Meet the Guides
Take a moment to meet the staff at Spirit of the West!
Our staff are simply exceptional and match the culture and spirit of our organization. They all have an amazing passion for kayaking British Columbia and for the killer whales in the BC waters that make it such a great experience.
Terms like self-reliance, adaptability, responsibility, confidence, and sense of humour all come to mind when describing their qualities. Considering that guides must perform in the multiple roles of wilderness guide, gourmet chef, role model and educator, it's no surprise that they come from a wide variety of professions and backgrounds to each bring a unique and valued perspective to the way our business runs.
Our guides are extremely skilled in kayaking, back country travel, responsible environmental practices, and high levels of first aid and safety procedures, continually upgrading their training and striving to improve knowledge and skills. And all our staff are adventurers in their own right - traveling and wilderness tripping does't pause for us when the season's over! Personal and training trips around the British Columbia coast and around the world keep us on top of our game. At the end of the day, what we ensure is that every trip is as safe and memorable as can be, and that you will not be disappointed kayaking the British Columbia coast.
Spirit of the West reunion at guides Luke and Miray's wedding
at their home on Sonora Island
Luke Roman - Born and raised on the BC coast, Luke's love for the outdoors and wilderness adventure began at an early age. Over the past ten years, Luke's passion has taken him around the world to guide in such diverse locations as Guatemala, Belize, and New Zealand. In addition to paddling, Luke is a graduate of the Wilderness Leadership Program at Capilano University and has worked extensively facilitating youth leadership and development programs. With a warm sense of humour, keen know-how, and sharp culinary skills, Luke will keep you smiling on the water. Calling Quadra Island home, Luke will be back this year for his fifth season of leading trips with Spirit of the West.
Meredith Lewis - Meredith Lewis loves being outside! While she calls Vancouver Island home, she lived for five winters in Halifax where she studied anthropology. She has spent many summers exploring the BC coast by sailboat and kayak and is always excited to get back out there after the long, cold winter. Meredith has travelled a lot by land and by sea and still tells anyone who will listen about just how beautiful her BC home really is.
Rick Snowdon - Rick brings his experience working as a guide trainer in Ecuador, community development project manager in the South Pacific, sailor and freelancer writer to his work as a guide with Spirit of the West. In addition to being part owner of Spirit of the West, Rick teaches sea kayaking for Capilano University and is president of the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC.
Breanne Quesnel - A certified teacher, Breanne brings her passion for learning and outdoor education to the field as she guides your trip. Breanne has also guided whitewater and sea kayaking trips in Ontario while attending university in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Breanne is also part owner of Spirit of the West.
Mattias Lundin - Mattias has guided in different places around the world such as New Zealand, Norway and Sweden and has got a Diploma in adventure tourism from NMIT New Zealand. Off season Mattias is studying Energy engineering at Umeå University in Sweden while trying to get as much skiing and other outdoor activities in. During the cold season he's playing kayak polo in the indoor pool waiting for the whitewater season to start. He loves the laid back and relaxing atmosphere on Quadra Island.
Miray Campbell - Miray has been leading trips with Spirit of the West Adventures for over 6 years. She is now the lead guide on The Columbia III, better know as the Mothership. Miray is an accomplished musician as well as being our own killer whale expert.
Ivanka Cankovic - has a degree in biology, and spent years working as an interpretive guide. In her spare time, she dabbles in carpentry and drives heavy machinery. She loves canoeing and kayaking, meeting new people, and discovering new places by land and water. After a long, leisurely season on the ocean, she's back to shredding frozen water and exploring in the mountains near Golden, BC.
Luke Hyatt - Hailing from the Queen Charlotte Islands, when Luke isn't guiding for us he can be found assisting researchers in the field or maneuvering his paraglider high in the sky. Luke works with Miray on the Mothership.
Tracy Sinclair - Tracy wears many hats on Quadra Island. In a single day she could be serving you coffee in the morning, guiding you in the afternoon, and hosting you at the Heriot Bay Inn in the evenings. In the winter she takes on the role of world adventure traveler, having completed a cycle tour through Uganda.
Steve Schellenberg - Steve applies his charm and talents guiding multi-day trips. He's also an accomplished musician – if only we could bring a piano in a kayak! During the Canadian winter he spends his time guiding kayak tours in both New Zealand and Belize, and is in training to become a pilot.
Graham Vaughan - Is an outdoor enthusiast and lives for his time spent in the natural world. A Wilderness Leadership Program and Outdoor Recreation Management Graduate from Capilano University, Graham has a passion for educating and inspiring others. Abroad, he has kayak guided in Patagonia, done aid work in Paraguay and guided whitewater rafting trips in BC for five years. When he is not kayaking, Graham fills his days mountain biking and skiing around his home in Squamish, BC.
Tara Robinson - Born and raised in British Columbia, Tara has always enjoyed the best of what BC has to offer. She brings a contagious adoration for the outdoors and life near the ocean. Tara has experience in various expedition style trips in not only kayaking but also backpacking and ski touring. She's a recent graduate of the Wilderness Leadership Program and a new addition to Quadra Island. Her philosophy on life is that fun and smiles are a true measure of success.
Ryan Schaffrick - After spending a number of years in the army being uncomfortable in the outdoors, one day I had an epiphany on the West Coast Trail. Since then I have spent time teaching people to be comfortable outside. I completed the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training program at Strathcona Park Lodge in 2006 and have since been teaching outdoor education and guiding in BC and Switzerland. An avid traveler, I have arguably been to all 7 continents.
Pat Friesen loves to work and play in the great outdoors. As a recent graduate of a 2-year Adventure Guiding program in Kamloops, he has had plenty of time to do just that. He has been lucky to hone his skills in sea kayaking, hiking, skiing, rock climbing, canoeing and whitewater paddling. Just name the sport and he would be happy to give it a shot. Pat is very passionate about the coastal environment and is excited to learn more and more everyday as an Assistant Guide.
Hannah Rohan - Hannah likes all sorts of artsy things, painting, drawing, sewing, etc. She likes to cook as long as recipes don't call for cornstarch because she never seem to have any. Hannah likes to sail and swim and draw pretty pictures and all matters of innocent girl things. If she is beginning to sound too feminine she can assure you that nail polish and make up are her greatest foes. She is also a brown belt in karate.
Robin Humphreys - Raised on a one of the remote Discovery Islands, the ocean has been a constant part of Robin's life. She loves the outdoors and feels extremely lucky to work in and around them. Robin spends as much time as possible on the water, either kayaking or sailing. Robin is one of our Food Prep team and is also an Assistant Guide.
Robyn Hutchings - Robyn has a passion for all marine critters from plankton to whales and an interest in coastal conservation. Robyn has worked with with both Orcalab as well as CetaceaLab. Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago are her favorite places on earth.
Cloe Elias - As Assistant Operations Manager, Chloe is the glue of Spirit of the West. Some days you'll find her in the office answering the phone and organizing trips and other days she's in the kitchen baking up a storm and preparing gear. Basically she's our all-around basecrew girl. Chloe is a true Quadra Islander and has worked with us for three years now. During the winter months she can be found just a little further south in Victoria working on her degree in Women's Studies and Social Justice at the University of Victoria.