Josh Bannister

he/him

Crew

Josh is passionate about activism and protecting the natural environment. He has volunteered and worked with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) protecting endangered marine species. He grew up on the coastal water of BC and lived aboard for years on his sailboat. On weekends you can find him hiking, sailing, surfing or volunteering. Josh is excited to bring his marine knowledge and experience to Bluewater Adventures.

Kris Korol

he/him

Crew

Kristoffer Korol was raised in the sunny Okanagan; however, by the time he moved to Victoria for university, he had fallen helplessly in love with being endlessly wet, cold, and on the water. Working as a commercial diver for over 20 years, much of his coastal experience comes from conducting herring roe surveys along the coast, as well as salvage work and scraping barnacles off underwater infrastructure from Sooke to Klemtu.

He also works as a kayak guide in polar regions, partaking in expeditions across Arctic Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, and Antarctica (though his heart is always in British Columbia!). He has owned—and at times lived aboard—his own sailboat for over a decade, shaping a deep and practical connection to life at sea.

Kristoffer is endlessly inspired by the Pacific Northwest, from the wildlife above and below the surface to the shifting colours of its landscapes. His goal is to take his work seriously without taking himself too seriously, and he is genuinely excited to share his love of this place with anyone willing to get a little wet and cold alongside him.

Mark Drozda

he/him

MATE

Growing up in the prairies with a father who loved and dreamed about sailing gave him the enjoyment of spending time on the water. While working in the IT industry many of his winter holidays were spent sailing in Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean. In 2008, he took the leap and moved West to be closer to the water and to mess around on boats with a job as a service manager for a charter boat company. He started working for Bluewater Adventures in 2017. During his down time, you can find him at the Jericho Sailing Center sailing boats and paddling kayaks.

Quinn Kuschel-Ross

he/him

Crew

Stephen Feng

he/him

Crew

Stephen is a naturalist from the West Coast of Canada. With a degree in marine biology and a captain’s license, he has spent nearly a decade guiding, studying, and navigating the waters of British Columbia and beyond. His deep knowledge of marine ecosystems, combined with a passion for ecotourism, allows him to connect travelers with the wildlife and landscapes of coastal British Columbia.

From researching whales off California to lecturing about seabirds in Antarctica, Stephen thrives on sharing the wonders of the natural world. He has a deep appreciation for exploring the intertidal zones of remote shorelines and believes that meaningful experiences in nature foster a greater appreciation for conservation and stewardship.

When he’s not guiding, Stephen continues to seek new ways to connect with the environment. He enjoys foraging, photography, and exploring the mountains.

Theo Deligneries

he/him

Crew

Originally from the Falkland Islands, Theo grew up sailing on a charter boat in the South Atlantic and herding sheep on his family’s farm. After moving to northern British Columbia to pursue a university education, he has worked as a whitewater raft guide and wildland firefighter before joining Bluewater as a mate and winter maintenance team member.
Theo considers himself lucky to have been involved in various boat-access projects such as bird and plant surveys, eradicating rats from small islands and large-scale marine debris removal. During his time off, Theo enjoys kayaking, sailing, and backcountry skiing with his friends. 

Claude Boucher

she/her

Chef

Claude is  a cook, mountain goat and nature lover extraordinaire! When not at work she can be found in the Kootenays, gardening or hiking, or somewhere around the world. Her cooking career started in 1994.  She has worked for Bluewater Adventures on and off since 2015.

Emma Richmond

she/her

Chef

Born on the east coast of Australia, Emma has always had a strong connection to the ocean. Currently residing in Tofino, she was drawn to the Pacific North Coast due to its untamed oceans, wild shores, and diverse ecosystem. She has been working as a cook and more recently a pastry chef for 10 years and in this time has been drawn to experiences that help her gain deeper knowledge about life in and around the ocean and the multitude of ways that we humans connect with it. This journey pushes her to find new and creative ways to use sustainably sourced seafood (and plant-based) ingredients in her cooking, while always keeping in mind how we can contribute to the oceans’ future existence.

