Join us as we sit down with Cali, our esteemed Wildlife and Kayak Guide, whose deep connection with the surrounding environment and wealth of knowledge promise to ignite your sense of wonder and curiosity.

What made you want to become a captain?

I came into it organically, I grew up boating on Lake Erie so when I moved to the West Coast I wanted to learn more about the Ocean specifically. I thought guiding for a summer would be a fun learning experience, turns out being on the water daily checks a lot of boxes for me and continues to be a great teacher. I started kayaking and got my captains papers through Covid while tourism was down and now offer a variety of trips each season.

How did you end up in Tofino?

I was traveling at a turning point in my life and met some folks from Vancouver Island, they told me I’d fit in, It’d fit me. I didn’t know much about the Coast or have a plan but I had a good feeling, so when I got home from my trip I drove out West and have never looked back. I actually pulled up to the junction unsure whether to turn left or right, spent the first few years in Ucluelet and now Tofino is home because of the ocean-centric lifestyle it offers me.

How do you spend the offseason?

This question used to make me so anxious when I started guiding, because I never knew. Over the years I’ve done a variety of things in the communities, my background is in Construction Management so I’ve tackled a few construction projects since I’ve been here. I’ve worked as a waitress, housekeeper, barista and I’ve even done some guiding in lower latitudes. These days I’ve been taking cues from the wildlife and trying my best to migrate or hibernate for a few months in the winter, so I’m at my best for high season.