Aqua Bound Ambassadors
The Aqua Bound Ambassadors are a diverse group of paddlers from all over the world. A combination of kayakers, packrafters, paddleboarders and whitewater boaters, this group values the difference a premium paddle makes for their on-water experience. They are educators, instructors, guides, influencers, and experts in their respective field.
Beth Poliquin
Hometown: Maine
KAYAKING + SUP
Beth Poliquin
#404041
Maine
I have always loved being on the water as a kid growing up in Virginia Beach. My first experiences paddling came in college with courses in White Water Kayaking and Canoe Camping, using what I learned on the James River. Trips on the Potomac and New Rivers grew my love for the excitement of moving water.Upon getting married, I moved to Hawaii and started working for a kayak shop in order to spend as much time as possible learning about paddling the islands. A good swell meant taking surf boats out and brushing up on those white water skills. I started guided tours for a small company in Kailua, which also gave me the opportunity to be involved with some conservation efforts specifically related to Wedge-tailed Shearwaters.
After Hawaii, life changed with a move to the Arizona desert and the birth of our two daughters. I got to teach P.E. to homeschool kids and coach at a local high school. While visiting friends in Oregon I tried Stand-Up Paddleboarding for the first time on a lake in the Cascade Mountains.
In 2016 my family moved to Grand Marais, MN, and I started working at Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply as a part-time sales associate and kayak guide. I was the General Manager and had the privilege of leading a great team of people who love the outdoors and helping people experience it safely. I'm still very involved with the store, but we've recently relocated to northern Maine. I'm enjoying getting to explore a new part of the country.
I paddle an Eddyline Raven, which is the perfect Big Lake/sea kayak for this river and wave lover. I use the AquaBound Tango Carbon with a bent shaft. I'm a leftie, so I feather just slightly that way.
My board is a Gray Duck Journey. With this board I've done the Washburn Board Across the Bay and won my division twice. I use the Malta in Tide Green and kinda love having a pretty paddle.
Accomplishments/Experience:
ACA Kayak Instructor Level 2, continuing at Level 3
Red Cross Certified Life Guard
ACE certified personal trainer Tango Carbon Bent Shaft Kailua, HI and Lake Superior's North Shore
Beth Poliquin
Caj Koskinen
Hometown: Parainen, Finland
SEA KAYAKING + PACKRAFTING + WHITEWATER
Caj Koskinen
#404041
Parainen, Finland
I am a packrafting guide and instructor. What I like the most are the long wilderness trips in Northern Finland and Scandinavia (Lapland). Packrafting is most interesting on whitewater, but also in flat water lake hopping. Nature is beautiful all year long, so we make our adventures in the wintertime with back country skies. I also love fishing, hunting and all kind of hiking activities. I live in the beautiful Finnish archipelago, we have about 40.000 islands to explore. Sea kayaks and bicycles are the perfect vessels to enjoy the rich nature here. Shred apart carbon, 4-piece Lapland https://www.instagram.com/caide78/ https://www.facebook.com/hutkai.fi https://www.youtube.com/user/caide78 https://www.hutkai.fi/
Caj Koskinen
Charles Bauer
Hometown: Commack, NY
KAYAKING
Charles Bauer
#404041
Commack, NY
I started kayaking, hiking and biking due to COVID in March of 2020. In June of 2020, I retired from teaching high school history, as well as coaching soccer and golf. Retirement gave me more time to pursue new endeavors, especially kayaking. What I didn't realize was how much these activities would become so important to my physical and mental health. Kayaking has become so central to my pursuit of new challenges and goals. Although I have a favorite paddling spot, I am constantly looking for amazing places to paddle. As a former teacher and coach it has been my passion to introduce kayaking to family and friends, so they may experience nature from a unique perspective. As a result, I started my own website (www.theriver chaz.com) and Instagram page (#theriverchaz), which I hope inspires others to take up kayaking. Sting Ray Hybrid Stony Brook Harbor https://www.instagram.com/theriverchaz/ https://www.theriverchaz.com
Charles Bauer
Christian Harstad
Hometown: Bergen, Norway
SEA KAYAKING
Christian Harstad
#404041
Bergen, Norway
My father introduced me to kayaking when I was very young. For many years, I competed at elite level in flatwater. I was also introduced to long trips with kayak, including hunting and general outdoor activities. This is the foundation for my love to this fantastic sport. This summer I will retire from the military. I am looking forward to get the opportunity to devote my life to paddling, both sea kayak and packraft.