Josef Mitteregger

he/him

Chef

Born and raised in the Austrian Alps, Josef found his passion for food, adventure and tourism at a young age. Josef crafted his Chef skills while working in Norway, Switzerland and onboard Crystal Cruises for many years.

Since 2018, I have been living in British Columbia and love to enjoy the amazing outdoors with his family. Currently they are calling the Sunshine Coast home, and love enjoying all that the coast has to offer.

Kevin Stuermer

he/him

Chef

Kevin is an adventurer by heart and has spends his time travelling as much as he can. He just returned from spending the summer in Antarctica and made it all the way to the south pole. He is from Hamilton, Ontario where he owns/operates a manufacturing and distribution company and has been a professional chef for over 20 years, working in many countries including Netherlands, Hungary, Mexico, and USA.

Lena Bradsen

she/her

Chef

Lena was born and raised in British Columbia, spending her time in the mountains snowboarding and cooking at various heli-skiing and cat-skiing operations, before moving to Vancouver Island. 

After running a successful catering company, it was time for more adventure. She worked as a Chef at Grizzly Bear, Wilderness, and Fishing Lodges along the west coast of BC. In the winter, she cooks for surf and yoga retreats in Costa Rica.

She is excited to get back to Haida Gwaii and the Great Bear Rainforest this upcoming season with Bluewater Adventures.

Shawn Dutka

he/him

Chef

Shawn grew up in Winnipeg and has spent the past fifteen years cooking in a wide variety of kitchens, from feeding hungry dancers at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to cooking at the remote Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario. Somewhere along the way he discovered that the best meals are usually the simplest ones—good ingredients, a bit of care, and a table full of people who’ve spent the day outside.

When he’s not in the galley, Shawn is usually exploring somewhere on two wheels or two feet, cycling, hiking, kayaking, or poking around local markets in search of good coffee and something interesting to cook next. He’s happiest where good food and wild places meet, and is thrilled to be sharing both along the coast with Bluewater Adventures.

Vickie Forster

she/her

Chef

Vickie is never far from the ocean. She grew by the shore on both the east and west coasts of Canada, and began sailing as a child on her family’s small sailboat. She lives in the Gulf Islands, where she loves gardening and foraging for food. Her cooking career includes being a camp cook,  pastry chef training, private catering, and cooking in small restaurants. Vickie joined the crew in 2024 and found that her diverse cooking skills, love of the west coast, and “sure we can do that” attitude fit Bluewater Adventures’ style perfectly.

Alison Thieffry

(she/her)

naturalist

Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Alison moved to Canada to pursue her Master’s in Geography from Laval University in Québec. She then moved out west, where she now calls Vancouver Island home. Alison has been an expedition guide in the Polar Regions, Alaska, and coastal BC since 2018. She has also been involved in a nonprofit organization working on research, conservation, and education projects, focusing on the effect of marine traffic on marine mammals in BC waters. She shares her passion of the marine ecosystem through film photography and water coloring.  When she is not working, Alison enjoys hiking, skiing, and adventuring on and in the water.

Andrew MacDonald

(he/him)

naturalist

Sustainability, conservation and nature have been key themes throughout Andrew’s life. He is an avid artist, photographer and writer, and frequently weaves his illustrations into his naturalist presentations. He has used those skills to protect hundreds of hectares of conservation lands in British Columbia and secure funding for species at risk research and ecological restoration as an advocate, grant writer, environmental educator and conservation manager. While earning a Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing & Art History, with a focus on the art of Coastal First Nations, he paid his way by cooking at BC Coastal fishing resorts, and remains on standby to help out in the galley. Birds have always been his gateway into nature, but he’s just as happy looking at the smallest tidepool, the biggest tree, and everything in between. When he’s not on board, he runs his own salvage-design-build company on Vancouver Island, where he lives with his wife and keeps tabs on his two adult children.

