The Sealegs Guide Team

The Sealegs Guides are members of the Sea Kayak Guide Alliance of BC which requires them to update credentials every 2 years and to keep their kayak leadership logs up to date. Continuing education is important to Sealegs and the company conducts in-house clinics for its Guides, Assistants and waterfront staff. At Sealegs, team members are encouraged to attend workshops, conferences and clinics in complementary fields.

Click here to read what previous clients have said about our guides!

Bud Bell

Bud was born in Newmarket Ontario, raised in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia and is one of twelve children! Bud has spent the last 22 years of his life on the Pacific Ocean. Not only has he extensively explored Vancouver Island in a boat; he also claims to have swum along every shoreline of the Island as well as parts of the mainland and BC's northern shores! Bud is also a commercial diver.

Before 'emigrating' to BC, Bud worked as a forester managing silvaculture crews, outfitting remote helicopter and fixed wing timber cruising and was a Forestry Operations Manager for Domtar Forest Products. Bud and his wife Sheryll own Sealegs Kayaking. In his spare time Bud enjoys spending time with his 4 active daughters who are involved in soccer, volleyball, rugby, hip-hop dance, baseball, basketball and all those extra curriculars that combine to make leisure time, family time!

"We do not cease to play because we grow old; we grow old because we cease to play!"

~George Bernard Shaw

Certifications:

• Advanced Wilderness First Aid
• Radio Operator's License
• Foodsafe I
• CPR 'C'
• West Coast Guide Leadership Course, Mal-U
• Paddle Canada Certified Sea Kayaking Instructor

Kalvin Beuerlein

Raised in Cedar just South of Nanaimo, Kalvin has been with Sealegs for 10 years. He is currently teaching grades 3, 4 and 5 in the remote community of Telegraph Creek in Northern BC. He hopes to be back on the Island teaching, coaching and paddling permanently some day. Kalvin likes fishing, camping, and kayaking, but playing and coaching basketball are his first passions. His keen mechanical and problem solving skills, sense of humour, high energy and winning smile are qualities that make him a popular choice for our guide team tour selections. Kalvin has become a valuable guide team member. He has led numerous multi-day adventures and supervises Sealegs' Beachfront Operation at Transfer Beach.

Certifications:

• SKGABC Sea Kayak Lead Guide Certification
• Coastal Guide Leadership - Malaspina
• Paddle Canada Certified Sea Kayaking Instructor
• Wilderness First Aid
• Food Safe 1
• Radio Operator's Certificate
• CPR 'C'
• Bachelor of Arts (Double Minor in Physical Education and Geography)
• Bachelor of Education

Lauren Rainone

Raised in Saltair, Lauren has been with Sealegs for 7 years. Her hobbies include camping, boating, biking, music, kayaking, soccer and paddleboarding. Lauren works for the Cowichan School District as an Aboriginal Support Worker and hopes to substitute teach for the district in the future. Lauren has led numerous day trips and has participated in multi-day tours. Her calm presence and passionate attitude are valuable qualities for our guide team.

Certifications:

• Level 1 Sea Kayak Day Guide
• Paddleboard Instructor Training
• Radio Operators
• Pleasure Craft Operator
• CPR C
• Coastal Kayaking Leadership- Malaspina
• Food Safe
• Bachelor of Arts (Major in History, Minor in Physical Education)
• Bachelor of Education

Cole Battie

Cole has been with Sealegs for 6 years. He has completed 2 years at University of Victoria and is contintinuing his Science Degree majoring in Biology at Vancouver Island University for the 2010/11 academic year. Cole returns to us this summer after an adventure/study sabbatical in Australia. Cole enjoys baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, camping, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and mentoring in the big brothers and sister program. Cole has led many day trips and his knowledge of sealife makes his tours educational.

Certifications:

• Food Safe
• CPR C
• Safe Work Place
• Canadian Sail Power Boat Squadron
• Level 1 Sea Kayak Day Guide
• Paddleboard Instructor Training

Ben Chadwick

Ben has been with Sealegs for 3 Years. He's going into his 3nd year at UBC, majoring in Human Kinetics with a Minor in Nutritional Science. Ben's future plans include Med school. Ben likes basketball, beach volleyball, baseball, road hockey, camping, hiking, and kayaking. Ben's kind personality and hard working attitude are great qualities for our guide team.

