Spirit of the West is happy to enjoy a pleasing combo of new and returning staff this year. Let’s introduce to one of our fresh faces for the summer:

Danielle:
Danielle is like a summer breeze: refreshing, sweet and comforting. Yes, comforting! You will be comforted by the cookies she lovingly bakes you and sends out on your Vancouver Island kayak tour. You will be comforted knowing that all the details of your menu are taken care of by her seasoned brain (as she manages to keep track of all the food for 58 trips!) You will be comforted knowing that she loves what she does and is happy all the while. Wow! Danielle is truly a treat in all senses of the word! We are happy to have her on the team this year.

Our two new guides Meredith and Robyn are fresh out of a year of studying and ready to spend the summer on the ocean. Meredith has been on the east coast studying anthropology at Dalhousie in Halifax. With several years experience as a guide, Meredith has paddled and sailed all up and down the coast. Robyn has just completed North Island College's Coastal Adventure Tourism Program and is now working towards a degree in coastal zones Resource Management. You will enjoy her upbeat energy and warmth!

Even the faces of our old-faithful returning staff are looking fresh after a winter of traveling, working elsewhere or, in some cases, awaiting kayak season with baited breath.

Meet two of our returning guides: Luke and Steve. Luke seems to know anyone one and everyone on the coast! A full-time Quadra resident, Luke is a friendly giant. Behind Steve’s easy-going nature and innocent smile, is one of Spirit of the West’s most experienced guides, a strong seaperson and a sneaky sense of humour! As a guest on one of Steve’s tours, you can be sure you’ll be taken care of, laughs included. When he’s not paddling, Steve is traveling the world, out for a sail in his home (a 30 foot boat) or composing on the piano.

At the helm of Spirit of the West, our leadership team is looking fine. Breanne’s face is smiling and relaxed because she is so organized and has all details sorted and ready for the summer. The systems are dialed, the hatches are covered, the PFDs are all in a row!
Rick’s face is fresh, if you look beneath the shaggy beard, after a winter of feeding the fire of his own passion for kayaking…scouting out trips in Patagonia and preparing for an upcoming expedition in Greenland!
J.D.’s face is happy because well, J.D. is always happy!