About WCC

West Coast Canyoning 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.

Meet our Founder “FX”

What Sets Us Apart?

Safety. Always.

Our guides are CGI-certified, also trained in Wilderness First Response, swift-water, and rope rescue — six of whom are active Search and Rescue members. Safety drives every decision — from how we brief you to the pace we set to every call made throughout the descent.

Real Adventure

We lead you through a genuine wilderness experience — raw, physical, and beautiful. You'll be challenged, learn real skills, and walk away with a deeper connection to nature and a true sense of accomplishment.

Personal Attention

Whether you're finding your feet or pushing your limits, our small guide ratios mean you're coached and encouraged to take each step in your own time.

Leading The Way

The first CGI-accredited canyoning operator and certified training centre on Canada's West Coast — and a founding member of the Canadian Canyoning Association, accredited by the Outdoor Council of Canada and Leave No Trace Canada.

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

ProGuide CGI lvl 3 / Lvl 3 Instructor