Certifications:

• Food Safe
• CPR C
• Level 1 Sea Kayak Day Guide
• Paddleboard Instructor Training

Tara Bell

Tara has been kayaking since she was 7 years old. Her early summer months were spent playing at Transfer Beach in and around kayaks. Tara has assisted on numerous tours including the Gulf Islands , Johnstone Strait , Clayoquot Sound and the Broken Group Islands . Tara 's culinary expertise has been an asset preparing menus and food prep for our multi-day tours. Tara enjoys rubgy, cooking and any outdoor activities. Her sense of humor and her experience make her a wonderful asset to our guide team.

Cetifications:

• Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
• Swimming medals - TOP Swimmer in Canada Certificate: Member of a relay team that had the top 25 finishes in Canada for her age group
• Coaching certificate Level 1
• Food safe 1

Kelsey Bell

Kelsey has grown up on the beachfront of Sealegs since her parents started the business. She has been working with Sealegs for 6 years. She is attending the Vancouver Island University working with Campus Recreation and the Intramural Program. Kelsey is pursuing a double minor in Media Studies and Physical Education. Her future plans include applying to the Education program.  She enjoys both indoor and outdoor volleyball, music, camping, kayaking, softball, coaching and paddleboarding. Kelsey's witty humor, charm and enthusiasum are amazing qualities for our guide team.

Certifications:

• First Aid
• CPR C
• Food Safe
• Level 1 Sea Kayak Day Guide
• Paddleboard Instructor Training

Ashley Bell

Ashley has been kayaking since she was 9 yrs. old. Ashley has been working at our beachfront location for the past 11 years and assists with guided tours, courses and lessons. Ashley's incredible high energy makes her a welcome paddling partner and her enthusiastic knowledgeable and genuine manner endears her to our clients and to the other members of the guide team. In the off-season Ashley, a former AAA provincial swimmer has converted her athletic abilities and leadership skills to teaching hip-hop dance, Latin dance and various exercise and aquafit classes. She is currently attending Vancouver Island University, pursuing her Education Degree. Ashley also enjoys outdoor activities including running, surfing, hiking, and nordic walking.

Certifications:

• Food Safe 1
• Tri-Cert (Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Sr. Resuscitation)
• NLS (National Lifesaving Certificate)
• First Aid - CPR 'C'
• Radio Operator's License
• Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
• Sport First-Aid
• Coaching Level 1
• Level 1 Sea Kayak Day Guide
• Bachelor of Arts (Double minor in Physical Education and Media Studies)
• Personal Trainer, Numerous BCRPA instructor certificates

Brendan Harber

Raised in Ontario, Brendan has been with Sealegs for 4 years. His passion for the ocean has brought him to the west coast. Brendan helps operate snorkeling with the seals as well as Kayaking tours. Brendan enjoys hiking, surfing, snowboarding, boating, fishing and kayaking. Brendan's positive attitude makes him a great addition to our guide team.

Certifications

• Food Safe 1
• Assistant Overnight Guide
• Level 2 Skills Paddle Canada
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid
• CPR C
• Open Water Dive Certificate
• Pleasure Craft Operators

Nick Epp-Evans

Nick is a newcomer to the Sealegs guide team. Nick has travelled extensively throughout the world. A citizen of both Australia and the UK, Nick now calls Canada home. Nick's love of adventure, nature and the seas comes with a never ending catalogue of amusing tales. Nick is also an experienced member of the Auxiliary Coastguard, bringing with him the skills to safely operate the Sealegs

marine boat.

Certifications

• SKGABC Assistant overnight guide
• Level 2 Skills Paddle Canada
• Marine First Aid
• CPRC
• VHF Radio Operators
• Paddleboard Instructor Training
• Open Water Dive Certificate
• Marine Boating Certifications

Judy Baker

Spent time at the Bamfield Marine Research Station on the west coast conducting individual research on marine invertebrates ecology. She has a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Ecology and a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Biology. Judy has worked at Simon Fraser University as a lab instructor and currently teaches Adult Basic Education at Malaspina University College.

Judy donates much time (enthusiastically!) doing interpretive beach/forest walks for local schools and private groups. When not busy on the family farm, Judy spends as much time as possible sailing the local waters with her husband and two young sons. She's also very involved with the local Soccer Association and devotes many hours out on the field or on the phone co-ordinating practices, games and jamborees!