Scott is a biologist (with a doctorate in molecular biology) and sea kayaker who has explored explored the Atlantic coast by canoe and sea kayak for over two decades.
In the summer of 1980 he circumnavigated the entire coastline of Nova Scotia
in an open canoe, and in 1982 he established Coastal Adventures. He has
written of his experiences extensively in articles for outdoor magazines
and has published Sea Kayaking in Nova Scotia, a detailed route guide (revised
in 2000). He has photographed our coastline extensively and his work has
appeared in several magazines and books depicting the region.Cunningham has also been instrumental in developing sea kayaking standards and has recently developed Canada’s first national sea kayaking program for the Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association . He was the first Senior Instructor Trainer for the CRCA and currently chairs its sea kayaking development committee. He is also a Senior Instructor with the British Canoe Union (5*) and has paddled extensively Germany, France, and Great Britain.
Scott is also an avid naturalist (and co-founder of the Halifax Field Naturalists). His specialty is the mushroom flora of the region.
Gayle Wilson:
Gayle studied fashion design at St. Lawrence College, in Kingston, Ontario
and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of
Art and Design in 1988.
She has worked in costume design at the Stratford Festival Theatre and
Neptune Theatre and from 1989 - 1993 worked in the Textile department
of NSCAD. She has also designed, produced and marketed her own clothing.
Gayle began working with Coastal Adventures full time in 1994, bringing
an artistic bent to complement the science background of her partner.
She is a talented sea kayaker and instructor. attaining BCU Instructor
status (traveling to Jersey, in the Channel Islands) and Instructor Trainer
with the CRCA. She has guided numerous sea kayak tours in Nova Scotia,
PEI, and Newfoundland.
With Coastal Adventures she encourages local schools to introduce young
students to an active life style through kayaking. She has volunteered
her time and offered CA equipment at no cost to this end.
Gayle and Scott live in Tangier with their daughter Sadie, Snowbell the
cat, and Mitzi the dog where they all happily operate Coastal Adventures.
TOUR GUIDES
Alex Embree:
Alex’s interest in people, world politics and geography has lead
him on travels to the former Soviet Union, Japan, India, France and Spain.He
has an insatiable interest in the esoteric about him and if you wish to
know the capital of Brunnei, Alex is your man.His work experiences include
jobs in the oil fields of Alberta, a masonry crew in the south of France,
and a landscaping firm in Nantucket. Although he spent his early years
sailing he took up kayaking when young, and since the age of 17 he has
worked during the summers for Coastal Adventures. He is now our senior
guide. Alex is currently in second year law at Dalhousie University but
he promises not to sue.
Genny Killin: 
Armed with her Certificate of Costume Studies from Dalhousie University,
Genny Killin started her workaday life in the wardrobe departments of
live theatre, doing stints at Neptune, Theatre New Brunswick and the Stratford
Festival.She currently works at the CBC, where she is has been the Senior
Set Decorator on many nationally aired shows such as THEODORE TUGBOAT,
STREET CENTS, and the BETTE MACDONALD SHOW. She also has a BFA in painting
from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Her interest in kayaking
started 12 years ago and she spends much of her free summer time guiding
for Coastal Adventures and collecting valuable paddle points.
Peter Oickle: 
Peter obtained his degree in environmental Planning at NS College of Art
and Design and then worked as a rural and urban planner for the Municipality
of Lunenburg for almost two decades.Following a leave of absence where
he cycled much of New Zealand and Australia, as well as southern Africa,
he changed his career path and founded Atlantic Canada Nature Safaris.
For the past several years he has lead hiking tours throughout Atlantic
Canada and Ireland. His knowledge of the local fauna and flora is in depth,
but is grasp of the art of pun making (the lowest form of humour?) is
astounding. He is also an experienced sea kayaker and trip leader for
Coastal Adventures.
Serge Savard: 
Serge hails from Quebec, where he has been involved in many aspects of
sea kayaking: retail, designing and manufacturing, and outfitting. He
has run sea kayaking tours to Anticosti and even further afield (Fiji
and Alaska).He is also an experienced river canoeist and has organized
and lead numerous trips to northern Quebec (including the George River
into Ungava Bay). He has been instrumental in developing sea kayaking
in his native province and is currently a member of the SK Program Development
Committee of the CRCA (and is a CRCA Senior SK Instructor Trainer). A
not insignificant “atout” is Serge’s flowing locks and
lilting french accent.
Lennon Wilson: 
Lennon came to Coastal Adventures several years as a 14 year old child
labourer (i.e., a dishwasher) and astounded us with is cooking repertoire.
In addition to being an experienced sea kayaker when out on tour he can
prepare superb meals over an open campfires, even under the most adverse
of conditions. He also has an in depth knowledge of the plants and animals
that we will find along this fascinating boundary of land and sea. During
the off season he works with a catering firm in Halifax.
