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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

Molly Hagbrand
Hometown: Salen, Sweden
SEA KAYAKING

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

Peter Tjärnlund
Hometown: Malå, Sweden
WHITEWATER PACKRAFTING

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

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

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

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

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

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/