Adam Wathier

he/him

Crew

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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.

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.

Nick Huebert

he/him

Crew

Originally from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Nick began his career as an electrician. In 2020, he ventured into the tourism industry and quickly realized his passion for guiding. After spending a winter at a guiding college in Vancouver, Nick transitioned to becoming a whitewater rafting guide in Squamish. Three years later, seeking a new challenge, he joined the Bluewater crew. He started by assisting with winter maintenance before stepping into the role of mate in 2024.


Nick brings a diverse range of skills and experiences to the team. His background includes an internship at an aquarium, sailing on tall ships, rowing the Grand Canyon, and even climbing the tallest Mayan pyramid.

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. 

Carly Anne Mersereau

she/her

Chef

Carly followed her love of bread and butter to France, where she trained and apprenticed as a pastry chef.  She cut her teeth in the bakeries of Toronto before spending a decade wrangling cows and vegetables on a small Cortes Island farm.  Ever-enthusiastic about feeding folks nutritious, seasonal fare, Carly is delighted to join Bluewater in their coastal adventures.  When not cooking on board, you’ll find her slinging sourdough in Vancouver.

Carmen Daigle

she/her

Chef

Claude Boucher

she/her

Chef

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.

Jeff Brandt

he/him

Chef

Moving to Toronto after highschool, Jefffound a job washing dishes in a small Italian restaurant. The restaurant did well and Jeff loved the work, the new skills he practiced, the good food, and the “family” of the kitchen. Jeff has been the chef in kitchens in Toronto, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan Valley, always striving for rich flavours from the best ingredients found locally.

Jeff lives in Winnipeg with his wife Michelle, where he instructs culinary arts at Red River Polytechnic. Jeff is honoured to share and facilitate learning for another generation of cooks and chefs.

Working for Bluewater Adventures marks Jeff’s third time cooking along the Pacific north coast. Jeff spent a full season at a floating eco-lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest. Hardly a coffee break went by without an amazing moment in the natural world around us. Jeff is excited about more adventures in this beautiful, wild part of the world and contributing to the memorable experiences of our guests through good food.

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.

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.

Leroy Lopes

he/him

Chef

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.

Anne Stewart

(she/her)

naturalist

Anne, a naturalist raised on the Salish Sea in the land of the K’omox First Nation, boasts a diverse education and career. Her expertise in marine ecology (B.Sc.) and environmental education (M.A.) is backed by extensive fieldwork. Initially, she thrived as a scientific diver, exploring the BC Coast and eastern Arctic while contributing to marine biology research at institutions like the Royal BC Museum. Her publications span topics from sea otter ecology to ocean literacy.

Transitioning to a people-focused role, Anne interpreted marine and coastal ecology, while still contributing to scientific publications. Her dedication to science education shone through her work with the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society, where her program earned the Michael Smith Award and NSERC PromoScience Awards.

Drawn to Haida Gwaii in the 1970s, Anne has extensively explored the archipelago as a biologist, diver, and naturalist. She holds deep admiration for the place and its people. Beyond her scientific pursuits, Anne is an amateur artist who captures the beauty of the coast in her watercolors. A long-time resident of Bamfield, BC, she is grateful to the Huu-ay-aht First Nations for sharing their land and remains committed to sharing her coastal knowledge and passion with others.

Catherine Jardine

(she/her)

naturalist

Catherine is the Associate Director for Data Science and Technology at Birds Canada. Her work is focused on supporting hundreds of research and monitoring projects investigating the ecology, distribution and population dynamics of all bird species through two main platforms; NatureCounts (naturecounts.ca) and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (motus.org).
Catherine also enjoys leaving her desk! She has worked in BC’s largest seabird colony studying Rhinoceros Auklets and Tufted Puffins and participated in the 2020 and 2021 BC Marine Debris Removal Initiatives. She started working as a wildlife guide in Antarctica in 2014 and joined the Bluewater crew in 2018. Catherine loves guiding, especially in the Pacific Northwest, as a means to connect with the wildlife, habitats and people that fuel her passion for conservation. She loves to discuss amazing adaptations found in the natural world, conservation issues facing us all and solutions we can contribute to.

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.

Ian Thomas

(he/him)

naturalist

Born in Vancouver, Ian has a lifelong passion for the ecosystems and wildlife of the coastal rainforest. A biologist by training, Ian received his Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Windsor in Ontario. A biologist by training, Ian received his Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Windsor in Ontario. Ian’s work as a wildlife biologist has taken him to wild places across Canada. From the depths of BC’s Great Bear Rainforest to the boreal forests of Saskatchewan; to Seabird Island in the Maritimes, to the cloud forests of South America, and to far-flung islands in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, these journeys have instilled in him a deep love and reverence for the dwindling wild places of the world. 

Ian is a passionate bird-watcher and naturalist, as well as a fanatical big-tree hunter. He is happiest when thrashing through dense underbrush, scrambling over deadfall, and wading through icy streams in search of scarce groves of undiscovered giants that still survive in the remote corners of coastal BC.

Keith Moore

(he/him)

naturalist

Current LBCS Director, Keith has been a resident of Haida Gwaii for more than 30 years. He is a Registered Professional Forester and has an MA in Geography. Since 2000, Keith has run a consulting business based in Daajing Giids that takes him across Canada and the world to work on forest certification with the Forest Stewardship Council. To date, Keith has been involved in over 50 certification projects in five Canadian provinces and several other countries. 

Keith is also involved in forestry and environmental issues in BC. On Haida Gwaii, these include the campaign to protect the southern part of the islands, the Fish Forestry Interaction Program and the Strategic Land Use Plan. Keith lives with his wife, Helen, and sons Peter and Alan in Daajing Giids and is the current and founding director of the Laskeek Bay Conservation Society.

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

Rob Lott

(he/him)

naturalist

Rob is a Bluewater Naturalist when he is not busy as a marine mammal scientist working with Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the UK. “I feel incredibly privileged and fortunate to work for an organization that campaigns tirelessly for the conservation and welfare of whales, dolphins and porpoises across the world. Working for WDC also gives me the opportunity to travel widely and see these conservation measures in action.”  

Before his work with WDC, he undertook a Master’s degree in Marine Mammal Science. “I have been fortunate enough to watch and photograph wildlife all over the world including Alaska, Antarctica, Australia, Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and the Bay of Biscay. In 2006, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on a charity trek to raise money for an African medical foundation. But it is the ocean that draws me back and the whales and dolphins that call it home. My favourite places on the planet are Northern Vancouver Island, Svalbard and South Georgia.  My current role with WDC includes the Anti-Captivity Campaign and the Orca Programme.”

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.

Stefan Himmer

(he/him)

naturalist

Stefan started his connection with nature at a very early age assisting his father in photographing birds and nature in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. He completed an education in field biology and then studied fish ecosystems in NW Ontario, Nunavut, NWT and BC. In 1990 he started studying grizzly bears in the Khutzeymateen Valley and then moved to Bella Coola where he lived and worked with the grizzlies of the Central and North coasts until 2003. 

He now resides on a biodiverse 29 hectare property with his limnologist wife, Eva Schindler, near Nelson, BC. He continues to assist other biologists with wildlife and fisheries research and management  projects. He uses his experience as a biologist and naturalist in his personal endeavours as well. He has a large food garden, picks wild mushrooms and plants for personal use and commercially, is an avid backcountry skier and hosts large parties with Eva of where he puts on unique pyrotechnical (fire) shows and generally pursues the life well lived.

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.