Book Our Head Watersports Instructor
Elevate Your Time on the Water
Premium Watersports Lessons
With more than 20 years of coaching experience and a reputation as one of Canada's top watersports athletes, our Head Watersports Instructor, Taylor West, delivers high-level coaching across all skill levels. Based in Port Carling, he offers personalized instruction throughout Muskoka — from first-time skiers to advanced athletes perfecting their technique.
Meet Taylor
Taylor is a lifelong watersports athlete, coach, and performer. With more than two decades of experience, he has taught thousands of students across all disciplines, including waterskiing (traditional, slalom, and barefoot), wakeboarding, wakesurfing, ski jumping, flyboarding, and e-foiling.
As an elite athlete, Taylor has represented Canada in all seven editions of the World Show Ski Championships and currently ranks among the world's top freestyle ski jumpers, placing 5th overall in 2022 and 8th in 2025. In 2025, he also served as Show Director for Team Canada at the World Championships in Australia. He has played a leading role in some of Canada's most outstanding ski show achievements, including the country's first barefoot pyramid, the first four-man front flip, and the first four-tier pyramid.
You can watch Taylor perform every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in Bala as part of the Summer Water Sports (SWS) waterski show. He has also skied internationally in competitions, professional shows, and televised events — from the Canadian National Exhibition to a Doritos commercial broadcast worldwide. His career highlights include a flyboarding stunt with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki and a private performance for the President of Turkmenistan alongside Jennifer Lopez.
Beyond his accolades, Taylor is known for his patience, positivity, and deep technical knowledge — traits that make him one of the most respected instructors in the industry.
What He Offers
Taylor provides customized coaching for every skill level, from complete beginners to national team hopefuls. Available disciplines include:
- Waterskiing (beginner two-ski to advanced slalom)
- Wakeboarding
- Wakesurfing
- Barefooting
- Ski Jumping
- Flyboarding
- E-Foiling
- Dryland training, video analysis, and goal-based progression planning
He has coached students from age 2 to 88, including adaptive athletes with physical or developmental disabilities. Every session is customized to match the client's goals — whether it's having fun with the family or training seriously for performance.
Location & Equipment
Location: Based in Port Carling, Taylor offers lessons throughout Muskoka and the surrounding areas. Students can travel to him, or he can come right to your dock.
Boats & Gear: He can provide all necessary equipment, including a tournament ski boat or surf/wake boat. Clients are also welcome to use their own boat and gear.
Additional Services: Lessons in safe and effective boat driving are available for clients who want to improve their skills behind the wheel.
Why Choose Taylor?
- Unmatched Experience: Over 20 years of instruction across every major watersport discipline
- Elite Athlete Credentials: World-ranked freestyle jumper and veteran show skier
- Broad Appeal: Works with everyone from first-timers to high-level athletes
- Professional Instruction: Helps facilitate the national waterski instructor certification course each spring
- Serious Coaching or Pure Fun: Equally comfortable running structured progression plans or creating an unforgettable family experience
Client Testimonials
Over the course of six years, Taylor spent hours every week coaching my brothers and me — not just helping us become strong waterskiers, barefooters, and wakeboarders, but also instilling a genuine love for the sport. His deep knowledge and incredible patience make him a coach who can help anyone, at any level, build skill and confidence on the water. Without Taylor, I wouldn't have achieved half of what I have today."
— Ben, longtime student
Taylor is a multi-talented professional, an exceptional teacher, and one of the most patient people I've ever met. He truly cares about his clients' success and focuses on building strong fundamentals, which helps every student reach their potential. Last summer, my 11-year-old daughter skied for the first time — within a month, she was slalom skiing confidently. Taylor worked tirelessly with our entire family, from age 4 to 44, and we're so grateful to continue learning from him this year."
— Sloane, family client
Rates & Booking
$350/hour — includes boat and equipment
$165/hour — use your own boat; gear can be provided upon request
Based in Port Carling, serving all of Muskoka
647-921-2566
@taylorwest17
Contact Taylor West