Grant MacHutchon

(he/him)

naturalist

Grant MacHutchon is a wildlife biologist and naturalist based in British Columbia’s Kootenay Region where he lives with his wife and daughter. Grant has done research/management work with numerous species throughout western Canada for over 30 years, but most of his professional career has been working with grizzly and black bears. Grant has particular expertise in the areas of population biology, habitat ecology, classification and mapping, and bear and human interaction management.

When Grant is not working with wildlife, he fills his time with training bear viewing guides for the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC, for whom he developed the core curriculum. He is also the Vice President for the NPO, the Safety in Bear Country Society focused on bear/human interactions and safety.

Lily Campbell

(she/her)

naturalist

Lily grew up on Vancouver Island and visited Goldstream Provincial Park every year as a child to see the salmon spawn. Such childhood explorations built the foundation for an interest in natural history, and led her to pursue both a Bachelor and Master of Science in marine biology and ecology from the University of Victoria. Her education furthered her love for our coastal ecosystems, with a particular passion for the critical role of salmon in the riparian zone. As an ecologist, naturalist, and wildlife photographer, she is often traveling and exploring British Columbia’s coast, and her dog Keta (as in Oncorhynchus keta) accompanies her on her adventures whenever possible. A keen hiker, skier, and cyclist, she is also taking this summer for her first foray into the art of racing her various bikes.

She would like it on the official record that contrary to popular belief, she does also know how to sit down and relax, and is an avid knitter.

Lianne Thompson

(she/her)

naturalist

Lianne is a wildlife biologist, expedition guide, and photographer with a passion for exploring remote ecosystems. With extensive experience in the polar regions, Great Bear Rainforest, and Canadian Rockies, she has guided trips focused on bears, whales, birds, and the intricate connections between marine and terrestrial life. Her background in zoology and science communication fuels her dedication to conservation and sharing the stories of the wild places she works in. Lianne loves offering insights into animal behaviour while helping guests capture compelling images that tell meaningful conservation stories. She is thrilled to be part of the Bluewater team, guiding in one of her favourite ecosystems and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the natural world. When not leading expeditions, Lianne lives in interior British Columbia, where she can often be found hiking, camping, or photographing wildlife in the mountains.

Liron Gerstman

(he/him)

naturalist

Liron has been observing and photographing the natural world continuously since he first got his hands on a borrowed camera and pair of binoculars at the age of five. His work has been experienced by millions in some of the largest museums across the world, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Liron uses his photography and tours to educate on the importance of preserving and protecting the natural world for the continued health and existence of all who live on our planet. 

As a naturalist and photographer, he feels it is his duty to show people the essence of Earth, by thinking outside the box to create eye-catching images and unique experiences that connect people with nature. Liron’s work has been widely recognized and awarded, sweeping the professional category of the 2022 Audubon Photography Awards among others. Liron uses his intimate knowledge of British Columbia’s bird, wildlife and photography hotspots to craft the best experiences possible. Liron has ornithological training from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, and has a biology degree from the University of British Columbia.

Linda Tollas

(she/her)

Haida cultural interpreter

Linda Tollas (Gaajiiaawa) is of the Skedans Ravens clan and lives in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii with her husband, Stephen. She is a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to two sons, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Aside from a 25 year period, Linda has lived her whole life on Haida Gwaii. She and her husband returned in 1997. They spent two summers as Watchmen, protecting and educating visitors about her ancestral village of Skedans. Her passion for learning and her communication skills made her a natural Cultural Heritage Interpreter. She worked for 14 years in this capacity with Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site educating diverse audiences about Haida Culture & Ethnobotany.

Linda has also served as a local educator to university students from across Canada enrolled in the Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society Semester Program since its inception in 2010. Her enthusiasm about cedar, ethnobotany and Haida culture, and her engaging approach have always made her guided hikes of Spirit Lake a favourite of the semester.

