only my First Nations people, but all of Canada.

06/25/2025

We wrapped up another spectacular trip to the Broughton Archipelago yesterday! We were blessed with a great crew, lots of laughs, whales, sea otters, winds that challenged our comfort zone, and spectacular coastlines on the outer edge. Not to mention a couple ethereal sunsets.

The Broughton’s are a trip of a lifetime and I have been blessed with many many memories there over many many trips over many many years.

It’s a bucket list place. Get on the list for next years trips now!!

06/14/2025

Just wrapped up another 5 day Vargas Island Touring course guiding alongside 😎. Fortune was with us as we avoided all the big NW winds forecast for the week!

Lots of learning, planning, decision making intertwined with great paddling, fun ocean swells, amazing vistas, relaxing beach time and awesome sunsets!

Next up we take a great crew into the Broughton Archipelago! You too could be going on these stand up paddle adventures! Get the skills and training you need to join us! Check it all out at

Address

Comox, BC

Telephone

+15875805539

Website

http://www.supbearfoot.ca/

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