 Our Annual Staff Party - August 2011 - photo by Thom Morrissey
Some Words About the Staff We are quite proud of the White Squall staff family. All of them are exceptional individuals, with a wide range of talents and skills. Many of them live right here in the Parry Sound area! Most are Paddle Canada certified sea kayak instructors (four are national instructor-trainers) as well as trained and qualified guides. Our resource staff (for geology, astronomy, ecology and photography trips) are leaders in their field yet are exceptionally easy to learn from. We often think how lucky we are to have such a depth of knowledge and skill available to us – and best of all, they’re fun to be around too!
Resource Staff
Doug Elsey is a professional engineer and documentary photographer currently living in Mississauga, Ontario. Originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario - and trained as an ocean engineer - he has been in, on and especially under the water for most of his life. For over 30 years, he has worked in the commercial diving industry as a diver, as an engineer, and manager /partner of one of the largest commercial diving companies in Canada. He took a paddle trip with White Squall many years ago for a vacation break – and now comes back as a resource person to paddle, teach and shoot photos with Thom Morrissey and the folks on the paddle/photo trips.
As a professional documentary photographer specializing in adventure and expedition photography, his images have appeared in National Geographic , Popular Science and numerous national papers and magazines. His photo assignments for the NATO Special Forces underwater and commando units takes him all over the world on photo assignments from the high arctic to the tropics - and all sorts of places in between.
As far as his "disposition" ....well, lets just say his sense of humour – which he just can't seem to suppress - seems to keep him continually "in trouble". He sees life from the bright side – "I enjoy laughter. I take life seriously by enjoying it. What could be better!!"
View more photos at Doug's Photography Site
 Doug Cunningham is a retired Science and Outdoor Education teacher who lives with his wife, Paula, in Lion's Head on the beautiful Bruce Peninsula. They have one daughter, Christy, who after graduating as a Doctor from McMaster University, is now specializing in emergency medicine. Doug greatly enjoys sharing his fascination with the ideas of Science and his love of Nature with students of all ages. During his teaching career Doug received numerous awards including the Prime Minister's Award, The Youth Science Foundation Service Award, the OSSTF Excellence in Educations Awards. In retirement he has continued his involvement in Public Education by giving Science Themed Lecctures to the Bluewater Lifelong Learners and the Chantry Institute of the Bruce County Museum.
Doug has been an avid astronomer for over 39 years and greatly enjoys observing the dark night skies from Quetican, his backyard observatory. He has recently installed a research telescope in a new observatory addition and he hopes eventually to be able to detect the transits of extra-solar planets.
He is fortunate enough to have a wife who shares his science and outdoor interests such as sea kayaking, wilderness camping, x-country skiing, and particularly, chasing Total Solar Eclipses. Travels to Australia, Mexico, Turkey, and Zambia and China have permitted them to stand in the shadow of the Moon and experience what many call "Nature's Grandest Spectacle". One of his retirement projects concerns raising the public's awareness of light pollution and attempting to get the northern Bruce Peninsula declared a "Dark Sky Friendly Site".
Doug has canoed the Nahanni, has kayaked part of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, the Mingan Islands near Labrador, the Pukaskwa Coast, the Apostle Islands, the Slate Islands of Lake Superior, the Hog Islands of PEI, and his favourite area: the pristine coastline of Georgian Bay and the Bruce Peninsula. This is Doug's 8th summer as a White Squall Guest Interpreter.
 Gerard Courtin has been part of White Squall for a very long time. A serendipitous collaboration – we taught him a bit about kayaking – he continues to teach us a lifetime of things about the natural world. Gerard's early schooling was in England and then he emigrated to Canada in 1953. After working on a farm for a year, he embarked upon a BSc (Forestry) at the University of New Brunswick.