A highlight of her career with Gwaii Haanas was accompanying the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program (SHIP) elders as they circumnavigated Moresby Island for their Haida place-naming project. Inspired with SHIP’s work, Linda retired from Gwaii Haanas in 2012 and joined SHIP to learn the Haida language.

Paula Varnell

(she/her)

resource guide

Check back to learn more about Paula Varnell

Robert & Terri-Lynn Davidson

resource guides

Check back to learn more about Robert & Terri-Lynn Davidson

Sabine Moll

(she/her)

naturalist

Sabina grew up in the mountainous south of Germany, always outside in nature. She knew early on that she wanted to contribute to conservation and so she decided to get a Master’s degree in biology and work in conservation projects in Africa and the Amazon. Her quest for wilderness and untouched nature eventually led her to the West coast of British Columbia where she started working as a wilderness and bear guide in 2017. Years of being around and studying bears on this beautiful coast have only increased her fascination for them, but also all other animals and plants. This is what brought her to Bluewater Adventures, where she gets to contribute to the protection of the coastal ecosystems by sharing her knowledge and passion with travelers from all over the world. When she is not out working as a naturalist and guide, you can likely still find her in the same places, photographing wildlife, kayaking, hiking and climbing mountains.

Sharon Kay

(she/her)

naturalist

Sharon is all about exploring the coast while connecting with people and laughing a whole lot along the way. She has been working on the water as a wildlife guide and research scientist for the past 9 years. Sharon worked for many years as a whale watching guide around Vancouver Island and developed a healthy obsession for the giants of our waters. Her research interests have been ever changing, starting with her work as a disease ecologist studying sea stars and the intertidal life of the B.C. coast. 

Sharon now works in ocean conservation monitoring the health of BC’s killer whales and humpbacks, using drone-based photography. She is working towards her Master’s degree, researching prey sharing behaviour and social systems of killer whales. In between research and adventures on the water, Sharon can be found at local markets where she runs her own painting and photography business, Sharon Kay Art.

Cathy Burke

she/her

Accounting

Cathy spent her youth on the Eastern Shores of the United States. It was here she developed a love for sailing, the ocean and the wilderness. She was an Outward Bound sailing instructor in Maine and then joined the crew aboard the tallship Sea Cloud and sailed the high seas for many months. Cathy also has a degree in Landscape Architecture. In her time away from managing the company books, she is managing her family of four and energetic dog, Merlin.

Erin Boyle

she/her

Marketing & Travel Trade

Joining us in June 2009, Erin brought with her a fondness for the BC Coast, a passion for travel, and a love for the outdoors. She combines years of experience in hospitality with her degree in Marketing with the hopes of providing Bluewater guests an amazing travel experience from start to finish. Erin loves critters, great and small, skiing, foraging, cooking, music and adventuring in general.

Heather Burke

she/her

Client Care

Heather did her first Bluewater trip at 5 months old and subsequently grew up onboard Island Roamer and Island Odyssey. She returned to Vancouver and joined the Bluewater Adventures team in 2017 after completing her Bachelors of Science degree at McGill University. She has a passion for wildlife, history, and exploring. When not working or travelling she is adventuring locally, watching reality TV, or entertaining her cat, Clooney.

Holly Campbell

she/her

Logistics Coordinator

Holly is thrilled to be joining the Bluewater Adventures team in the spring of 2021! Holly has worked in the outdoor industry for a little over a decade as an outdoor education instructor through the spring, fall, and winter seasons in the Algonquin Highlands, a whitewater canoe guide leading multi-day trips through Ontario and Quebec, and as a program manager striving to make nature and outdoor recreation accessible for all while working at CNIB Lake Joe and the Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes. Holly’s hope is that Bluewater Adventures trips can expose more people to the natural world which may inspire stewardship and connection with our beautiful coast. When not making Excel sheets in the office, Holly can be found skiing, biking, hiking, gardening, petting every dog she walks past, and chasing her toddler, Max, around the forest.