Meet Our Staff!
Head Coach & Technical Director
Pat Lester
Pat is a dedicated and experienced coach with a passion for athlete development and performance. Now in his 13th season as Head Coach at the Carleton Place Canoe Club, Pat brings many years of coaching experience and a deep commitment to excellence. He has worked with athletes at all levels, including those competing on the international stage.
Pat holds a Competition Development certification and is a graduate of the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario’s Advanced Coaching Diploma program (2023), demonstrating his expertise and commitment to continuous learning.
A lifelong member of the Carleton Place Canoe Club, Pat grew up paddling and developed into a National-level kayaker. While his foundation is in kayaking, his coaching career has focused on building technical expertise in both canoe and kayak, learning from some of the world’s top coaches.
Pat’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the holistic development of athletes, focusing on personal growth as the foundation for success. He aims to instill confidence, discipline, grit, and resilience - qualities that serve athletes both on and off the water.
With his expertise, dedication, and passion for the sport, Pat is committed to helping athletes reach their full potential while fostering a love for paddling and lifelong learning.
Program Manager
Ellie Lanouette
Ellie’s journey with the Carleton Place Canoe Club began in 2010. Making her way through the CPCC paddler pathway, becoming a full-time high-performance athlete at the age of 14. Throughout her paddling career, Ellie trained year-round and competed in numerous regional, provincial, and national championships.
In 2015, Ellie began coaching, bringing her passion and expertise to the next generation of paddlers. By 2019, she transitioned into a full-time coaching role after completing her first year of university. Starting as the U14 Program Coordinator, Ellie’s dedication and leadership led to her the role of Program Manager at the Carleton Place Canoe Club.
Ellie holds certifications from the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) as a Canoe Kids Coach and Entry-Level Competitive Coach. She has also completed various multi-sport certifications, including Safe Sport Training, Women & Gender Equity modules and Sport Nutrition, among others.
In 2022, Ellie graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a degree in Human Kinetics and a minor in Sport Management. Since then, she has expanded her professional portfolio by taking on roles with Canoe Kayak Ontario, furthering her development within the sport and beyond.
Ellie combines her passion for paddling and education background towards advancing the sport and supporting the next generation of athletes at the CPCC.