I aim to facilitate for others to discover the feeling of closeness to nature by kayaking. I will pass on the feeling of paddling with safety, and the feeling of comfort and mastery during varying conditions, as well as developing general competence in outdoor activities. Whiskey Carbon, 2-Piece Bent Shaft West Coast of Bergen area https://www.instagram.com/austvestpadling/
Christian Harstad
Dan Ransom
Hometown: Redmond, OR
PACKRAFTING
Dan Ransom
#404041
Redmond, OR
I grew up backpacking and canyoneering near Salt Lake City, Utah. Using a packraft allowed me to access and explore remote areas on the Colorado Plateau that were otherwise inaccessible. My trips have evolved from mostly hiking with some flat water paddling to multi-day adventures focusing on intermediate whitewater. I'll always be partial to the ephemeral rivers of the Colorado Plateau and Grand Canyon, however, I recently moved to Central Oregon to be closer to more year round paddling.
I now live in Redmond, Oregon where I design and create packraft-specific gear like backpacks, pogies, and deck bags.
For backcountry whitewater trips, I use an Alpacka Gnarwhal with a 4 piece Carbon Shred paddle. When weight is a concern, I use an Alpacka Scout with a 4 piece Whiskey paddle. Carbon Shred Colorado Plateau https://www.instagram.com/danransomphoto/ https://www.youtube.com/c/DanRansom https://www.danransom.com
Dan Ransom
David Horkan
Hometown: Ballina, Ireland
SEA KAYAKING + WHITEWATER
David Horkan
#404041
Ballina, Ireland
David is a professional kayaker and one of Ireland's top paddlers. A guide, coach and athlete, he is active at a high-level in multiple disciplines. From paddling raging whitewater rivers, surfing walls of Atlantic swell, to racing over incredibly long distances, his passion for being on the water and commitment to pushing his boundaries makes him a true waterman. Kayaking from a young age on the west coast of Ireland, David was exposed to a variety of disciplines growing up. Polo, whitewater and surf were how he honed his skills in his early teen years.
Kayaking takes up most of David’s time, both professionally and personally. He has completed four Devizes to Westminster races, holds the record for the fastest solo, crossed the North channel of the Irish Sea unsupported, raced the 111km Hawksbury Classic in Australia and is one half of the fastest team to ever kayak around Vancouver Island in Canada.
A Canoeing Ireland Kayak Instructor in whitewater, paddle surf and sea-kayaking, and ISKGA Advanced Guide, David is also a Leave No Trace Trainer and holds a diploma in Earth and Ocean science and business degree.
David has been lucky enough to kayak in amazing locations all over the world, such as Patagonian Chile, Canada, USA, Australia, Antarctica and most of Europe. Whiskey Carbon Bent Shaft https://www.instagram.com/dhkayaking/ # # https://www.dhkayaking.com/
David Horkan
Harald Born/Emma Rova
Hometown: Gothernburg, Sweden
Sea Kayaking and Packrafting
Harald Born/Emma Rova
#404041
Gothernburg, Sweden
We are partners and best friends, we always try and include each other in adventures we both might enjoy doing together. Emma is a marine chemist born in the very North of Sweden. Loves water in all shapes and forms! She is an adventurer on both land and water and newly became a packrafter, She is the one who brings the glamping feel to our trips.
Harald works in the outdoor industry as a product expert and a field test coordinator. He is not new to paddling but has been more in the high mountains lately. He loves small adventures just as much as big ones. He is the one that brings his camera to the trips.
