Guides

Living along the Nith River itself, Mike Lynne-Davies is very familiar with the ways of th eriver. A certified lifeguard, a competitive swimmer, and a math and business student at the University of Waterloo, certified in OCKA training, Mike more than qualified as a guide.

Garry Kent

Garry Kent; If you decide to take our Cayuga Run, you’ll have a good chance of running into him. His tireless dedication to shuttling customers from Brant Park, our second location, up here to the Paris shop three or four times a day, leaves us winded. Customers spending evenings at Brant Park could be in for a treat if they end up around Garry’s campfire after a busy day of paddling. Enjoying a soda or two and swapping stories around the dying embers. The perfect end to a perfect day. Thanks Garry!

Nicola Gilman

Nicola Gilman runs the front lines of Grand Experiences. It is her that you would most likely talk to your first time contacting us. She is kind, courteous and knowledgeable in all that we do here at the shop. Nicki was the recipient of the 2006 Shining Star Award for Customer Service in the Tourism Industry, making us all proud here at the shop. She maintains order around the store and watches over us all. A competitive skater, snowboarder and natural athlete, Nicki is ORCKA certified. She is also heck of a paddler. You’ll often find Nicky winding down from the office by paddling down the river after work or on her days off.

Erica Dudszus

Erica Dudszus - With a degree in literature from McGill, Erica brings a wealth of non-traditional knowledge to guiding. Bus driver, published poet, as well as a seasoned Katimavik leader and camp counselor, Erica was instrumental in last years ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ program. Having a year of paddling on Lake Superior under her belt, Erica knows her way in the outdoors. ORCKA certified.

Darren Harding

Darren Harding is another guide that has been contributing to Grand Experiences shop for 5 years or more. He is ORCKA certified. A great story teller and guide, Darren is requested quite often by customers that have had the pleasure of tripping down the Grand or Nith rivers with him. Holding a degree in Biology, Darren knows his stuff.

Jamie 'Scuba' Seamone

Jamie 'Scuba' Seamone is on his third season with Grand Experiences, and is a certified kayak instructor. At 6’ 2” and change, Scuba is a stretch as a guide. This strapping addition to the Grand Experiences team has paddled across this wide country; British Columbia, Alberta, Eastern Ontario, and countless times on the Grand River itself. Scuba’s awesome sense of humor, experience wilderness tripping, and paddling-general-know-how make him a fantastic guide. ORCKA certified

Jamie Kent

Jamie Kent is the owner of Grand Experiences. He has paddled in two oceans, a couple of seas, and a whole pile of rivers & lakes. Having guided in exotic places like Mexico and Key West, Jamie decided to bring his love for the outdoors, and guiding, home to Ontario. He is a ‘jack of all trades’ and it wouldn’t be uncommon to see him change the brakes in one of our vans, instruct an ORCKA course, then fix the wireless network in the Grand Experiences computer system, all in one day. He is a guide, driven by customer service, and one of the most knowledgeable men in the Grand River Valley when it comes to history, flora and fauna. A guided trip by Jamie Kent is truly a ‘Grand Experience’.

Allison Stone

Allison Stone is one of our part-time guides, her specialty being our three day guided Haliburton trip. She takes the stress and hassle of cooking, finding camp and setting up off of the customers, and she will clean your fish for you too. Our lake loop was designed by her and she can tell you where the fish might be caught, good pictures may be taken, and most importantly when dinner will be ready!

Will Tasker

Will Tasker is one of our long standing guides here at Grand Experiences. Few people can run the Grand River like Will. His expertise in reading the river and his great paddling intuition can make the difference between an awesome trip down the river and a soggy one. Will is an ORCKA certified canoe and kayak instructor here at Grand Experiences and anyone looking to brush up on their paddling skills would benefit from a paddle down the river with him. Will is also one of our whitewater Nith River raft guides. Looking for a bit of adventure? Will is your man.

When it comes to nature and wildlife, Rob Carr is your guy. He's an avid fisher and hunter, and a current student at Fleming College in the Fish and Wildlife program. Rob has also previously worked at the Ministry< of Natural Resources. Naturally, Rob knows the animals and plant life of the area unlike any other guide. ORCKA certified.

Jeff Vallery is the handy-man here at Grand Experiences. The unofficial 'shop mechanic', you can be sure to find Jeff outback fixing or repairing boats and vehicles when he's no on the river. As a camp counsellor at the YMCA for five years, Jeff is qualified in working with youth. Jeff also enjoys taking in the wilderness on his camping trips up North every summer.

Kira Metselaar is our fitness and health girl. Kira is a graduate of the Recreation & Leisure program at Fanshawe College, and is currently studying to becaome a certified personal trainer. Having worked at Long Point Provincial Park and Glen Eden Ski Hill, she has plenty of outdoor experience. When she's not on the river, Kira enjoys fishing, camping, and hiking.

Matt Kersten is another one of our good-humored, fun-loving guides here at Grand Experiences. As a Political Science and Philosophy student at Queen's University, with over 14 years of canoe experience, and OCKA and NLS certification, he is as knowledgeable as he is fun. Matt is a former camp counsellor, and loves to play a variety of sports on his days off.