Married in 1960 to Barbara, he found work at Brookhaven National Laboratory for two years before doing his MSc and PhD in alpine ecology at the University of Illinois. In 1968 he signed on with Laurentian University to teach plant and alpine ecology. Gerard gets around – he's been up to Devon Island in the high arctic with the International Biological Programme and has spent much of his research career working on stressed ecosystems. In semi retirement he presently splits his time between teaching environmental science courses both at his home institution and in the United States at Cornell University’s Shoals Marine Laboratory, and at the Centre for Northern Studies at Sterling College in Vermont. So that he doesn't get bored, Gerard has a second career conducting forensic botany research and case work for law enforcement agencies.
Gerard and his wife have a log cabin hideaway on Manitoulin Island where they escape for quiet time. Gerard is an award-winning teacher and professor Emeritus at Laurentian. So where does White Squall fit in? Well sir... Gerard is also our resident ecologist, guide, storyteller, and all-around nice guy. His ecology programmes fill quickly and for good reason: he's completely dedicated to his friends and students. With Gerard on board, you'll get the best information and energy one could ever ask for in interpreting the world.
 David Pearson is a professor of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University in Sudbury. We have been fortunate to have him join us on our geology kayak trips on Georgian Bay for many years now. David is along to help interpret the geological landscape for those interested and he does an excellent job of explaining the earth features that we see around us.
David was a former host of the award winning television show "Down to Earth" (MidCanada TV 1991–1998), a program that dealt with environmental concerns in Northern Ontario. He also hosted other media shows: "Understanding the Earth" (TV Ontario), as well as CBC Northern Ontario's "Radio Lab" science commentaries (1982–1997). In 2000, he was the recipient of the E. R. Ward Neale Medal of the Geological Association of Canada – awarded to an individual who is making significant contributions to the public awareness of geoscience. In 2003 he was awarded the McNeil Medal of the Royal Society of Canada for public communication of science. In 2002 he received the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal for environmental work in Sudbury and in 2004 the Northern Life "Community Builders" Award in the Environment category. He also writes regular editorial page commentaries on environmental topics for community newspapers in Ontario as a member of the Osprey Writers Group.
 Thom Morrissey has been photographing people and placesall over the world for years – often the photographer for many local Parry Sound events & festivals. He's recently made the switch from film to digital and the learning curve is huge. Besides being an excellent photographer, he can educate you easily too – his day gig is a full-time school principal! Thom has kayaked and camped on the Bay for many years.
Check on Thom's photo blog site - Have Camera Will Travel.
 Theresa Gregory Theresa Gregory has been studying and teaching Kripalu yoga for over a decade. The attention to breath, meditation, mental quietude, as well as physical strength, flexibility, and balance make Kripalu yoga a perfect adjunct to nature experiences. Also a Reiki Master and aromatherapy massage therapist, Theresa brings a sensitivity to energy and a healthy dose of humour to bring our practice to life. Theresa is also co-host of YogAloft Yoga and Wellness Retreat in McKellar, Ontario, with her husband Steve Munro. They offer weekly yoga classes, special yoga workshops, aromatherapy massage, Reiki, nature walks, and tours of their beautiful medicine wheel garden. Recently, they began distilling their own essential oils and hydrosols from the plants in their garden and the various tree species on their property. They are now able to make a whole line of healing plant essences available to you. Learn more about YogAloft.
The Squall Team
 Tim Dyer Everybody knows Tim – he's the boss – without Tim and his partner Kathy, there would be no White Squall. Both have worked in the outdoor industry since the early '70s. Tim's start was as a canoe guide in Temagami, then as an outdoor instructor with Project DARE, on staff with Wilderness Challenge Project at Alberta Corrections, and then as a co-ordinator of the Strathcona Outdoor Leader Apprenticeship in B.C. He fell in love with coastal kayaking while guiding on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Soon after, he took teacher training and arrived in Parry Sound teaching part-time in both elementary and high school (for more on this story read the Brief History of White Squall).
In 1984 Tim & Kathy started White Squall, a sideline business at first devoted to ski instruction. They realized quickly that kayaks would be the perfect craft to explore the Georgian Bay coast . White Squall Paddling Centre was born. Through careful business decision making, attention to details, excellent customer service and hiring talented staff they have made White Squall what it is today with a loyal following of customers who keep coming back for more 'yaking fun'!
