As we work our way into the summer of 2021, Norm Hann Expeditions continues to grow thanks to amazing guests like you. We’ve added more guides and instructors and I thought this would be a great time to introduce our team. My goal at Norm Hann Expeditions has always been to share our passion for paddling, teaching, and love for our coastline with you. Our team is focused on keeping you safe on the water and helping you to become a better paddler while providing the opportunity to build your own experiences and connections with wild and remote paddling destinations and cultures. Here’s what we’re offering right now:

Many of you are connecting with these guides and instructors in our various paddling programs in Squamish, on Vancouver Island and throughout our multi day expeditions in British Columbia. At NHX we also value a high level of service and we are committed to providing an incredible experience for you on the water. 

Meet our Team!

 

Tina Currie 

 

If you have ever had the chance to spend time with Tina on the water then you know the energy, excitement and passion she brings to you and to your experience. Tina is the heart and soul of our programming here in Squamish and approached me five years ago with the goal of getting more local people in Squamish and the Sea to Sky Corridor out on the ocean safely. We created the Coastal Stoke Program which includes our Intro To Stoke and our Coastal Stoke Pass. Tina is a full time guide and incredibly well trained showcasing her commitment to learning and her value of safety on the water. I am really fortunate to have Tina as part of our expedition team and if NHX had a “general manager” Tina would be it. She has also provided valuable mentoring and training to our up and coming guides and instructors. Tina has been invaluable in the building of our programs and support for our clients. 

Tina leads or co-guides on these experiences:

• Coastal Stoke Program – Intro to Stoke, Coastal Stoke Pass, Coastalfit 
• Howe Sound Tour & Coffee Run
• Sunshine Coast SUP Camping Trip
• SUP Pro & Coastal Expeditions Skills, Flat2Flow
• Discovery Island Ocean Camp

Tina’s training includes:

• Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater, Touring and River Instructor
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid
• Squamish Marine Search and Rescue Team
• SRT 1 – Swiftwater Rescue Technician

Listen to Tina explain our local paddling programs here in Squamish. 

 

Neil Gilson

I have known Neil since the start of this sport over a decade ago where we first connected as Paddle Canada Instructor Trainers. Neil has vast guiding and instructional experience and is a sage in our paddling community. He is one of Canada’s top instructor trainers and has been leading backcountry paddling trips since high school with a  30 + year career as a whitewater canoe, rafting guide and ocean kayak guide. Owner of Bearfoot Performance Paddling I reached out to Neil and Raven Rescue Instructor Chad Guenter, when I was creating our SOAR River Camp in Canmore. I am working with Neil to build an industry leading guide course and his experience has been instrumental in the development of teaching models and technical instruction for our courses. Neil has recently moved to Comox on Vancouver Island and I am excited to have him as part of our Expedition Team. Neil is a master of efficiency on the water and you will love his calm and reassuring manner and is someone who embodies the teaching principle that less is more. 

Neil Leads or co-guides these experiences

• Salish Sea Explorer, Sup Pro Skills & Coastal Expedition Skills V.I.
• SOAR River Camp 
• SUP Guide Course

Neil’s Training includes:

• Paddle Canada Flatwater & River Instructor Trainer
• Paddle Canada Touring Instructor
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid
• Level 3 guide with Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC
• CRCA Senior Whitewater Canoe Instructor
• SRT 1 – Swiftwater Rescue
• ISA Certified Personal Trainer

 

Amy Bender

It was unfortunate this past winter when we lost a valuable member of the expedition team in Sarah Glenn. Not only was Sarah well trained and accomplished in the outdoor world but she had been my guiding partner in the Great Bear Rainforest and on our Discovery Island Ocean Camp over the last couple of years. She provided incredible food and was a joy to spend time with. Our guests loved her. This season she is working with Nimmo Bay Resort and although we are happy for her we will also miss her genuine, calm disposition, crafty smile and wit,   and of course her amazing food. But as Sarah headed in another direction, heading in our direction was Amy Bender. Our first trip together was last month on our Discovery Island Ocean Camp and Amy crushed it. Food and the outdoors have been core to all of Amy’s adventures. Amy grew up canoe tripping with her father on the lakes and rivers of Ontario and from him inherited her culinary creativity. After graduating as a Geography Major from Guelph’s Environmental Sciences program, Amy explored around the world and finally settled in Squamish, BC for its world class climbing. She spent many years as a flat and white water canoe guide in Ontario, an Outdoor Educator in Australia, and a hiking guide throughout Canada. Through it all she kept creating new and delicious backcountry recipes. Her culinary career has developed in parallel and oftentimes intertwined itself. From over a campfire to lodge cooking, private event catering, and sous-chef-ing she has pursued her passion for cooking.  She loves exploring the less travelled path, the remote wilderness areas, and those much cherished weekend destinations. She loves it even more if she can feed you along the way! We are really excited to have Amy as part of our team this year and we hope you get a chance to meet her on one of our experiences. 