Together we try to make all adventures fun and interesting, not the least for Harald’s daughter who is 5 years old and already on the way to be a as adventurous as us. She is the one that brings all the candy to our adventures. Whiskey Fiberglass 4 Piece Säveån in Gothenburg (our backyard river!) https://www.instagram.com/emmaoharald/ https://www.instagram.com/emmaoharald/
Harald Born/Emma Rova
Jacob Kastrup Haagensen
Hometown: Mollaryd, Sweden
KAYAKING + WHITEWATER
Jacob Kastrup Haagensen
#404041
Mollaryd, Sweden
After a hiking trip with many sketchy river crossings, I stumbled across packrafting through the internet. Packrafts are small inflatable boats that you can bring with you on hiking trips. I decided that packrafts were what I had been looking for and brought one. I brought the packraft for extending my wilderness trips. But soon the interest for packraft took over. Back then I lived in central Copenhagen and used my packraft to explore cities as well as wilderness. So when I started making videos from my trips I named my homepage “urban packrafter” in homage to all the paddling cities have to offer.
In 2016 I moved to Sweden into an old railway station with my family. In Sweden I engaged more in the upcoming packrafting community and became a founding member of the Swedish Packrafting Association. The first Swedish packrafting I documented in the short film “Inflatable People” (2016) and have since made the award-winning paddling film Earning a River (2020).
Accomplishments/Experience
* Paddling inside cities like Venice, Amsterdam, Stockholm.
* Exploring and mapping the Swedish river Fjätan from source to confluence with Dalälven river.
*Paddling the Kaitum River in Swedish Lapland.
*Self supported packrafting trip down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. Whiskey Carbon 4-Piece Krokån, Sweden https://www.instagram.com/urbanpackrafter/ https://www.facebook.com/urbanpackrafter https://www.youtube.com/@urbanpackrafter http://www.urbanpackrafter.com/
Jacob Kastrup Haagensen
"Jalle" Stjernberg
Hometown: Göteborg, Sweden
KAYAKING
"Jalle" Stjernberg
#404041
Göteborg, Sweden
I grew up in the archipelago north of Stockholm in Sweden. I discovered sea kayaking when I was a teenager and I found it to be quite amazing. I wanted to take my passion to another level so I decided to become a wilderness guide and specialize myself within sea kayaking.Now I'm currently living in Gothenburg, the west coast of Sweden and I'm working with sea kayaking during the summers at the kayak centre, Nautopp. I mainly work as an instructor and love teaching sea kayaking to other people. You can find me all over the nordic countries, teaching sea kayaking to people.
Accomplishments/Experience
ACA level 2 instructor
BCU 3*
Aktivitetsleder, NPF
NIL instructor
EPP assessor, green level
Wilderness guide
Wilderness first responder Jalle Tango Carbon 210cm Lofoten, Norway https://www.instagram.com/jallestjernberg/
"Jalle" Stjernberg
Jeffrey Creamer
Hometown: Mancos, CO
PACKRAFTING
Jeffrey Creamer
#404041
Mancos, CO
I am based in southwest Colorado and have been packrafting wilderness mountain and desert runs
since 2014. With paddling origins as an outrigger canoer, I transitioned to a backcountry technical
whitewater focus via packraft and have helped lead the development of class V expedition packrafting in
the western US, including multiple descents of Upper Cherry Creek and the Middle Kings. I have also helped advance the niche sport of skirafting (ski+packraft routes), linking together ski traverses with wilderness paddling up to 300 miles in total length in the US Rockies and Alaska. I also work as an assistant instructor for packraft and rescue skills with Swiftwater Safety Institute as well as packraft manufacturing, design and testing with Alpacka Raft. Whiskey Fiberglass Middle Clearwater River system https://www.instagram.com/jeffreycreamer/ https://www.youtube.com/@jeffreycreamer https://requiemforajob.blogspot.com/
Jeffrey Creamer
Jeremie Lamart
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
WHITEWATER + PACKRAFTING
Jeremie Lamart
#404041
Stockholm, Sweden
Watching too many westerns and reading heaps of Jack London novels when I was a kid led me to an addiction for exploration, outdoor sports and storytelling. Long remote trips are my cup of tea and while I’m a whitewater paddler at heart, I like to combine different sports like climbing and cycling on my adventures. I have the ability to sleep under the stars, on a portaledge, on a packraft or just in a tent.
The whitewater community is my family and I love to share whether I’m guiding, instructing, taking part or organizing meetups and other events. Kayaking and packrafting are my water sports.
