Meet Our Guides
The Esprit guiding team consists of highly trained and motivated individuals who possess a minimum of Swiftwater Technician Level 1 and Advanced Wilderness First Aid. The Esprit guides are not only highly trained in their fields (kayaking, riverboarding, canoe tripping, rafting etc) but they are also chosen for their dynamic personalities and positive outlooks on life! They love their jobs and as such - many of them work all year around as professional guides in places like Mexico, Chile, India and Costa Rica. A large number of Esprit guides have graduated from the WILD program - the most intensive whitewater leadership program in the world! You can be sure you are in the best of hands with the Esprit Team - just be warned, on and off the river the enthusiasm is contagious!
Frank Swanson - "Pancho"
River Operations Manager
"I've paddled over 85 rivers in 5 countries and every single one has a place in my heart whether it be the mighty features, the scenery or the good times with friends along the way."
Hometown: Davidson, Pontiac County, QC
Working at Esprit since: 1997
Hobbies/Interests: Canoeing, kayaking, kiteboarding, skiing, mountain biking and watching Braveheart.
Places Traveled: Canada, USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina
Training/Education: WILD graduate 2000
Lacy Bertrand - "Lacers"
Trip Leader/River Guide
"Save our rivers and preserve our wilderness, live life to the fullest and love it all!"
Hometown: Campbell's Bay, QC
Working at Esprit since: 1998
Hobbies/Interests: Anything and everything involving water, wilderness and fresh air!
Training/Education: EMT-B, AHA Instructor, First Aid Instructor, Paramedic in training and Chef!
Tom McKenna - "T-Baggins"
Trip Leader/River Guide/Kayak Instructor
"How can you tell if a Stanley Cup ticket is fake? It says Toronto Maple Leafs on it!"
Hometown: Carleton Place, ON
Working at Esprit since: 2005
Favourite river: The Mississippi in Carleton Place
Training/Education: WILD graduate 2004, studying Criminology and Criminal Justice Law at Carleton University
Laurie Richardson - "Lo-Lo"
River Guide
"I knew very little about whitewater before taking WILD in 2006 and now I'm in love with the river! I also love the opportunities this industry has given me to live and work in different countries."
Hometown: London, ON
Working at Esprit since: 2007
Favourite River: The Ottawa and Cascadas de Micos in Mexico (nothing but waterfalls!)
Training/Education: WILD graduate 2006, professional hair stylist
Stefan Austin – “Stef”
River Guide/Safety Kayaker
“I can fit my thumbs through the holes in my ears – you’ll have to see it to believe it.”
Hometown: Wellington, New Zealand
Working at Esprit since: 2008
Favourite Food: fish and chips wrapped in yesterdays newspaper
Training/Education: Diploma in Applied Recreation majoring in Adventure Education
Places Traveled: Japan, Canada, Australia
Tom Koziak – “Kozy”
River Guide
“My favourite food is free food.”
Hometown: Bielawa, Poland
Working at Esprit since: 2006
Training/Education: WILD graduate 2005, Political Science at University of Toronto
Places Traveled: USA, Mexico, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Bosnia Herzgovina
Eric Hebert – “Highside”
Raft Deflator
“I enjoy taking guests rafting and showing them a good time. For a lot of people a rafting trip is a new and bold adventure and I get a great sense of satisfaction when they really enjoy the experience.”
Hometown: Oakville, ON
Working at Esprit since: 1992
Favourite Food: Georgian Bay whitefish and perch
Training/Education: Dipl. Marine Engineer, B.A.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, M.Sc. Marine Engineering, Dipl. Yacht Design
Neil Murray – “Old Man River”
River Guide
“This is the best job in the world.”
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Working at Esprit since: 1992
Training/Education: University of the World
Places Traveled: Canada, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe, Zimbabwe, Zambia