Tim is a direct and effective communicator, always diplomatic, with a witty sense of humour. Staff and customers alike take a shine to him immediately. Tim's job is to oversee most everything - keeping the White Squall ship sailing. Boat ordering, a huge task, is Tim's job each year and believe me he loves boats of all sizes and colours! Tim is a Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Level 4 Instructor and Level 3 Trainer, an AECSKO guide, a member of the National Paddle Canada Sea Kayak Certification Committee, and is trained in Wilderness 1st Aid and Swift Water Rescue. In winter, he teaches skiing at the local ski club with the Jackrabbit program and loves backcountry skiing with friends. In summer, well you know where to find him, however occassionally he escapes for a canoe or kayak getaway with family and friends, never tiring of spending time in his backyard of beautiful Georgian Bay.
 Kathy Dyer has a wide background in Outdoor and Adventure Education... She took her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo and that's when she discovered nordic skiing, becoming a certified national instructor. She then earned another degree in Education from the University of Western Ontario and took a teaching position at Claremont Outdoor School. During this time in her life, Kathy went out to the mountains of British Columbia for training at the Keremeos Outward Bound School. Moving west, she settled in the Pemberton Valley as a teacher for the Coast Mountain Outdoor School. It was during that time that she and Tim were married, and they eventually moved back to Ontario. Here, Kathy was employed by the local school district in adult education. She also became a caseworker for the Big Brothers as well as working in the local bakery! When she and Tim began White Squall, their winters would be spent teaching nordic skiing throughout the district. She holds advanced industrial and wilderness first aid certification as well as teaching credentials for both Ontario and BC. She speaks fluent German and can play both guitar and accordian (she played for quite a while in the 19 James band). Her role at the Squall is "behind the scenes". She's responsible for managing the staff and business along with Tim and handles much of the accounting, as well as taking care of trip food, gardening, and landscaping. The staff usually come to her instead of Tim for advice and problem solving because she looks much better than Tim and tends to listen a lot better too!
 Jesse Dyer is quite the paddler (well he should be, he has paddled with his parents since he was a wee tot!) Always the gentleman (Kathy's influence) and much like his Dad (Tim), friendly, kooky, and with a heart of gold, he'll welcome you to the high seas of Georgian Bay, his training and playground.
Jesse began working in 2004 and is now a full-time instructor & guide with White Squall.
 Greg Mason has worked summers at White Squall since 1992... He's now part of the management team (sounds so official doesn't it) which is a lot of fun too! While he really likes guiding, he has become really interested in the teaching/coaching aspect of sea kayaking. He is certified by Paddle Canada as a Level 2 Instructor Trainer, Level 3 Instructor and has Level 4 skills. He also really enjoys getting out in big winds and waves and out on the rivers in his whitewater kayak. His goal is to paddle 12 months of the year in any type of craft...still working on February!
Greg has two young boys, Sam and Ben who are both keen boats and water which pleases Greg immensely. Along with his partner Becky Pollock, they enjoy camping on the bay and elsewhere and cottaging down around the south end of Georgian Bay. Winters are spent enjoying the snowy wonder of the Parry Sound area. Greg also works with Becky with the UNESCO designated Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (www.gbbr.ca) another organization that has a whole lot of fun helping to conserve the enviroment of Georgian Bay and help promote sustainable communities and economies for the eastern Georgian Bay region.
 Patti Morel adds a lot of flavour to the atmosphere at White Squall with her lively personality. You always know when Patti is on site, full of smiles and laughs, it's hard to be unhappy with her around.
Patti is originally from Parry Sound and helped her brother start up Trailseekers, a bike and ski shop in town. After travelling the world, seeking new challenges and experiences, starting another life in Australia, managing an outdoor store there, and moving to Vancouver to work as a travel agent, she returned to her home on the Bay. Family and friends are very important to Patti and somehow she finds the time to spend time with all of them.
Patti started at White Squall in 1998. She is now a manager at White Squall which takes her in many directions: instructing and guiding on the water, overseeing the merchandise at both stores, buying the clothing (trying to keep up with all the new colours and styles – she's the fashion woman) and laying down the law when the staff (and sometimes customers too) get out of line. She is an AECSKO guide with training in Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid, and a Paddle Canada/ORCKA Level 1 Sea Kayak Instructor.