I also use my art - I’m an illustrator and visual artist- to share my stories with the community and everyone who is interested in the outdoors. I’ll always be an advocate for river and nature conservation.
See y'all on the river! Shred Carbon Sjoa, Norway
Jeremie Lamart
Jessica Kelley
Hometown: Mazama, WA
WHITEWATER + PACKRAFTING
Jessica Kelley
#404041
Mazama, WA
I worked as a river guide in my early 20s, and then took a break from paddling before purchasing a packraft in 2017. The timing couldn’t have been better, as my boat coincidentally arrived just days after breaking my ankle. While my ankle healed, I dedicated myself to learning everything I could about packrafting. In 2018 I was awarded the Kyle Dempster Solo Adventure Award, and completed a 1,350 mile bikerafting loop in Alaska, paddling the Yukon River with my bike on the bow. My Aquabound Manta Ray served me well during this adventure. Upon returning home from Alaska, I continued packrafting and got reacquainted with whitewater. I now live in a small town in the North Cascades, surrounded by several beautiful mountain rivers, with my husband, child, and dog. My favorite time of day is right after my first sip of coffee, which is ideally right before a day on the river. Shred Carbon Methow River https://www.instagram.com/jessi_goes/
Jessica Kelley
Joachim Larssen
Hometown: Nesodden, Norway
SEA KAYAKING
Joachim Larssen
#404041
Nesodden, Norway
My kayaking journey started 6 years ago in Thailand where I found an old dream, I was kayaking along a tropical beach. 6 months later I was back in Thailand, bought a kayak and started in Ranong with a friend. After 3 weeks, halfway in my friend left for other adventures. I continued from Phuket and crossed over to Malaysia 3 weeks later. After that I explored diving and freediving for some years. I loved it but had this calling to kayak Norway. So, in 2019 I started my second kayaking trip. I didn't make it all the way and stopped at the North cape after 4,000km.
In 2020 I returned to Asia and Sri Lanka but covid started when I arrived, and I was asked to leave the country and return another time. In 2021 I was the first to attempt to kayak Norway from border to border and back again. After 223 days and 6,200km I made it back to Oslo fjord. In 2022 I hoped to kayak from Oslo to Tarifa, but things didn't go as planned so I ended up at the Swe/Fin border instead. For 2023 Norway again with a twist!
Check out ShibbyTraveler.com
For me kayaking is about connecting with nature, finding inner peace, total freedom and testing your limits. Whiskey Cross Country https://www.instagram.com/shibbytraveler/ https://www.facebook.com/ShibbyTraveler https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoN80NFXNnT9HbX7xY32QhA https://www.shibbytraveler.com/
Joachim Larssen
Johan Grönblad
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
SEA KAYAKING + PACKRAFTING
Johan Grönblad
#404041
Stockholm, Sweden
I identify as a hiker seeing my life as a paddler as an extension of the hiking experience. The packraft allows me to hike a few days in to the wild and then to paddle a river back to civilization. It is truly a special kind of adventure. The sea kayak, on the other hand, lets me access the wild in my backyard around my hometown Stockholm. The Swedish word for archipelago (skärgård) means a garden of islands, and that is on point. With just a few hours of paddling you can find untouched islands with glorious views. This is what paddling is to me. Shred Carbon 4-Piece The Stockholm archipelago for sea kayaking and in the far north of Scandinavia for my packrafting adventures https://www.instagram.com/johan_gronblad/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd142QX0_p_vSQbFXJKka2Q
Johan Grönblad
Jonas Alexandersson
Hometown: Mellerud, Sweden
KAYAKING
Jonas Alexandersson
#404041
Mellerud, Sweden
I was born to be on the sea. I grew up in the Swedish countryside with a lot of trees around, but I spent most of my free time in a canoe. At 15, I went to sea to work and eleven years later I was a Captain in the merchant marine. 20 years ago I quit the seaman's life because I was tired of being away from my family for months and got a job as a ship pilot on the Great Lake Vänern in Sweden. About the same time I discovered kayaking!After a few years without any instructions, I slowly got the hang of it and when I finally got some great instructors my kayaking improved a lot. I did my first roll on a NOLS kayak expedition in Alaska and that was like a boost for me. I try to do a longer expedition at least once every year. Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Croatia are some of the places I've been to. Alaska and Greenland are very close to my heart.
