Sealegs Kayaking Tours

Wildlife Tour 2hrs

The Sealegs Guide Team

The Sealegs Guides are members of the Sea Kayak Guides 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.

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 24 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, parts of the mainland, north to Alaska and the Haida Gwaii! Bud is also a commercial diver.

Before 'emigrating' to BC, Bud worked in forestry 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.

"We do not cease to play because we grow old; we grow old because we cease to play!" ~ George Bernard Shaw

Certification

• Radio Operator's License
• Foodsafe 1
• CPR 'C'
• West Coast Guide Leadership Course, Mal-U
• Paddle Canada Certified Sea Kayaking Instructor
• Occupational First Aid Level 1
• Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety (MED A3)
• Small Vessel Operator Proficiency
• Dive Accident Mgt/Oxygen Therapy Cert
• PADI
• Occupational Diver Cert.
• BC Timber Environmental Mgt. Cert

 

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Kalvin Beuerlein

Raised in Cedar just South of Nanaimo, Kalvin has been with Sealegs for 11 years. He had taught Grades 3, 4 and 5 in the remote community of Telegraph Creek in Northern BC. He is back on the Island teaching, coaching and paddling. 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

 

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Cole Battie

Cole has been with Sealegs for 7 years. He is currently working at completing a Science Degree at the University of Victoria majoring in Biology. Cole returns to UVIC after an adventure/study sabbatical in Australia. Cole enjoys baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, camping, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, diving and mentoring in the Big Brothers and Sister program. Cole has led many day trips and assists on multi-day adventures. His knowledge of sealife makes his tours educational and enjoyable. Join Cole on a Snorkeling tour!

Certifications:

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

 

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Ben Chadwick

Ben has been with Sealegs for 4 Years. He's a UBC Graduate majoring in Human Kinetics with a Minor in Nutritional Science. Ben's future plans include a career in physiotherapy. Ben likes basketball, beach volleyball, baseball, road hockey, camping, hiking, sport diving and kayaking. Ben's kind personality and hard working attitude are great qualities for our guide team. 

Ben leads our guided day tours and assists with our multi-day adventures. Ben also loves teaching introductory SUP lessons and guiding SUP tours. He is also our resident "Adapt-Kayak' specialist.

Certifications:

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

 

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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 rugby, swimming, wildlife interpretation, camping, cooking, hiking, fishing....anything outdoorsy! Her contagious sense of humor makes her fun to be around!

Certifications:

• 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
• Deck Hand Certificate

 

Kelsey Bell

Kelsey has grown up on the beachfront of Sealegs since her parents started the business. She has been working with Sealegs for 7 years. She is attending Vancouver Island University 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, soccer, scuba diving, 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
• PADI certificate

 

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Ashley Bell

Ashley has been kayaking since she was 9 yrs. old. Ashley has been working at our beachfront location for the past 15 years and assists with guided tours, courses, lessons and helps in the beach office. Ashley's incredible high energy makes her a welcome paddling partner and her enthusiastic, knowledgeable and genuine manner endears her to our clients. 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. During the academic year she teaches in the Nanaimo and Cowichan School Districts and is a personal trainer and fitness instructor. Ashley also enjoys outdoor activities including running, surfing, kayaking, camping, hiking, and 'TRXing'.

 

 

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
• Pleasure Craft Operators Cert
• Level 1 Sea Kayak Day Guide
• Bachelor of Arts (Double minor in Physical Education and Media Studies)
• Personal Trainer, Numerous BCRPA instructor certificates
• Bachelor of Education

 

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Gerhardt Lepp

Gerhardt is a SKGABC Level 3 Sea Kayak Guide and Paddle Canada Level 1 Instructor. He has spent the last 20 years exploring the west coast kayaking, mountaineering, hiking, and running rivers. He climbed all the "Island Qualifiers" with the Alpine Club of Canada. Gerhardt has worked as a park naturalist and ranger in Alberta. He  has been involved in search and rescue operations for 12 years as a ranger, ski patroller, Ground Search and Rescue and Coast Guard Auxiliary. His formal education is in environmental science and information systems. His career has included building information systems for weather, avalanche control, VHF networks and wildlife inventory. Gerhardt enjoys getting out of the office and working as a  kayak guide in the summer. He loves adventures in wild places. 

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Certifications:

• SKGABC Sea Kayak Lead Guide Certification

Brendan Harber

Raised in Ontario, Brendan has been with Sealegs for 6 years. His passion for the ocean has brought him to the west coast. Brendan is a certfied Guide Assist and helps with our kayaking and snorkeling tours. Brendan enjoys hiking, surfing, gourmet cooking, snowboarding, boating, fishing and kayaking. Brendan's friendly & compassionate spirit and 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

 

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Nick Epp-Evans

Nick "Burgundy" has been with Sealegs for 3 years 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 an experienced member of the Auxiliary Coastguard, bringing with him the skills to safely operate the Sealegs landing craft. HIs extensive knowledge, amusing tales and silver tongue make his tours unforgettable.

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

 

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Andy Darling

"My only wish is that those who follow will appreciate the splendor of the forest, with its soft carpets of shaded moss, tiny scented star flowers, and the abundance of lillies, the laughing streams, the lazy lakes and the shimmering sand."

Certifications:

• Level 1 Sea Kayak
• Paddleboard Instructor Training
• Assistant Overnight Sea Kayak Guide
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid
• Radio Operators License

 

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Arnaud Gagne

Originally from Québec, Arnaud has been guiding and teaching in the British Columbia wilderness for over 10 years. Having spent a lot of time leading groups through mountains, lakes,

and rivers; he has felt the strong call of the seas in the last few years.

 

Arnaud is very passionate about getting closer to the land he belongs to by learning as much as he can about the natural world and how to live in harmony with it. From exploring the oceans and mountains to gardening and harvesting wild foods or tracking animals and  making his own bow and arrows, Arnaud lives most of his life in the outdoors.

 

In the Winter season, he has worked in the ski industry as an instructor and patroller for over15 years, spending much of his free time exploring the backcountry on skis.

  

Certifications:

• SKGABC Assistant Overnight Sea Kayak Guide
• Wilderness First Aid with CPR-C
• Marine Radio Operator's License
• ACMG Hiking Guide
• Wilderness Awareness School, Kamana Naturalist Training Level 3 and Art of Mentoring
• CASI Level 3 Snowboard Instructor
• Canadian Avalanche Association, Level 1 Ski Operations
• ACMG Top Rope Climbing Instructor

Dillon Horth

During the academic year, Dillon attends St. Andrew's University in Scotland and is working on his degree in medicine. Dillon enjoys coming back home in the summer to see friends, family and of course, to kayak. Dillon likes sports in general but is particularly enthusiastic about soccer, rowing, and kayaking. You'll often spot him running the Holland Creek Trail or racing up to Heart Lake in his leisure time. His competitive years in rowing helped build Dillon's competitive, determined, hardworking spirit and make him a welcome member of the beach team. Dillon organizes beachftont activities and is an Assistant Day Guide.

Certifications:

• St. John's First Aid
• Year 2 Medical School Training
• Level 1 Sea Kayaking
• Serving It Right
• 2 Silver Medals at Canadian National Rowing Championships