We are back country loving explorers with a passion for connecting people with nature.

 
  • Tom Thwaits

    Tom grew up in canoes and has worked on the shoreline and in the bush, bilingually, throughout Ontario. He holds voyageur canoe certification with ORCKA, building on his experiences paddling a 29’ canoe from Sault Ste. Marie to Mattawa. He's been living, teaching, paddling and raising a family in Meaford for 10+ years and he can't wait to show you around this special corner of the world. He'll use any excuse to get out for a paddle; to get the mail, to go downtown, to visit friends, to get to the park or to have an adventure. Join Big Canoe Project to find your own reasons to get out on Georgian Bay!

  • Adam Miller

    Adam attends Collingwood Collegiate Institute and was the valedictorian when he graduated from École Élementaire Notre-Dame de la Huronie. He enjoys camping, sailing, circus arts (aerial silks, partner acro and juggling), kayaking and holds level 4 ORCKA canoeing certification. He's really looking forward to guiding with Big Canoe Project as a learning experience and brings a lot to the team.

  • Kelly Miller

    Kelly first learned her love for canoeing through the Outdoors club at her Collingwood high school and has continued to practice the sport throughout her life, often with her own kids in tow, and dabbling in kayaking as well. Later, as an established teacher, Kelly earned her ORCKA Basic Canoeing Instructor Certification in order to combine two of her favourite things: teaching and paddling. She feels very fortunate to be able to teach these skills in the beautiful Collingwood area through her company Georgian Bay Paddling, seeing the joy in her students' eyes (kids and adults alike) as they step out of the norm of the classroom environment.

  • Marissa Dolotallas

    Marissa believes that a-ha moments, exhilarating joys, and personal bests - no matter or how big or small - are stepping stones to build a solid foundation of confidence and empowerment. That a-ha moment may have started through learning a new sport - like learning how to do a wet exit in a kayak or how to stand on your SUP board - but it can carry over and apply to all other areas in your life at home, at school or at work. Marissa is proud to guide and instruct for Adventure Canada, Blu-wave SUP, Girls on Boards, the Ontario Sea Kayak Center, Wild Women Expeditions and her own company Peak to Shore Adventures.