 Jane McDonald is an enthusiastic White Squall employee with a passion for travel and love for Georgian Bay. She enjoys paddling and cooking in the great outdoors and after travelling the world believes the Bay is the most beautiful place to live. Jane's favourite thing about working at White Squall is the way she is treated and the staff she is able to work with. She oversees the water purification systems and footwear selection in the stores. She is trained in Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid. Jane lives in the Parry Sound area with her husband and two sons and has worked at White Squall since 1998.
 Lynn Martin joined White Squall in the spring of 2000. She is a committed environmentalist and an outdoor enthusiast who’s enjoyed many years of canoeing, kayaking, and camping. She has a talent for cooking & enjoys experimenting with exotic kayaking cuisine. Haute cuisine on the rocks! Lynn is one of our year-round staff who works mostly at the town store and occasionally at the paddling centre. Some of her duties include ordering rope, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, and camping supplies, as well as assisting Patti in clothing selection.
 Jack Elliott, or "Captain Jack" as some of us call him, is one of the more colourful staff at White Squall. Lucky to have been born into a "camping family", Jack has been going on outdoor trips and messing around in boats as long as he can remember.
Jack spent much of his youth in the Ardbeg region (north of Parry Sound) and still lives by the shores of Wawashkesh Lake on the beautiful Magnetewan River. Many moons ago Jack was a professional big machinery mechanic working in the mines of Elliot Lake. Afterwards he spent his time on the Bay as a marine mechanic. Jack’s other life is painting. He creates big and small paintings on oil and canvas. Often he’ll take a paint kit (in a special dry bag) along with him on his kayak adventures. Jack has paddled on the west coast (Queen Charlottes), east coasts (Newfoundland), and many of the lakes in Ontario including Superior, Nipigon, Nipissing, and Lake Huron. He has many a tale (& painting) to tell about some of these trips. In winter you’ll find Jack way back on the frozen hills & swamps of northern Ontario or in the mountains of the Yukon bush, skiing with a polk and prospector tent.
Jack is a manager and specifically co-ordinates the paddle sport section. He is an excellent paddler and instructor. He also loves selling kayaks & gear in the shop! Jack is a Paddle Canada Level 1 Sea Kayak Instructor & Level 3 paddler, an AECSKO guide, and is trained in Wilderness 1st Aid.
 Christine Utas started working and playing at the Squall in the spring of 2008 after graduating from Algonquin College's Outdoor Adventure program. Aside from sea kayaking she enjoys hiking, climbing stuff, scuba diving, travelling, cooking & eating. Recent travels have included four months in New Zealand and a month in Peru.
 Stacy Utas graduated from the Outdoor Adventure Leadership Program at Laurentian University this past spring. She loves to travel and recently returned from a four month trip from South America. Stacy started canoe tripping when she was in high school during a highschool outdoor education class. Since then, she has done many flat water and white water canoe trips in many parts of Ontario. She was introduced to sea kayaking in New Zealand where she completed a 16 day expedition. She is now a Level 1 Paddle Canada Instructor and is excited to spend another season at White Squall
 Justin Mullen started at White Squall in 2007 as a Junior Apprentice. He’s looking forward to another season of learning new skills, being around great people and paddling on beautiful Georgian Bay.
 Brian Pettinger started as a junior apprentice at White Squall in 2008. The very first present he ever got was a PFD from White Squall. Living in the Parry Sound area, has been tripping since he was 9 months old. He has recently received his Wilderness 1st Aid and Bronze Medallion. When he’s not out kayaking or canoeing, he enjoys mountain biking, soccer, and x-country skiing.
