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About WCC

West Coast Canyoning Adventures was built by people who love wilderness — and who hold themselves to the highest standard of care for the people they bring into it. Not just as a guiding company, but as stewards of the places we work in and the sport we're helping to build.

 

Our Story

François-Xavier "FX" Gagnon grew up paddling and fishing Quebec's Laurentian rivers with his grandfather. By 17, he was running his first outdoor guiding business. By his twenties, he had moved west and made the Sea-to-Sky his home — building a career as a professional outdoor guide across hiking, skiing, biking, whitewater, and canyoning in BC and around the world.

In 2019, he joined Lions Bay Search and Rescue, where he serves as a Team Leader and Safety Officer in swiftwater, high-angle, and mountain rescue. It was through that work that the canyons of BC came into sharp focus — how extraordinary they are, and how few formal standards governed how people were guided through them. He set out to change that.

WCCA became the first CGI-accredited canyoning operator on Canada's West Coast. FX is now a CGI Trainer and Examiner and a founding member of the Canadian Canyoning Association — helping build the professional standards that govern the sport across the country.

What began as one guide's mission has grown into a team. WCCA is now entering a new season — more guides, more canyons, and the same standard of care that started it.

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Meet our Founder “FX”

Meet the Team

Every guide on our team is independently certified through Canyon Guides International, with additional training in wilderness first response, swiftwater rescue, and rope rescue — six are active Search and Rescue members. They debrief every descent, recertify regularly, and travel to train internationally. They're here because they love these canyons and sharing them with the people they guide.

Francois-Xavier "FX" Gagnon

Francois-Xavier "FX" Gagnon

ProGuide CGI Lvl 3/Level 3 Instructor
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Felipe Avila Valdivia

Felipe Avila Valdivia

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Tim Lee

Tim Lee

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Phil Middleton

Phil Middleton

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Erickson Deseron

Erickson Deseron

Assistant Guide CGI Lvl 1
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Hugo Voyer

Hugo Voyer

Pro Guide CGI lvl 3
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Alastair "Al" Colis

Alastair "Al" Colis

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Colton Lee

Colton Lee

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Thomas Hay

Thomas Hay

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Luke Carpenter

Luke Carpenter

Assistant Guide CGI Lvl 1
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Rodger Williams

Rodger Williams

Pro Guide CGI lvl 3/ACA lvl3
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Georgia Temple

Georgia Temple

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Steve Ingold

Steve Ingold

Lead Guide CGI lvl 2
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Paul Colpitts

Paul Colpitts

Assistant Guide CGI lvl 1
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Eric Girardin

Eric Girardin

Assistant Guide in Training
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Accreditation & Commitments

West Coast Canyoning holds accreditations from Canyon Guides International, the Canadian Canyoning Association, the Outdoor Council of Canada, and Leave No Trace Canada — independently assessed against international standards for guide training, operations, and safety.

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Our Partners

We proudly collaborate with gear suppliers, certifying bodies, and fellow companies who share our commitment to safety, sustainability, and the canyoning community.

Our friends in adventure

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Groups we’re proud to support

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The equipment we rely on

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