I lead groups on expeditions today and hold classes in paddling technique and rolling, but I find that there are a lot of more accomplished paddlers out there that I humbly learn a lot from.
Accomplishments/Experience
Master Mariner
Wilderness First Responder
Sea kayaker Whiskey Carbon Great Lake Vänern in Sweden https://www.instagram.com/retsam62/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057213859164 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt_DsajILEQWM4RCBWLNa9w?view_as=public
Jonas Alexandersson
Katja Koskinen
Hometown: Parainen, Finland
PACKRAFTING + WHITEWATER + SEA KAYAKING
Katja Koskinen
#404041
Parainen, Finland
I started packrafting to be able to access remote wilderness lakes in North Finland. Packrafting
enabled completely different kinds of adventures, and soon I also felt drawn to whitewater
paddling. I found new friends from around Scandinavia and the world who shared the same passion for packrafting and outdoors. Although I dream of paddling rivers all over the world, I think Finland and the Nordic countries are truly packrafter paradise with amazing wild nature and there is enough for me to explore for a lifetime. Finland is quite a long country, and as I live south near the sea, I often find myself traveling north to Lapland for longer trips in the wilderness; these adventures are the best. However, in my backyard starts another paradise for sea kayaking in our beautiful archipelago with thousands of islands. I think I’m a lucky girl to live in a place like this. Shred Apart Carbon 4-Piece Wilderness rivers in Scandinavia https://www.instagram.com/katjajohanna80/
Katja Koskinen
Ken Whiting
Hometown: Beachburg, ON, Canada
KAYAKING + WHITEWATER
Ken Whiting
#404041
Beachburg, ON, Canada
Ken Whiting is a World Champion kayaker, author and host of PaddleTV, the largest paddlesports YouTube channel. Ken is a life-long adventurer and learner, dedicating his life and career to inspiring others to get out into nature and helping people experience the outdoors through paddling. Ken is also the host of and Producer of Facing Waves –North America’s only paddling focused TV Series. Now in its 9th season, Facing Waves is a travel TV series where Ken discovers cultures, landscapes and paddling adventures that surround amazing travel destinations around the world. Whiskey Fiberglass https://www.instagram.com/paddle365/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/user/PaddleTV https://in4adventure.com/paddling-home/
Ken Whiting
Kevin Whitley
Hometown: Norfolk, VA
KAYAKING
Kevin Whitley
#404041
Norfolk, VA
I got into a kayak in 2001 with the intention to do a long distance tour. I immediately began fishing while training for a tour and found the kayak the perfect platform and started fishing heavily. I went on 7 long distance tours with the longest a 4 and a half month, 1,800 mile tour from Pensacola, FL to Virginia.I became more well known for many first in my home waters of the Chesapeake bay. My friends and I were the first to target big red drum on the shoals and big striper in the winter from kayaks. I became the first kayaker to achieve the Virginia Saltwater Expert angler, landing 6 trophy sizes species in a year. In 2007 I achieved it for the second time. In 2011 I became the first kayaking Virginia Saltwater Master angler.
From 2010 to 2014 I produced 4 kayaking DVDs. A three part series on "Kayak Fishing the Chesapeake Bay" and one on the 600 mile 6 week tour of the Chesapeake Bay.
I did the Kayak Kevin Podcast every week for 2015 and 2016 that was fun hanging out with local kayak and boat fishermen In 2017 I did a 16 week tour in the everglades and 10 thousand island area and up the coast of Florida.
The next year I took a break from the saltwater to learned about the rivers of Virginia and smallmouth. I'm lucky here to live by the bay and have rivers that go over the class III fall line rapids and smallmouth bass 100 miles away.
Now when its windy on the Bay which is often can fish or run the whitewater on the rivers. I don't do long tours anymore but I do have some great kayak camping spots that I go to every year on the Chesapeake Bay and the Rappahannock river.