 Erin Creasor joined White Squall in 2008. She says, "I was born and raised in Parry Sound. I was continually outside as a kid and I've continued the tradition throughout my teenage years. I've always camped and hiked with my family and in high school I joined the outtrip club. I've taken many courses at White Squall starting with Kids Kayaking and have progressd up to 4-day youth trips. During the school year I participate in the x-country running team, nordic skiing, track and field, gymnastics, outtrip club, and play flute in the school band. When not in school, I enjoy horseback riding and competing in horse shows, playing the piano, competing in triathlons, camping with family and friends, swimming, and occasionally sleeping and spending time with my family. I have my level 10 swimming badge and I know basic first aid. I am in French immersion in school and I just returuned from a 3 month exchange in France. So I can speak and write in French fairly fluently. Overall, I lead a very active lifestyle and enjoy being busy."
 Grace O'Brien joined White Squall in 2009 as a junior apprentice. She was born in Parry Sound and grew up on the shores of Maple Lake thriving on all the sports the area had to offer: from hockey to ball hockey, cross country-skiing to cross-country running, from figure skating to soccer. When not playing sports, Grace will be continuing French Immersion at Parry Sound High School.
Grace went on her first canoe trip at 5 months of age and has never looked back, earning her Bronze Cross and Wilderness First Aid, paddling on the lakes and the bay, and practicing hard to perfect her kayak roll. With Grace’s organization, enthusiasm and love of working with people, she has found the perfect fit with White Squall.
 Zack Crafts enjoys living near Georgian Bay where he can paddle to many islands, ride on many trails and wide shoulders, kick the soccer ball around with friends young and old, ski through the trails of a nearby forest, swim in the Sound, garden in his yard, cook wholesome and delicious food, listen to music, read the newspaper, the Guardian website and children's books, drink microbrewery beer and red wine, organize parties with friends, play cards badly, sing, play instruments poorly, travel, hang out with my fantastic family of three children, one lovely lady and a black cat named Dinah. He has been working at White Squall since 1999.
 Heather Metcalfe is the glue that binds White Squall together. She spends her time on a multitude of tasks. Now a general manager, she does much more than just office stuff. She is the one that keeps White Squall afloat when all the other staff are running around teaching on the water, off on trips, driving shuttles, or dealing with customers. You will find Heather most often in the White Squall office or training staff, meeting with reps, designing & printing forms, tracking our huge boat inventory, sorting out confusing phone systems / computers / accounts receivables / special orders, and even making sure that other staff are on time for their next shuttle – phew!! That's a lot of stuff! We all love Heather. We know she is on top of it! (Well, most of the time.) Her attention to detail is unparalleled and can put the rest of us to shame sometimes.
Heather has lived in Parry Sound since 1985, working at OMNR in Forestry and Geographic Information Systems. During this time she guided weekend daytrips at White Squall, then joined the White Squall team full-time in 1997. She also enjoys home renovations (her house and many friends' and family' homes). Heather is very good at ripping down walls with a sledge hammer. She loves canoe trips, skiing, and good food and drink shared with friends and family.
 Dean Cargill Affectionately nick-named Dean-o by his partner Heather, Dean has worked with us know for many a year. I think it is safe to say that we don't know what we ever did without him! Dean is THE Mr. Fix-it. In fact his skills are so renowned that staff are frequently drawing him away to work on their own homes. If you venture our way, you'll more than likely find Dean either fixin' something (and at White Squall there's no end) or you'll see him behind the wheel of one of the trucks on shuttle duty. Give him a wave if you see him on the road!
Perhaps, though, Dean's biggest claim to fame is that "he's the only one who Tim D. can't tell what to do". Now I'm sure that goes for Kathy D. as well but it's durn near true.
As if Dean's mechanic and wood-working prowess isn't enough, you'll be hard put to find a better BBQer at White Squall. We're always anticipating the next BBQ party with bated breath and drools. Dean has previously worked for the local OMNR. Now a retired Lands Technician and the fact that he is a "local", he's a wealth of juicy gossip and great information about the areas cultural and ecological history.
 Graham Ketcheson's name is synonymous with fun / adventure / music; talented in so many ways.
