David Pinel
Coordinator, Faculty
Continuing Ed & Training, Tourism & Hospitality Mgmt
M.Sc., Rural Planning & Development (University of Guelph, 1998)
Subjects: Nautical, Tourism Adventure Guiding, Tourism & Hospitality Mgmt
Gregg Cormie
Faculty
Continuing Education, Tourism & Hospitality Mgmt
Bachelor of Arts in Sport, Health, and Phyiscal Education (Vancouver Island University, 2011)
Masters of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication (Royal Roads University, 2013)
Subjects: Tourism Adventure Guiding
Harley Elias
Faculty
Business Administration, Tourism & Hospitality Mgmt
MBA, Strategic Planning and Marketing (University of Washington)
Subjects: Business, Tourism & Hospitality Mgmt
Sessional faculty
Laurel Archer
Laurel is a Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC Guide Examiner with a Class 4 Waters Endorsement, Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayak Instructor, Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer in Moving Water Canoe, Lake Canoe and Camping, Recreational Canoe Association of BC Master Instructor, Canadian Power and Sail Squadron ROC (Maritime) Examiner, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and PADI Open Water Diver.
Laurel has paddled waterways from Central America to Asia and the South Pacific, including competing in some of the most challenging canoe and kayak races in the world. Besides writing a thesis for her Masters degree in Distance Education, she’s penned three guidebooks based on her extensive experiences exploring and guiding on rivers in northern Saskatchewan and British Columbia, as well as published numerous articles, short stories, and poems. Laurel is a member of the International Explorers Club and Royal Canadian Geographical Society, inducted for her work in documenting historic and lesser-known waterways and her efforts to promote their conservation.
Faroe Des Roches
Raised off the sea air and rain of coastal BC, Faroe’s paddling career really began in a Klepper, asleep between her parents' legs. She began instructing sea kayaking in 2005 with Ecomarine Paddlesports Centres. In 2010, Faroe undertook her first major sea kayak expedition, the Pipedreams Project, paddling two months down the BC coast, which included co-directing and co-producing an award-winning short film by the same name. She caught the expedition fever and began working for NOLS in 2013, leading month-long paddling trips in BC, Alaska, Baja California and Patagonia.
Faroe is a Paddle Canada Level 2 Instructor and Level 1 Instructor Trainer with Level 4 skills, plus a SKGABC Level 3 Guide currently completing her Guide Trainer certification. With the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) she is also a Sea Kayak Course Leader, Master Educator for Leave No Trace, and a Registered Examiner for VHF Maritime Radio. Faroe’s thorough and accessible teaching style is appreciated by her students in training programs through SKILS, NOLS and North Island College.
Dave Prothero
For Dave, growing up on Vancouver Island meant many weekends were spent in a canoe exploring lakes and areas of the North Island. His first introduction to whitewater came during a 3 month stay at a mountaineering school in the Canadian Rockies with a company called Yamnuska. This led to a 2-month excursion to Nepal and his first rafting trip, 5 days on the Kali Gandaki River. This followed by another 5-day trip on the Jarbridge/ Bruneau Rivers in Idaho. This led to the start of a guiding career that allowed Dave to work across Canada, Australia, NZ, Iceland, Scotland, England, Honduras, India, Morocco, Turkey, and Chile, and guiding in the North of Canada.
Dave instructs across many programs, including the COLT Program at Strathcona Park Lodge, and various School District outdoor adventures. We’re grateful that Dave is part of our River Rafting team, while also supporting our overarching objectives around well-rounded and professional guides – students appreciate his understated manner, passion for paddling, and skilled instruction. Dave is otherwise a professional photographer and works in health care – multi-talented!
Scott Wallace
Scott offers AG students a wealth of marine biology knowledge, practical naturalist experience, tools for crafting effective interpretive programs, and an unmatched understanding of complex topics in coastal conservation and stewardship. He is a PhD Marine Biologist, and respected across government, non-profit, and industry sectors. And he’s fun!
Scott works as a guide naturalist with Outer Shores Expeditions and has also worked internationally. He has previously taught at the School for Field Studies and Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre. Every fall he teaches with UBC’s Haida Gwaii Institute. He has a passion for field-based teaching – shedding light on the issues, creatures, and voiceless features.
Scott’s curiosity and sense of humour help to make him a great role model for thinking and talking through complex resource stewardship issues and solutions while keeping a healthy perspective. Most of the year, when not teaching or working as a naturalist Scott is employed as a Senior Research Scientist with David Suzuki Foundation.
