Dispatch from Vargas Island: Busy Times Ahead

As I write this, I’m tucked into my tent at Janes' Beach on Vargas Island, BC, midway through a 9-day Assistant Overnight Guide course—the foundational certification for aspiring sea kayak guides in the province. With students out across the bay recording the weather and studying for their exams, I’ve finally found a rare pocket of quiet in an otherwise nonstop season. It’s the first real pause I’ve had in months, and it feels like the right moment to share a behind-the-scenes look at what my life as an outdoor educator, sea kayak guide, and expedition leader actually entails. I’m often asked how I make a living doing this—how much I work, where I go, and who I work for. The answer isn’t simple. This lifestyle is the result of nearly a decade of thoughtful decisions, seasonal shifts, and constant recalibration to create a rhythm that keeps me motivated, grounded, and inspired year after year.

My work is distinctly seasonal. In the winter and early spring, I focus on outdoor education (OE). By late spring, I shift into teaching guide training courses. Early summer brings commercial guiding, and I wrap the season with more OE in the early fall. Late fall and early winter are quieter—an ideal time for side projects, website updates, and scheming for the year ahead. Since guiding is a certification-based industry, I also attend several courses, ongoing training sessions, and industry events annually. And, as a self-proclaimed “adventurer,” I aim to complete one large personal expedition per year—plus a few smaller ones.

Back in November, as I began bracing for the slower winter months, two paddling organizations reached out asking me to give back to the community. Within weeks, I was voted onto the board of the BC Marine Trails Network (BCMT)(where I also serve on the Communications Committee) and onto the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC (SKGABC) board as a Member at Large. Since then, I’ve been flexing my policy-writing and Zoom-meeting muscles during monthly calls and committee work.

This year's OE season kicked off in mid-January with downhill ski days and introductory winter camping trips on Vancouver Island. In late February, Sarah—my lovely partner—accepted a job offer as a pilot with Air Tindi in Yellowknife. We spent the first week of March driving north together. Once she got settled, I flew back to Victoria for a Currents Clinic and a Level 1 Guide training course.

April began with a series of flights that took me from Victoria to Valdez, Alaska, where I joined Ken, Matthew, and the “Shifty One” crew for a ski and sail expedition across Prince William Sound. For more on that epic 14-day trip, check out the dedicated blog post. After returning from Alaska, I had a single day at home before heading to Yellowknife to visit Sarah. With much of the winter snow gone, we spent our time hiking and exploring the city under the long spring daylight. I wrapped up the month back in Victoria, teaching an OE program for grade 9 students.

May kicked off with the final days of OE programs on Vancouver Island before transitioning into this guide training course I’m currently teaching. Once we're off the water, Sarah will fly into Victoria for a short visit. Then I’m off to Quadra Island to teach a Paddle Canada Level 2 Skills course, followed by a trip to Vancouver to present “PaddleFest” at Valhalla Pure Outfitters in partnership with BCMT. I’ll be hosting four evening events from the 29th to June 1st.

June is when things really ramp up. I’ll be leading a 19-day sea kayak expedition for a high school OE program, followed by a Paddle Canada Level 2 course in Victoria. Then I hop on a flight to Terrace, BC, to run two Level 1 Skills courses. As it stands, there isn't a single unscheduled day in June.

On July 1st, I head straight from Terrace to Haida Gwaii, where I’ll lead five commercial expeditions through Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. It’s always a privilege to spend time immersed in the natural beauty and cultural depth of the area—dedicating an entire month to expedition life.

August begins with a return to Victoria to teach another Level 2 Skills course, then I’m off to the west coast of Vancouver Island for an Instructional Expedition in Clayoquot Sound. After that, I’ll fly to Yellowknife to be with Sarah and co-lead a sea kayak expedition in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. By then, we hope to be finalizing plans for where we’ll live once I make the move north in the fall.

That brings me to September. I’ll start the month by flying from Yellowknife to Victoria for a short rest before diving into the fall OE season. I’ll be leading two sea kayak trips, a middle school camp, and one final sea kayak trip. The first week of October will mark the end of my season, when I’ll load up my van and make the move to Yellowknife.

All told, in 2025 I’ll be involved in 23 separate instructional and backcountry programs, totalling 149 days. I’ll also lead 18 days of front-country programming and present six expedition-related events and workshops—all within a 285-day working season. While I’m a little sad not to be tackling a long personal expedition this summer, I’ve embraced a new role: expedition cheerleader. Many friends and acquaintances are currently out on (or preparing for) some incredible adventures. I’ve loved - with just a hint of jealousy - getting inReach messages from up and down the coast, and have had some great phone calls helping folks prepare for their journeys. If you’re looking for a good one to follow, check out “The Passage Paddlers” as they make their way from Port Hardy to Juneau via the Inside Passage.

This lifestyle didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of nearly a decade of trial, error, and intentional choices. I've pieced together a rhythm that blends education, adventure, community involvement, and personal exploration in a way that keeps me motivated and deeply fulfilled. It’s not always easy—there are long days, tight travel turnarounds, and missed birthdays—but for me, the trade-offs are worth it.

If you're someone who's curious about building a lifestyle around the outdoors, education, or guiding, know that it’s possible with patience, persistence, and community. You don’t have to follow a traditional path to find meaningful work—or meaningful rest. There’s room in this industry for a range of voices, skills, and approaches, and it’s evolving in exciting ways.

Whether you're an aspiring guide, a student, a fellow educator, or just someone who loves wild places, I’d love to connect. Follow along, reach out, ask questions, or join an upcoming workshop or expedition. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned—and learn from others.