His love of canoeing and kayaking stretches back beyond his 17 years of sea kayak teaching and guiding. It began at the cottage when he was 7, turning into several teenaged canoe trips with the YMCA Camp Stephens in Kenora, ON (including a 6-week journey of over 1100 km through northern Canada). In 1993, Graham apprenticed then became a full guide with Nahanni River Adventures in the NWT and Rocky Mountain Voyageurs in Jasper. He spent part of the following seasons guiding on the mighty Nahanni. Graham has worked at White Squall since 1994. He is an AECSKO guide, Paddle Canada Level 2 Sea Kayak Instructor-Trainer and Level 3 Instructor, and ORCKA Flatwater Canoe Instructor. He holds certs in Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid, Swiftwater Rescue, and Bronze Cross lifesaving and is a CANSI Telemark Level 1 Ski Instructor. He is presently the Marketing/Communication Director for CANSI Ontario. For 3 years he was also director for PEAT (Partners in Eco-Adventure Travel), a northeastern Ontario marketing organization. Graham graduated from U of Waterloo in '95 with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies.
If he's not inside, you'll need a tracking device to follow his latest outdoor adventure: white water kayaking, canoeing, hiking, winter camping, ice climbing, snowshoeing, kite skiing, or telemark skiing... Well you get the picture. Unbelievable? (He's a great cook to boot!!) Read more on his blog.
Graham will be helping the Squall out on an occasional basis in 2010 season. Graham recently relocated to Kingston, Ontario, with outdoor partners in crime Adrienne and son Owen (3 yrs old!) and is currently the new Executive Director for Paddle Canada.
 Kathy Watson Teaching at Parry Sound High School is Kathy's "real job". Her involvement with White Squall goes back to its beginnings with helping to build the store! Since then she's worked part-time as guide, instructor, and retail staff. We all love her wonderful calming affect on us when this place is in its summer frenzy. When she isn't working at the Squall, she's busy travelling and tripping both here on the Bay and abroad. Come winter, Kathy loves to ski and enjoy time at home nestled in the woods near Georgian Bay. This summer Kathy will be travelling and sea kayaking parts of the BC coast – have fun!
 Brian Goodings is one of the experienced paddlers, with 23 years of paddling experience and 16 seasons guiding at White Squall. When Brian is not paddling, he is very busy. He is the father of 5 children (age 6–25) and enjoys cross country skiing, playing hockey, and running in his spare time. Aside from being an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada, he has recently completed his Doctorate through the University of Alberta. His thesis focused on his experience paddling from Thunder Bay to Thornbury solo in the summer of 2004. This was a culmination of many years of love for the waters of Lake Superior and Huron. Brian is an AECSKO guide and trained in Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid
 Marlene Hume Loves the water and seakayaking. Enjoys getting people excited about paddling and being safe and confident on the water. A ‘gear head’ who knows how to make good coffee in the woods.
 Pam Wedd is the staff member that White Squaller's love to see in the morning. These days Pam gets sucked into the swirling busyness of White Squall on days when the regular crowd just can't cope without backup. She jumps in without question, bringing an atmosphere of calmness to the most chaotic of days.
Pam got her B.Sc. in Human Kenetics at the University of Guelph before working at Camp Tapawingo (Toronto YWCA Outdoor Centre) from '75 to '88 running canoe trips, adult recreation weekends, school outdoor education programmes. During this time, in the early days of White Squall, she helped build our store from the bottom up and led some of the first kayaking trips and canoe trips here at White Squall. She continues to teach kayaking and canoeing and is excellent at boat repairs. She also plays a bit of oldtimers hockey.
Pam was a regular staff member until 1989 when she started her own canoe building business called Bearwood Canoes. She now builds the most beautiful wood-canvas canoes on the continent. You just have to look once at one of her works of art and you will understand a bit about the kind of person she is and the amount of care she has poured into White Squall. Bearwood Canoes also offers canoe & kayak building courses at her workshop in Orrville. We are glad that she still takes time out of her busy schedule to jump into White Squall whenever she is needed. Pam is a Paddle Canada Flatwater Kayak Instructor.
