Joe has a strong background in aquatic ecology. He has worked as researcher in a marine lab and taught at both the high school and university levels. He also is trained in first aid and is a certified canoe and kayak instructor.

For 14 years, Joe owned and directed another paddlesports business, eventually selling that operation to spend more time helping others discover the places he loves most.

Lawrence maintains certifications in CPR and Basic First Aid, manages guest registration and coordinates all of our activities on the water.

In addition to his paddling and administrative skills, Lawrence is a talented professional photographer, with wide-ranging expertise, from commercial art to capturing quiet scenes in nature.

A designer originally from New Zealand, Monique de Latour teaches high school art, loves staying fit and, after spending 10 years in New York City, enjoys nature at any possible time — and exposing others to the beauty of it.

In addition to her teaching and guiding responsibilities, Monique runs a small art gallery in the Village of Glencoe, where she specializes in textile design, combining her interest in nature with her art.

Her experience as a teacher and guide includes canoe and camping instruction at summer camps, guiding unsuspecting tourists through the alligator-infested Honey Island Swamps at midnight and demonstrating how to safely rescue camping gear when your canoe swamps on the Buffalo River.

Returning to her river rat roots, Casey is especially excited about introducing new folks to the beauty and fun of paddling the Haw. She is, by the way, certified by the American Red Cross in first aid and lifesaving.

Perhaps its because the Greenville, S.C., native enjoys sharing what he, himself, has found worth experiencing — spending time in nature — or because he has become respected for his insatiable appetite for rescuing stranded paddlers.

As Jake continues his paramedics studies at Alamance Community College near Burlington, he hopes to strike a critical balance between his dual interests in healthcare and wilderness adventure.

In 2007, Matt led a thru-paddle down the Haw River to promote the river's recreational potential for Elon University and to celebrate the strides made by the Haw River Assembly. Now he serves on the Haw River Assembly Board.

Matt is a certified Wilderness First Aid Responder (WFR) by the National Outdoor Leadership Schools and a former head lifeguard. He currently teaches social studies and canoeing in the Hawbridge Charter High School in Saxapahaw and fishes commercially in the summer for Alaskan salmon.

Since beginning his paddling career in 1997, Craig has received instructor training and awards from the British Canoe Union, the governing body of paddlesports in the United Kingdom, and additional training from the American Canoe Association.

Craig enjoys seeing people smile when they discover how easy it can be to learn new paddling skills, and he finds it equally rewarding to help people discover the Haw River. "From the still lakes, to the winding river, to the whitewater," he says, "it's a great river to just spend a day on relaxing and enjoying life."