Last year 2020, was a phenomenal year for the big red drum, I landed the most I've ever landed. I had a good year on the smallmouth and learned more in the whitewater. This year should be as good if not better. Tango Carbon for saltwater, Tango Fiberglass for rivers Eastern shore of VA on the saltwater and the Appomattox River fall line run
Kevin Whitley
Laila Johanne Reigstad
Hometown: Bergen/Sotra, Norway
KAYAKING
Laila Johanne Reigstad
#404041
Bergen/Sotra, Norway
Laila Johanne Reigstad lives on the Norwegian west coast, close to the city of Bergen. She has been seakayaking since 2002, when she visited Spitsbergen and got hooked both on the Arctic and kayaking! She has been a happy member of the Aqua Bound family since spring, 2019.
Reigstad’s background is in academia. She holds a doctoral degree in molecular cancer biology, working with human thyroid cancer for a decade. Since then she has led several research groups within the fields of microbiology and even projects related to subseafloor storage of carbondioxide.
In 2015 she decided to take a 6-month break from science to go kayaking in Greenland, with whales in Northern Norway and do some high-altitude kayaking. Well, she never returned to academia and has now lived seven years, full-time, year-round, seakayaking through her own company, ReigstadUnlimited!
Reigstad is a certified kayak instructor in the Norwegian Paddling Association and teaches mostly courses for seakayak beginners as well as guides kayak tours on Norwegian glacier lakes, open ocean and narrow fjords. She still goes up north to northern light land to kayak with humpback whales during the winter, and every summer she guides kayak expeditions in the Greenlandic wilderness. You will see her kayaking the area in the 2022 Aqua Bound film!
In fall 2021 she wrote a sold-out beginners guide to sea kayaking. Since January 2022, Reigstad is the editor of the Norwegian magazine, Padling!
In seakayaks or packrafts, you will always find her with an Aqua Bound Whiskey bent shaft in her hand. Whiskey Carbon Bent Shaft The North Sea exposed Norwegian coastline https://www.facebook.com/ReigstadUnlimited/
Laila Johanne Reigstad
Lars Klüser
Hometown: Osten, Germany
SEA KAYAKING
Lars Klüser
#404041
Osten, Germany
I am passionate about water sports since my early childhood. My biggest passion is kayaking, on salty sea water but also on mountain creeks. Actually, I started kayaking in white water and then turned into a sea kayaker as I was drawn back to my salty home waters in Northern Germany again. My favorite place to go paddling is the wide and waste intertidal zone of the Wadden Sea, where everything is in constant changing with the rhythm of the tides. I also love to paddle on the beautiful tidal river Oste, which is just a couple of meters away from my doorstep.
At SeaKayak Kehdingen I introduce beginners as well as advanced paddlers to the tidal zones of the Wadden Sea and teach them how to paddle safely and joyfully in this impressive environment.
Moreover, I have a degree in meteorology and oceanography, so I know one thing about the sea or two. And if I talk about marine weather, it is definitely no small talk. Tango Carbon German Wadden Sea https://www.instagram.com/seakayak.kehdingen/ https://www.facebook.com/SeaKayakKehdingen/ https://www.seakayak-kehdingen.de/
Lars Klüser
Marcel Bieg
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
WHITEWATER + SURF KAYAK
Marcel Bieg
#404041
Eugene, Oregon
For me, paddesports is the guiding force that has helped me navigate the trials of life. I started river kayaking in 1994 and soon thereafter began my professional career as a raft guide and kayak instructor. My love for the outdoors and those first professional experiences pushed me to pursue a degree in Experiential Education. I have found success in education and my love for teaching paddle sports has taken me around the planet. I am a multi discipline paddler and though I spend slightly more time in a whitewater boat, I am equally passionate about Sea Kayaking, Rafting, SUP, Surf Kayaking and beyond. I love taking new paddlers on the water as much as I enjoy charging challenging water with my trusted crew. I also enjoy integrating my padding with other passions such as Scuba Diving, Fishing and Expeditions. Today I work entirely in the adventure education field. Accomplishments/Experience:
• Father/Husband
• MS Experiential Education
• Multi-discipline ACA Instructor to Instructor Trainer Educator Manta Ray Carbon Colorado River, Grand Canyon https://www.instagram.com/marcelbieg/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/marcel.bieg.142/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5uTZXZoArp82vrw5RIKtTw https://www.eugene-or.gov/749/Outdoor
Marcel Bieg
Maurita Gibson
Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia
SEA KAYAKING
Maurita Gibson
#404041
Victoria, British Columbia
My favourite place to be is anywhere on the water! I work full-time as a sea kayak guide on Vancouver Island with Kingfisher Wilderness Adventures and am pretty lucky to call paddling the waters of Johnstone Strait, Broughton Archipelago and Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site “work!” I grew up canoeing the Great Lakes, but after a family vacation to the west coast, I fell in love with the ocean and have called British Columbia home ever since. I sea kayak to explore remote and otherwise inaccessible areas, educate others about Canada’s incredible coastal ecosystems, and empower paddlers with the skills needed to paddle on their own – I love seeing the “lightbulb moment” as people of all ages and backgrounds realize they are capable! In my spare time I can be found scheming up new trips, rollerblading, and making jewelry. Always more to explore and learn!