 Sue Adams flowers pinned on her hat, tye-dyed t-shirts and a huge bright easy smile – that's Sue – Kayaking Guide, Instructor, and the best Emergency/Trauma Nurse east of Kenora. Sue has worked with White Squall since 1996. She has a nursing degree from McMaster University and got her start at hospital emergency rooms south of the border in North Carolina. She presently resides in Orillia with her family (Dan and two kids Sophia & Casey, and pet pig Wilber!), close to the Bay and works at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie when not venturing outdoors. She grew up in Parry Sound and knows the Bay and its waters well. In the winter Sue likes to ski cross country and downhill. In the summer, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming are her recreational past-times. Her fondest memories come from white water paddling with White Squall friends on the Magnetewan and Madawaska rivers. Oh!, and she gives the best hugs. Sue works part time as a nurse in Orillia (and a wee bit for WS too) and is on her way to getting her Nurse Practitioner Certification.
 Ann Dunnigan has been with White Squall almost from the beginning. She was witness to Tim and Kathy trying to build a 24'x 48' store from the ground up and recognized a certain ineptness in carpentry right away. Jumping in and showing us how, Annie is one of the main reasons things are still standing today. She holds a MSc degree in plant pathology from the University of Guelph and did undergrad work at Dalhousie. Her background is so extensive and diverse, it's hard to know where to begin. She was the head of science for 10 years at a high school in Quebec. She was director of Camp Tapawingo for many years and has logged thousands of miles tripping throughout Ontario. Her first love was canoeing, but she soon took to kayaking and became one of our senior leaders very quickly. Her knowledge of the outdoors is amazing, but she also knows how to fix a tractor, plumb a bathroom, wire a house, and build anything you want. The rest of the staff look to Ann for advice on all sorts of things. Her garden is huge, she taps maple trees every spring, yet she still finds time to lead ski and hike adventures for for the local nature club. Ann is a renaissance woman – able to do a wide variety of things with always a smile and a story to share.
 Andrea Tang is one of the original Squallions; she started with us in 1990 and has lead a trip for us virtually every year since. As a child, she canoe tripped with her father and was a camper at Camp Tapawingo (during the time fellow White Squallers Pam Wedd and Ann Dunnigan also worked there!) spending many summers in what is now the Massasauga Provincial Park.
She is now one of our most revered guides, especially renowned for her empathetic nature and cool head in emergencies. What few people know, however, is that she actually failed her Seniors swimming badge at Camp for three years in a row, as she wouldn't go to the bottom of the bay and look for the javex bottle "body". She has come a long way! Ask her about her famous emergency evacuation sometime...
Andrea absolutely loves her job as a secondary school vice-principal, and brings a similarly infectious "joie de vivre" to her work at White Squall. While she is only with us for a short duration each summer, we always look forward to her time here. When not working with White Squall, you can probably see her kayaking on the Bay with her husband and two youngest children. Andrea is an AECSKO guide with training in Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid and a Paddle Canada Level 2 Kayak Instructor.
 Siobhan Callaghan started out here as a customer many moons ago and liked the place so much she convinced us to give her a part-time summer job here.
Siobhan is tremendously fond of and connected to the great lakes, having grown up on the north shore of Lake Erie. She played in small boats, canoes, and sailboats from an early age while watching the lights of freighters on the horizon making their way through the great lakes to ports beyond. She was introduced to Georgian Bay at 17 while hiking with her Dad on the Bruce trail from Tobermory to Lion's Head. Falling in love with the Bay, her family bought a cottage the next summer on Isthmus Bay, outside Lion's Head. Siobhan then got waylaid for awhile pursuing a BSc in biology and psychology before studying medicine at McMaster. Soon after this she discovered the need to balance the craziness of a thriving family practice in Hamilton with something like... kayaking (especially since that canoe was seeming pretty inadequate in the big waves of Georgian Bay). As all good Ontario sea kayakers do at one point or another, Siobhan stumbled upon White Squall for training, boats, and gear. She found that this was a special place and wanted to “jump in.” We are very happy she did. Siobhan is now a Paddle Canada Level 1 Instructor, an AECSKO guide, and trained in Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid.
Kayaking is Siobhan's passion but, when not out on the water, she dabbles in things like running, skiing (downhill and nordic), playing guitar, and painting t-shirts.
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