Meet Our WILD Educators
WILD bridges the gap between our summer season on the Ottawa and our winter season in Mexico. This group of instructors are the best of the best with years of experience instructing in their specialty. Each member of this team is an educator of international caliber with expertise in one or more whitewater discipline including rafting, canoeing, river rescue or kayaking. WILD educators are highly respected in the whitewater industry and offer only the best instruction possible to their students!
Jim Coffey - “JC”
Founder & Director
"I chose this industry for the travel, people and places as well as the message and benefits that quality eco-tourism can provide."
Hometown: Davidson, Pontiac County, QC
Hobbies/Interests: whitewater, rivers, tourism, sustainability
Favourite Food: The Esprit Ultimate BBQ
Favourite rivers: The Ottawa, Kipawa and Magnetawan
Places Traveled: I have worked in 35 different countries… the list goes on and on…
Training/Education: In 1984 I took “a year off” of university seeking fame and fortune as a whitewater/eco-adventure travel guide. As fortune remains elusive I have instead gained a considerable amount of notoriety by founding Esprit.
Lalo Ruiz
Position: Head Guide, Trip Leader
Quote: "Is there bear poop in the forest?"
Passionate About: Tacos, kayaking, travelling, multiday whitewater trips and creeking with friends.
Places Traveled: Canada, US, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, Spain, France, Switzerland and Germany.
Why Esprit?: I work for Esprit because I like the proffesionlism of the whitewater Esprit trips and I enjoy guiding on the Ottawa river as well as guiding kayaking trips in Mexico or Costa Rica during the winter.
Bob Vranich – “The Croatian Sensation”
Trip Leader/River Guide/WILD Instructor
“Rivers are absolutely incredible places and being able to share my passion for them with others makes this lifestyle very rewarding.”
Hometown: Lindsay, ON
Working at Esprit since: 2005
Favourite Food: Argentine steaks
Training/Education: WILD graduate 2004, BAH from University of Toronto (History specialist)
Martin Breu
Position: Raft Guide and Canoe Instructor
Quote: "Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go paddling!"
Passionate About: Whitewater and Skiing!
Places Traveled: Canada, Nepal, Japan, Costa Rica, Panama, US, and all over Europe.
Why Esprit?: I love to work for Esprit because i get to work with some of the most amazing people I know and because our two channel day trips are simply the best rafting trips on the Ottawa River!