Whiskey Carbon 2-Piece Bent Shaft Kayak Paddle
Nootka Sound
https://www.instagram.com/msmaurita/
Maurita Gibson
Molly Hagbrand
Hometown: Salen, Sweden
SEA KAYAKING
Molly Hagbrand
#404041
Salen, Sweden
Every day I spend on the water, my passion for sea kayaking and nature grows. I first started sea kayaking as a part of school. Now I work full-time in outdoor education with sea kayaking being one of my main skills. I love the challenge of having to adapt to the conditions offered by nature and making decisions based on observations. I like the variety kayaking has to offer, anything from the ocean being a mirror to rock-hopping and surf. I have great passion for teaching and find the outdoor classroom the perfect place for me to be in. Helping people develop their skills and share passion for the sport I like so much is very fun to see. I primarily work for NOLS as an instructor leading expeditions, and I can sometimes be found in the Stockholm archipelago guiding or running courses. Some of my favorite places to paddle are Lofoten in Norway, with its fjords and mountains, and Baja in Mexico. Baja offers sunrise paddling with dolphins and white sandy beaches as well as great surf on the Pacific Ocean side. Whiskey Baja, Mexico
Molly Hagbrand
Nick Ray
Hometown: Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland
SEA KAYAKING
Nick Ray
#000000
Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland
I’m fortunate to live in the colourful town of Tobermory on the wild and stunning Isle of Mull on the west coast of Scotland. I am an inveterate sea kayaker who loves nothing more than paddling slowly around the nooks and crannies of Tobermory Bay, hoping to chance upon seals, otters, sea eagles and other amazing coastal life. Immersion in Nature and wildness is elemental for me and sea kayaking is the most obvious way for me to enjoy this. I particularly enjoy long kayaking expeditions when I journey at the pace of nature, reaching beautiful places few get to see. I live with severe and enduring clinical depression which is a constant internal battle for me. I strongly believe in the
curative power of nature and I hope by being open about my illness and my active life in the natural world, I offer insights and awareness for others. I’m grateful and proud to be an ambassador for Aqua Bound.
Whiskey Carbon Straight Shaft
https://www.instagram.com/nick_lifeafloat/
https://www.facebook.com/LifeAfloat
https://youtube.com/c/NickRayLifeAfloat
https://www.lifeafloat.co.uk/
Nick Ray
Peter Tjärnlund
Hometown: Malå, Sweden
WHITEWATER PACKRAFTING
Peter Tjärnlund
#404041
Malå, Sweden
I live in the most northern part of Sweden (Lapland) in a very small village with the wilderness on my doorstep. I can literally start an adventure directly from my house. I have been paddling packraft since 2011. In the beginning I did mostly lake paddling, but since 2016 I have done more and more rivers and whitewater. Every year, me and my closest friends try to go on at least one longer packrafting trip (7-10 days). We also do a couple of shorter trips every year, including roundups.