Sean Mahar: 
Starting out as a canoe instructor, Sean saw the light when he took a
sea kayaking course with Coastal Adventures several years ago.He has since
been guiding with us for the summers. Off season he studies International
Development at the University of Toronto and has lived in India. He is
an accomplished base player (and currently learning the banjo) but is
great pride is being on the university Ultimate team (whatever that is).
Sean has this thing for choosing the proper word or phrase and has been
known to help out others when he feels there is a need.
FOOD MANAGER
Cookie Hudson: 
Cookie has been an indispensable part of Coastal Adventures since it’s
inception. In fact, some would say that she really runs the show. While
you can’t determine the weather you can decide what you and your
clients will eat. This is a very important aspect of our business and
Cookie is responsible for purchasing and organizing the food for our tours.
She also is our baker, preparing a marvelous assortment of which cookies,
cakes and breads for us to enjoy when savouring gourmet meals in exotic
campsites.
HELPFUL PEOPLE
In addition to our regular staff we often call on others when we particularly busy. Some will be guides from afar but others will be those whom we affectionately call our “hanger-on's”. These are friends who are good paddlers and who, in exchange for a “free” trip, come along to add both their good nature and humour, as well as their particular expertise. If they did not have “real jobs” these helpful people would also make excellent full time sea kayaking guides.
Darren Brown:
Darren is a trained and experienced adult learner and educator. Born,
raised and residing on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, he is a partner in
the research, writing and training enterprise "Logical Minds".
He has also designed and implemented experiential learning programs and
community building workshops for a variety of clients. Darren has worked
for a wide spectrum of Canadian and International Non-Government Organizations.
He has extensive experience in working effectively in cross-cultural contexts,
particularly in the Middle East. We value Darrens insights into the collective
and at times dysfunctional Coastal Adventures mind.
Colleen MacKinnon:
An avid outdoor enthusiast, she has lived across Canada and traveled extensively
abroad.With a diploma in travel and tourism she has worked in many related
industry fields and is currently completing a degree in Recreation Management
at Acadia University.Having been introduced to sea kayaking while living
on Vancouver Island she took up paddling more extensively upon moving
to the East Coast four years ago. A guide with Coastal she is known for
her charm, amiability, and adventurous spirit. She also has the miraculous
capability of making her hair both straight and curly, which Gayle believes
is one of her best features. Not to mention her extensive repertoire of
tongue tricks and pig noises, a winning combo on any trip.
Roy de Vries:
Roy is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), who has managed
information technology projects around the world. He is active in the
outdoors and, in addition to sea kayaking, he has been playing Ultimate
for 15 years, including the World Club Championships in Scotland in 1999.
Until I met Roy I thought that frisbee was just a backyard or beach pastime
(I still think it is). His other hobbies include wine making, woodworking
and golf. He is also a volunteer leader with Scouts.
Dawne MacLeod:
We sometimes call Dawne our social director, as her good nature and sense
of humour will lift the spirits of the crowd in even the most spiteful
of weather. No need for the other guides to remain awake socializing around
the campfire after a long day kayaking if Dawne is in the picture. Dawne,
who rarely has an unuttered thought is a true delight to have along. In
her real job, Dawne is a high school physical education teacher where
she entertains the class while keeping the educational bureaucracy on
its toes.
Jason MacKinnon:
A member of the Canadian Forces Search and Rescue he is trained in medical
emergency rescue, diving, parachuting, and mountaineering. Originally
from Inverness, Cape Breton he has been posted across Canada and now resides
in Kingston, NS. Having been introduced to sea kayaking while living on
Vancouver Island he took up paddling more extensively upon returning to
Nova Scotia four years ago. A CRCA level I instructor he teaches courses
and assists on trips when not busy rescuing others. His dashing demure
compliments his sense of MacGyver resourcefulness beautifully. Don’t
miss the opportunity to trip with this Cape Breton hidden treasure.
Guest Instructors
Coastal Adventures draws on the expertise of other experienced sea kayakers
and trip leaders to help assist on various courses and tours. Here is
a list of some of those who have worked with us recently (perhaps we will
chat about them in more detail at a later time):
Howard Jeffs: BCU Level 5 Coach, Sea kayak designer
Sports and Activities Safety Officer (Oxford University) BCU
Oisin Hallissey: BCU Level 5 Coach
Head of Canoeing: Northern Ireland Outdoor Centre
Chris Lockyer: BCU Level 4 Coach
Kevin Mansell: BCU Level 5 Coach, Founder:
Jersey Canoe Club
Joe Miller: CRCA Instructor Trainer
Head Instructor: NB Community College Outdoor Program
Jim Price: CRCA Senior Instructor Trainer,
Director: Eastern Edge Outfitters
Andy Stamp: BCU Level 5 Coach
Professor (Marine electronics): University of Plymouth