Experience Amy’s food at on these trips:

• Discovery Island Ocean Camp
• Great Bear STAND

 

Kevin Trotter

Kevin has been with our expedition team for a number of years and brings his passion for the water, his multi day solo sup experience and his high level of training and storytelling to all of the programs he leads. He has been a huge support to Tina and our Coastal Stoke Programs and there are always rave reviews from clients after his Into to Stoke lessons. Kevin is leading our Further & Faster Coastal Stoke program and has recently acquired his Paddle Canada Touring Instructor Certification. When working with clients, he draws on the experience from his career as a learning development manager, certified professional coach and trainer. With this experience Kevin helps provide incredible feedback for our programs and the building of instructor manuals and field resources for our guides. 

Kevin leads or supports on these experiences:

• Coastal Stoke Program – Intro to Stoke, Coastal Stoke Pass, CoastalFit
• SUP Pro Skills & Coastal Expeditions Skills
• Howe Sound Tour & Coffee Runs

Kevin’s Training

• Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater & Touring Instructor
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid
• Certified Professional Coach & Trainer

 

Eduardo Baldioceda

Eduardo is from Costa Rica and brings that central american energy, enthusiasm and passion to all of the programs he leads with Norm Hann Expeditions. Eduardo is a top international adventure racer and owner of Chakra Lodge in Costa Rica. He is well experienced in the outdoor world and loves leading our groups out on Howe Sound. Everyone loves a day out on the water with Eduardo.

Eduardo leads or supports on these experiences:

• Coastal Stoke Program: Intro to Stoke, Coastal Stoke Pass
• Howe Sound Tour & Coffee Run
• Flat2Flow River 

Eduardo’s Training

• Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater Instructor
• Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
• SRT 1 – Swiftwater Rescue Technician
• Adventure Based Counselling Level 1 & 2

 

Guillaume St- Louis

Guillaume is a Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater and Touring Instructor and you will find Guillaume leading our Coastal Stoke Pass paddles. 

Guillaume leads or supports on these experiences:

• Coastal Stoke Program: Intro to Stoke, Coastal Stoke Pass & Coastal Fit

Guillaume’s Training:

• Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater & Touring Instructor
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid

Jody Radtke 

 

 

Jody Radtke is an executive coach, licensed psychotherapist and experienced nature based facilitator. With a 30 year career as an Outward Bound Expedition leader and with over 1500 nights in the field we are excited to have Jody facilitating our Reflections on Water program and co-guiding with Tina on our Sunshine Coast Camping Trip. Jody has an incredible amount of experience and training, working with thousands of students and clients in the outdoor world.

Jody leads or supports on these experiences:

• Sunshine Coast Camping Trip
• Reflections on Water

Jody’s Training: 

• Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater Instructor
• Advanced Wilderness First Aid
• Outward Bound Expedition Leader
• Mental Health First Aid Instructor Trainer

Jennifer Brown 

Jennifer has recently joined our team after receiving her Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater Certification and will be delivering our Intro to Stoke class and will soon be leading our Coastal Stoke Pass paddles. Jen brings years of coaching experience and her east coast personality to our local programs. 

Jen Brown Leads or Supports these programs:

• Coastal Stoke Program: Intro to Stoke & Coastal Stoke Pass

Jen’s Training

• Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater Instructor
• Wilderness First Aid
• NCCP Level 3 Coach
• Master’s Degree in Coaching

Jen Kane

Jen has been instructing in our Coastal Stoke Program with Tina and has her Advanced Flatwater Instructor. She is spending a lot of time on the rivers these days and will be working towards her River 1 Instructor certification. In the winter season Jen’s continues to hone her coaching craft as a snowboard instructor at Whistler Blackcomb.

Jen K. leads or supports on these experiences:

• Coastal Stoke Program: Intro to Stoke & Coastal Stoke Pass

Jen K.’s Training

• Paddle Canada Advanced Flatwater Instructor 
• Wilderness First Aid

Norm Hann Expeditions is also grateful to partner with other amazing instructors and guides and if you are on any of our paddle surf weekends in Tofino then you will connect with Catherine Bruhwiler, Mike Darbyshire & Coach Jake, Raph Bruhwiler on our Nootka Surf Adventure, Chad Guenter on our SOAR River Programs and Reta Boychuk on our Flat2Flow Weekend.

If you’re looking for adventure and don’t know which is the best first, book a 15 minute call with me. We look forward to having you meet our guiding and instructional team on the water at Norm Hann Expeditions. You can head to our website to sign up for our Paddle Canada Courses and multi day experiences and follow us on Instagram.