Our instructors are the most experienced in the BC Interior, bar none!
Three of our instructors have combined rider instruction experience of over 60 years, more than the combined experience of all 14 instructors at another school in Kelowna. All 28 V-Twin instructors are ICBC licensed, and undertake an annual refresher training course. V-Twin is also an ICBC authorized Instructor Training facility, training instructors for V-Twin as well as for other Driver Training schools.
Our Instructor Team
Kim has been a rider training instructor since 1985, and Chief Instructor since 1990. Prior to joining V-Twin Motorcycle Riding School in 2006, he worked for other schools in the Okanagan and lower mainland. He is also an ICBC certified Assessment Officer, and a certified Instructor Trainer, training instructors for V-twin and for other riding schools. Riding experience goes back too many years to count, and includes touring, off-road, commuting, dual-sporting, track (paved and motocross), and some water that he’d rather not talk about. He really likes helping people learn to ride well.
Don began as an instructor with the Vancouver Island Safety Council. When he moved to the interior, he joined with Kim and Tom to train new riders in Kelowna. Al, Garth, Caroline, Nick, and Gerry subsequently joined the team, and they all moved to V-Twin when the V-Twin Okanagan division was formed. Whether he was working as a mechanic in Kamloops, or an RCMP constable in Squamish, Don would always train new riders when he could; after loving husband and devoted father, being an instructor, and being part of the team, was what defined him. Sadly, we lost Don to cancer in 2013. He was a dedicated instructor, great with the students, always finding the right thing to say to help them improve. Don the instructor remains a part of all of us, and as long as we train riders to ride well, to the best of our abilities as Don always did, he will always be a part of the V-Twin team. Godspeed Don, on that ZX6; you are greatly missed.
When Al took a rider training course in 1994; Kim Young and Tom O’Brien were his instructors. This introduction to motorcycling opened up a whole new world, and became a passion for him. He was always around the courses, and going on recreational rides with instructors, so we trained him as an instructor. While living in Kamloops and operating Halliday Refrigeration during the week, Al would ride to Kelowna almost every weekend during the riding season to share his passion with new riders. Now that courses are offered in Kamloops, Al won’t get to enjoy the rides to Kelowna every weekend, but we hope to see him in the Okanagan or Shuswap occasionally. Al is an ICBC certified Assessment Officer as well, and enjoys sport touring and dual sporting as much as he enjoys the long commutes by motorcycle.
Garth started riding in 1976. After moving to Kelowna in 1998 he took an Advanced Rider Course; Kim Young and Tom O’Brien were the instructors. Upon completion he was asked if he wanted to continue his training and become a MC instructor. Garth has been instructing New Riders for over 13 years, again works with Kim Young, and is also an Instructor Trainer. Garth is an adult educator by trade and started as a certified life skills coach in Edmonton. Since moving to Kelowna he has taught hotel restaurant management and Superhost for the Ministry of Tourism through the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to two riding clubs and loves to explore this beautiful province. His enthusiasm and passion for the sport is contagious; let’s ride, see you on the road.
Jasmin Doobay has been through the V-Twin Okanagan New Rider program, Advanced Rider Training and Instructor Training. She’s V-Twin all the way. Jasmin loves riding because it’s her Zen time. Jasmin currently rides a sport-bike but has had the opportunity to ride many models through the years as she was previously part owner of a multi-media motorcycle review business. She also likes playing in the dirt when Kathy lends her a bike. Jasmin’s looking forward to helping you find that great big smile when you realize you’ve started from scratch and made it to riding safely on your own.