Beside packrafting I also do Nordic skiing, traditional hiking and MTB. Aqua Bound Shred Many untouched rivers in the north of Sweden https://www.instagram.com/stavros6969/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsiSxOrixnUqGVAPLCnmJw
Peter Tjärnlund
Rachel Bott
Hometown: Pembrokeshire, Wales
SEA KAYAKING
Rachel Bott
#404041
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Hi! I'm a marine biologist and sea kayak guide living in beautiful Pembrokeshire. I started my paddling life as a river raft guide, and after moving to the spectacular West of Wales, I quickly dived into a sea kayak and never looked back. I now sea kayak for work and fun and still can't get enough! As a guide in Pembroekshire I have the privilege of guiding and instructing folks around some of the most spectacular scenery in the world (not biased at all!!). Sea kayaking also takes me over-seas guiding, instructing and exploring and I have found this to be one of the most powerful vehicles for exploring the mind as well as the coastlines!
I work as a freelance guide and coach for a number of local companies such as Sea Kayak Guides Pembrokeshire and I love working with different groups such as women specific weekends, mixed ability development or leadership qualifications. The beauty of sea kayaking is that it's accessible for everyone, what are you waiting for??!! Rach Tango North Pembrokeshire https://www.instagram.com/rachlette_b/?hl=en
Rachel Bott
Reidar Sether
Hometown: Trondheim, Norway
SEA KAYAKING
Reidar Sether
#404041
Trondheim, Norway
Born and raised on the island of Hitra in Norway I've always been fascinated and attracted by the ocean. When getting my first kayak (at age 40+) a new world opened and I really felt that I had found my passion. In the beginning my trips were on calm waters, preferably with a nice sunset and coffee in the day hatch. This very soon shifted towards open ocean, skerries, large swells and breaking waves. Still love a good sunset paddle with a bonfire, but what really attracts me is playing and pushing the limits in demanding conditions. I also tend to find ways to play around even on calm waters, by dropping from a dock or seal launching from the shore.
I also do teaching sessions, host a kayaking podcast (Norwegian only) and some would probably also say that I am a little obsessed with new kayaking gear and gadgets. Whiskey Fiberglass bent shaft Hitra, Norway https://www.instagram.com/reidarkayaks/ https://www.youtube.com/c/ReidarSether
Reidar Sether
Robert McNamee
Hometown: Sweden
SEA KAYAKING
Robert McNamee
#404041
Sweden
I have fully immersed myself in a wilderness Scandinavian lifestyle. Originally from the UK, I have spent many years guiding multi-day kayaking expeditions in the Sankt Anna and Gryt archipelagos, from late spring into the autumn. I have also worked as a sea kayak guide in northern New Zealand, exploring offshore volcanic caves. In the wintertime, I live 200km within the arctic circle, leading arctic wilderness and northern lights photography excursions in Abisko, northern Sweden. In 2020 I will also be leading multi-day ski touring trips in the beautiful fjälls of Darlana, Sweden.
I have now reached the point in my life where I can share my two true passions in life nature and photography.
Robert McNamee
Tommy Gram
Hometown: Buena Vista, Colorado
WHITEWATER
Tommy Gram
#404041
Buena Vista, Colorado
My name is Tommy Gram. I have been whitewater kayaking for the past 16 years and Teaching kayaking for the past 10 years. I love spending time on the water in any capacity with students or friends, Class I or Class V. Whitewater Kayaking has brought me all over the place and given me many awesome experiences. I now live in the Upper Arkansas River Valley in Buena Vista Colorado. Accomplishments/Experience
American Canoe Association Whitewater Kayak & Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer Shred Carbon Arkansas River http://www.whitewaterattainment.com
Tommy Gram
William McCluskey
Hometown: Orkanger, Norway
SEA KAYAKING
William McCluskey
#404041
Orkanger, Norway
Paddling kayak since I was 9 years old, I started paddling whitewater on the rivers of Scotland at fifteen. In my forties I started sea kayaking here in Norway. I paddle all year round preferably in extreme weather conditions, a storm in winter my favorite of all, but a mirror still sea with a beautiful sunset is also appealing. Sea air and the beautiful Norwegian coast is essential for my health, mental and physical. With awesome nature, open seas or fjords, wildlife, sea life and birdlife, paradise indeed. Whiskey Carbon Snillfjord, mid Norway https://www.instagram.com/williammccluskey/ https://www.facebook.com/Orklandskysten-107778854450833 https://www.kayakphotography.com/