All four of the guides have been actively involved
in the outdoor sector for several years, both from a professional
and personal point of view. Steve's love of wilderness expeditioning
inspired him to provide courses for people who want an introduction
into the essential skills of canoe exploration. ORCA is a small
company, whose guides are very familliar with being on expedition
together. Scotland has been a favourite area for all of us, which
means that we have been able to search out some of the most remote
and beautiful locations. Steve, Dan and Lucy are jointly responsible
for populating the world with various fleets of wooden canoes and
are always searching for future canoe journeys. Paul has spent time
paddling on the big white waters of Nepal, as well as doing frequent
river journeys in the Lake District, Wales and Scotland. We all
love nothing better than to be out and about in the great outdoors,
living in the wild on another adventure.
Steve
Smith began his career teaching outdoor
education at a small outdoor base in North Devon. His discovery
of open canoeing took him to some of Britain's most beautiful
landscapes and Steve was soon undertaking and leading organised
trips to Scotland, France, Africa and New Zealand. For the past
5 years Steve has worked for Woodsmoke as a bushcraft instructor,
training many students in the art of wilderness living. Steve
combined his second love of woodwork to produce several canoes
including a fleet of five cedar-strip canoes, currently in use
on Lakelander courses. He now lives in the heart of the Lake District,
a stones throw away from Derwentwater.
Steve’s qualifications: BCU Kayak
& Canoe Coach Level 3. First Aid St.Johns.
Paul
Weller and Badger - have been leading
groups in the Lake District and Scotland for ten years, specialising
in mountaineering, climbing and open canoeing. Paul has established
himself as a well respected outdoor guide. His passion for canoe
journeying has taken him to some of the most remote parts of the
UK, and Paul has acquired to a high level, the skills of canoe
handling in a range of challenging environments.
Paul has recently been involved with expeditions to South America,
Nepal, Italy, France and Russia and is currently setting up his
own guiding company.
Paul’s qualifications: Level 4 Kayak
& Canoe coach, SPA, Summer ML, Emergency First Aid.
Lucy
Woods - originally from Somerset,
is a skilled Outdoor Leader and has been working in the outdoor
pursuits industry for eight years, predominantly baseing herself
in the Lake District. As well as working for ORCA, Lucy instructs
climbing and mountaineering, a lifelong passion. Lucy has been
involved in several major canoe expeditions over the past six
years, including trips to the Orange River-South Africa, Lake
Malawi and the East Coast of New Zealands North Island (and, of
course, Scotland!).
Lucy’s qualifications: SPA (single
pitch climbing), Summer ML(mountain leader), Level 2 Kayak &
Canoe, RYA Dingy Instructor. First Aid Mountain Expedition.
Dan
Platt-born in Nigeria, has been working
as an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor for seven years. Dans' enthusiasm
for canoeing has recently branched out into the realm of canoe-sailing.
He spent the summer of 2007 designing the perfect sailing rig
for his canoe, which was put to the test - with considerable success
- on Lake Malawi later that year. Dan was involved in the New
Zealand and Lake Malawi Expeditions, where he was able to perfect
his bread making skills. He has also been on trips to Patagonia,
Nepal, spent time working in Sri Lanka as an Instructor and travelled
exstensively in South East Asia.
Dan's qualifications: SPA (single pitch
climbing), Summer ML(mountain leader), Level 2 Kayak & Canoe,
First Aid Mountain Expedition.
All Guides hold qualifications with the following
Organisations:
