Click on a Guides profile to learn more about them.
Pete Shuttleworth
Pete Shuttleworth is one of our more ‘seasoned’ guides. ORCKA certified, he has guided in places like Algonquin Park and Killarney, and is a welcome addition to the Grand Experiences team. ‘Killarney Pete’ (as he is affectionately known here at the shop) has tripped across India on the back of his very own camel, taught English in Korea, and hitch-hiked across the vast expanse of Alaska. He is an accomplished cross-country skier and snowshoe guide, and is an asset to the Grand Experiences winter program. Always full of tips, Pete is ready to help you out if you wander from your path.
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Tim 'Skippy' Robinson
Tim 'Skippy' Robinson is a friendly, outgoing guide who is always a pleasure to be around. He can make the most out of a grey, wet day with his contagious smile and funny stories. He is knowledgeable about area plants and wildlife and his History degree comes in handy for those looking for tales about the area in and around the Grand River Valley. With other degrees in Theology plus a Masters, Tim is the intellectual in the group. This, along with Tim’s past experiences as a camp counselor and fine paddling skills give him a great advantage as a teacher for our Grand Experiences customers. Tim is ORCKA certified.
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Emily Adamson
Emily Adamson is our outdoor diva. She is certified in first aid and CPR at the instructor level, ORCKA kayaking at the instructor level, sea kayaking, canoeing - both moving water and lake, and she is a rock climbing instructor. Emily is wilderness survival certified, pleasure craft operator certified, and smart serve certified. She is just another example of Grand Experiences’ ongoing philosophy that great guides make happy customers, and Emily is one fantastic guide, holding a degree in outdoor adventure leadership from Laurentian University.
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Coire Kent
Coire Kent has been with us here at Grand Experiences for about seven years now and we’ve watched him grow up, and up, and up. Coire’s personal quest for physical greatness makes him like a guide and personal trainer in one. He is able to push customers into giving 110%, achieving goals they sometimes didn’t know they were capable of. He is one of our exclusive ‘Moonlight Paddle’ guides and a master at handling the 12-person voyager canoes we have here at Grand Experiences. Coire also holds the record at Grand Experiences for having lifted the most canoes in the shortest time. ORCKA certified.
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Colin Everett
Colin Everett or ‘Captain Jack’ to those who really know him, is a Renaissance man. Professional Photographer, Paddler, Fishing Guide and Paddle Maker are just a few of his accomplishments. ORCKA certification and Swift Water Rescue training are a couple more. Always looking for a challenge and adventure with a smile on his face, Colin is a real people person and a fun guide to paddle with. He is our main fishing guide and runs our paddle making workshops. He was born and raised in Paris and has spent most of his life on, in, or around the Grand River. If you have a camera, bring it with you and Colin will show you how to target that timeless shot of the Grand River Valley. |
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’. |
Tony Decicco
Tony Decicco is one of the latest paddlers to join the Grand Experiences team. His sharp eyes are able to pick out local wildlife along the banks of the Grand River that customers might miss. He has an uncanny way with mechanics and helps keep our fleet of vehicles going. Tony is feared by bass, the Grand over. |
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! |
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. |
Of course threre is always more staff coming onboard as the summer approaches... all with different jobs to keep the ship afloat... we will keep you posted as they come aboard!
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