Damon Stapinsky

As a full time resident of Quadra, Damon has a passion to be in, on or around water at all times. And if living on a small Island wasn’t close enough to the water, he is currently restoring a 45’ boat for he and his partner to live on. Damon has vast array of past guiding experience: from dog sledding to whitewater canoeing, kayaking and rafting to sea kayaking within Canada’s vast wilderness. He is also a graduate of Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure Program. As the manager and lead expedition guide of Coastal Spirits, Damon looks forward to another season of guiding, cooking, building fires and making your experience in the Pacific Northwest one you will never forget. See you on the water.

Collin Staples

Hailing from Niagara, Collin grew up canoeing and kayaking Lake Ontario and the surrounding areas. As his interest for the sport grew, he was fortunate enough to paddle and guide many of the recognized rivers within Canada and the USA. In his desire to become a certified sea kayak guide, he furthered his knowledge & experience within the industry graduating from the Outdoor Adventure program, at Algonquin College. As kayaking the Discovery Islands and Johnstone Strait has so much to offer, he’s looking forward to another season with Coastal Spirits.

Rob Bender

Rob feels at home exploring the outdoors and enjoying all that the Canadian wilderness has to offer. Much of his guiding experience includes paddling a canoe and kayak on the oceans of British Columbia and on the rivers and lakes of Ontario, as well as exploring the Great Lakes in a sea kayak. When not on the water he also enjoys rock climbing, and spends his winters snow boarding and ice climbing. With his calm and knowledgable personality, Rob looks forward to being back in his kayak guiding many trips among the beautiful scenery of the Discovery Islands, Desolation Sound and Johnstone Strait.

Justin Gaspar

Justin calls Vancouver Island home. Justin received a diploma in Outdoor Adventure from the Algonquin College. He has a passion for the water whether it be on it, in it or under it but has spent the past 6 years working high up in the trees as a Ropes Course Facilitator. Justin is an assistant guide with many hours of experience paddling flat or white water. He is a Swift Water Rescue Technician Level 3, PADI Advanced Open water Diver, Wilderness First Responder and has training in both slope and high angle rescue.

Marcie Trenholm

This is Marcie’s second season lead guiding for Coastal Spirits. Following a two year outdoor adventure program she worked as a kayak guide in Tofino, British Columbia before making the move to Quadra Island. Marcie spends her winters in Golden, British Columbia at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort where she works as a Mountain School Instructor.

Bill Elliot

Bill has been with Coastal Spirits for almost 10 years. A Vancouver Island Native, “Wild” Bill Elliot has spent his life on the water. For the past ten years Bill has been guiding a variety of water and land based activities including sea kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, snorkeling with the salmon and more. Bill an expert in local flora and fauna as well as their first nation uses. He brings an abundance of knowledge, experience and a lot fun to our team.