Our Staff and Friends

David Wells

David was a forester before a sea kayak trip on the Pukaskwa coast inspired him to start Naturally Superior Adventures in 1994. He’s now a Paddle Canada sea kayak & SUP instructor-trainer, ACA level 4 Coach and a BCU 4-star paddler. He’s most happy on the water teaching sea kayaking or kayak surfing.

Renee Fedun

Renee is David’s partner in life. Although the gardens and the environmental side of things on Rock Island are her particular areas of interest, she’s happiest dancing, hiking, canoeing, on a SUP or teaching Yoga. She edits newsletters for FLAP Canada, and the North American Native Plant Society.

Jennifer Upton

First, Jen was a math wiz from the University of Waterloo, then a graduate of the Outdoor Ed program at Lakehead University and then a fully qualified teacher. She’s a highly capable and experienced guide/instructor who especially loves leading our most challenging trips. In her spare time she knits!

Megan Gamble

Megan started with NSA waaaaay back in 2002 guiding, instructing and eventually coordinating trips and administration. After an extended hiatus in central Ontario; she is rejoining the dream team this summer to manage the office chaos. She’s often the voice behind our social media and newsletter and says we can blame the speeling mistakes on her!

Johanna Rowe

Johanna Rowe is a life time Wawa resident and local historian. Her family ties to Michipicoten River and Wawa run deep. Johanna’s favourite past-time is sharing her knowledge on our natural and cultural history and ensuring you experience at least one “Wow! I-never-knew” moment before you leave.

Oliver Roth

Oliver grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, where he graduated with a degree in computer science from the University of Toronto. Wanting to switch from a conventional career, he then pursued the Outdoor Adventure program at Algonquin College. Oliver feels at home when he’s on the water, whether that’s in a kayak, canoe, raft, or on a paddleboard. He likes to learn languages in his spare time, so he might know a little of yours!

Nate Mitchell

Nate is an avid traveler and outdoorsman currently studying Outdoor Adventure Leadership at Laurentian University in Sudbury. The first mountain he ever climbed was Gros Morne in Newfoundland and his latest summit was Mt Temple above Lake Louise. He loves to paddle, hike, climb, and explore and is looking forward to his first summer on Lake Superior!

Joel Cooper

Joel’s a retired Ministry of Natural Resources land planner and long-time resident of Sandy Beach, Michipicoten Bay. He’s our #1 source for weather history and has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining pit toilets on Superior from Pukaskwa to Lake Superior Park. Joel helps us with key vehicle shuttles.

Conor Mihell

Conor’s a highly experienced sea kayak and canoe guide and advanced Paddle Canada sea kayak instructor. Off the water, he’s an outdoor and environmental magazine journalist. His book The Greatest Lake, Stories from Lake Superior’s North Shore, was published by Dundurn in 2012.

Rupert French

Growing up in Toronto, Rupert first found his passion for the paddle and the outdoors, spending his summers canoe tripping in Algonquin Park. Since studying Outdoor Adventure at Algonquin College, Rupert plans to spend his summers in a boat and winters on skis. He is looking forward to his first year at Naturally Superior and getting to explore Superior’s coast.

Valerie Cordemans

Valerie grew up in Belgium with a need to be on and in the water. After a career as an officer on cargo ships and some years in an office managing ships worldwide, she came to her senses 🙂 and is now a yoga and meditation teacher, lifecoach, passionate cook and crazy nature lover. Naturally Superior and Rock Island lodge bring all her dreams under one roof : the immense sky.

Valerie will be managing the Lodge.

Maxine Iharosy

Maxine returns to Wawa every year and has fallen in love with NSA and the Rocky Point. She’s a nature enthusiast who feels most fulfilled when hunting, fishing, gardening, hiking, or just taking close-up pictures of tiny flowers. She’s studied yoga, meditation, and Somatic Experiencing™, now working with women as an Embodiment Coach. She looks forward to bringing her love of community and empowerment to NSA.

Paige

Paige is a first year university student attending the University of Ottawa for Biomedical Science. Along with her passion for science, she loves the outdoors. She grew up spending time on the water and feels most herself when she is outside in nature. Her favourite activities include swimming, hiking, and spending time in the sun. She can’t wait to be a part of the Naturally Superior Adventures team.

Morgan Davis

Morgan is currently a student of Outdoor Recreation at Lakehead University. Born and raised in the Ottawa valley, he spent a lot of time exploring what the Ottawa/Gatineau region has to offer. He is very excited to get to spend the summer sharing his passion with others in such a beautiful location.

Virginia Marshall

Ginny’s been sea kayak guiding and instructing on Superior with us since 2005. She’s also paddled Newfoundland, Maine, Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, Thailand and New Zealand. Her best trip so far was a solo on Lake Superior so she knows our area well.

Wesley Schlenker

Raised on summer adventure, Wesley has been paddling the shores of Lake Superior since the age of 3. While studying physics and music, he found balance in life by the lakeside as paddling guide and coach. His passion for sharing the beauty and wonder of this lake has kept him around Naturally Superior Adventures where you can find him wandering barefoot whistling a tune.

Evelyn Stewart

Evelyn is a student who loves to hike, swim, camp, canoe and anything that involves spending time outside. When she’s not out in nature, she focuses on dancing, playing piano or hanging out with her friends.
Evelyn is super excited to be part of the NSA team this summer.

Bonnie Perry

Bonnie is a minister with the Episcopal Church and one of our best friends. As a top ACA instructor, BCU 5-star paddler and coach as well as a Paddle Canada instructor she’s crucial to our advanced training and especially our combination Paddle Canada Level 2/BCU 3-star sea kayak instruction program.

Callie Paddock

Born and raised in Wawa, Callie has grown up playing and exploring along the shores of Lake Superior.  When she’s not in the water, catching waves, wandering barefoot, or laying on the beach you can find her writing, painting, or teaching yoga.

She’s excited to be back at Naturally Superior Adventures, doing what she loves most!

Mirinda Boucher

Mirinda is an NSA alumni who is passionate about anything and everything outdoors. She is an avid runner, cyclist, hiker, and paddler. Her favourite place to be is out on the shores of Superior, sleeping in her tent. Her other favourite place to be is in the kitchen baking sourdough, or making other yummy food. She’s excited to be back working in the lodge for duration of the season!

Sophie Sjogren

Sophie is a nature-loving computer scientist who enjoys experimental cooking and spontaneous dancing. She grew up in Michigan and attended Kalamazoo College where she found her passion for outdoor education. Since then, she has had opportunities to explore US national parks and lead expeditions with her college’s outdoor program department. Ask her about the Lake Erie algae blooms and she’ll talk about her research for hours. She loves engaging in fascinating conversations and would happily learn something new from you.

Wally

I’m a happy man. Simple as that.” Says Wally. “Enjoying the simple things in life, like working, travelling, meeting new people, gaining new perspectives & of course shooting the breeze!” You’ll find him running around the site fixing things up and getting things done!

Gemma Nightingale

After working in healthcare in the UK for 5 years, Gemma made the decision to get back outdoors. She has done two seasons as a ski instructor in BC and, after travelling across Canada last Spring, decided to return to beautiful Northern Ontario for the Summer. Gemma is excited to get out on the water and experience her first Canadian summer!

Ivan Pell

Ivan is a student in Montreal currently attending Royal West Academy. he loves to play hockey, the flute (Western concert flute) and to skateboard, He’s excited to be outdoors and experience new opportunities this season.