The American Canoe Association is proud to recognize John MacDonald as our Instructor of the Month for May 2025! A dedicated paddler, instructor, and leader, John’s passion for sharing the joy and accessibility of paddling is evident in every course he leads.
Sharing Knowledge, Fostering Community
John is a River Kayak Instructor Trainer and a Universal Paddling Instructor Trainer Educator whose teaching spans the United States and beyond. From his home base in Salt Lake City, Utah, to his earlier years in Ohio, and even internationally in Hong Kong and Sweden, John brings a wealth of experience to every paddling program he leads.
“I really enjoy teaching instructor trainer courses and sharing my knowledge and experience with others and learning from them at the same time,” John shares. “The opportunity to combine flatwater and river paddling and rescue skills with adaptive paddling is really fun for me and allows courses to be adaptable (pun intended) to meet the needs of all students and organizations I have the privilege to serve.”
A Journey that Began with Community
John’s introduction to paddling started early, with church group trips and Boy Scouts, where he fell in love with multi-day adventures on the water. But it was a 2004 Adaptive Paddling Workshop at The University of Akron—where he was developing an outdoor adventure program—that truly hooked him. “I had great mentors that encouraged me to become an instructor, then trainer, then educator,” John recalls. “It was more than teaching paddling—it was about getting involved in committees, boards, councils, and learning how to build the support that I was given.”
Empowering Students, Embracing Lifelong Learning
When asked about his most memorable teaching moments, John struggles to pick just one. “The best moments are those when I see a student ‘get it’—whether they’re working with the water instead of against it, solving a rescue challenge, or getting back on the water for the first time since an injury,” he says. These moments of connection and growth are what drive him forward.
John’s commitment to continuous learning is also personal. Last summer, he and his wife, who is also an ACA instructor, took a three-day raft course with Canyon River Instruction. “It was great to be in the student role and expand my paddling knowledge into a new discipline,” he reflects.
Leadership & Vision
In addition to teaching, John plays a key role in advancing paddling opportunities within the ACA and beyond. He has served on the Universal Paddling Committee for many years, including as past chair. Currently, he serves as the ACA Utah State Director and as a liaison between the Regional Activity Council (RAC) and the Safety Education & Instruction Council (SEIC).
“I enjoy supporting the ACA in these roles and bringing ideas we hear and learn from participants to the ACA. It’s a great way to pay the experience forward,” he says.
John is particularly excited about the ACA’s evolving resources, including Smart Start for Safe Paddling as a gateway to paddling, and the Leader Pathway program, which focuses on paddling leadership rather than specific craft. “There’s never been a ‘we’re good’ moment with the ACA,” John notes. “It’s always evolving, always improving.”
For a closer look at John’s paddling adventures and instructional work, follow him on social media or find an upcoming course on his website:
- Instagram: @playharderadventures
- Facebook: Play Harder Adventures
- Website: www.playharderadventures.com
Congratulations, John, and thank you for your dedication to making paddling more accessible and inclusive for all!