Meet Our Kayak Guides

David Doughty

Dave has been leading trips most of his life backpacking, canoeing, mountain biking, climbing, and kayaking. He spent the first half of his working life as an acupuncturist / chiropractor, and intends to spend the second half outdoors. Having bought Kayak Adventures Worldwide in January 2003, Dave is jumping into the endeavor with both feet and bringing a new enthusiasm and spirit to an already incredible business. His desire to please the client brings a wonderful service-oriented approach to a business already specializing in customized trips and instruction. Dave has an amazing enthusiasm for the sport of kayaking, and even more so for using the sport to share the area with others. He holds a current Wilderness First Responder and is a Leave-No-Trace trainer. If he's not leading extended trips in the fjords, you'll find him working around the shop.

Wendy Doughty

Although originally from CT, Wendy has spent many years traveling both within the States and internationally. She's enjoyed adventures that include reindeer herding near Antarctica, researching on Crete and Easter Island, sailing the Mediterranean, living in the Swiss Alps, and working for National Geographic. Now, as an owner and lead guide for Kayak Adventures, she has finally settled down a bit. She holds a current Wilderness First Responder certification, is a lead instructor for Wilderness First Aid, and an assistant instructor for the Wilderness First Responder. She is also a Leave-No-Trace trainer. These days you'll most likely find her either working in the office, or leading extended trips in the fjords.

Jim Vermillion

Jim has been living in Alaska for over 30 years now, and guiding kayak trips in the area since 1983. He is a wealth of knowlege when it comes to most subjects... and is our local expert. He was the previous owner of Kayak Adventures Worldwide, and is now assuming the role of guide / trainer / instructor.

Justine Pechuzal

A desert rat from Arizona, Justine's love of the ocean, sea kayaking, the wilderness and sampling seaweed brought her to Alaska--although she could do without the rain and cold. She is a taurus, enjoys long walks on the beach, and sunsets. When not checking under the skirts of tall men to find their foot pedals, she likes eating ice cream and chocolate in no particular order. She can also be found writing, drawing, and doing handstands. Past lives have included experiences with environmental education, guiding throughout the Southwest, creating public murals, teaching art and natural history, and selling cheesecake. Please forgo inquiring about future career plans: the past eight years of writing boring papers for academia have tossed all Serious, Prudent, Long-term Life Plans to the gulls! Justine holds a current Wilderness First Responder certification.

Michael "Wolfy" Howes

Wolfy was raised in New Orleans and Oklahoma. He played baseball at Northwestern State in Louisiana, where he graduated with a degree in Psychology. After spending a year in photography school in Colorado, he worked with inner city kids at a wilderness program in Kentucky. There, he did whitewater canoeing, rappelling, climbing, and backpacking. Next, he got involved with adventure programming for young men in Taos, NM, with activities ranging from fishing and skiing all the way to painting and cooking. From there, he spent three years in Southern Utah, working as a senior instructor for a therapeutic wilderness program. In his free time, Wolfy enjoys snowboarding, backpacking, fishing, painting, working on his '84 Land Cruiser, and spending time with family. He holds a current Wilderness First Responder certification.

Nick Cheney

When not searching for the ideal skipping rock, Nick likes to do crossword puzzles and fly fish. A native of Boston (yeah Sox!), Nick has worked on the Wind River Indian Reservation, and in several National Parks and wilderness areas from Arizona to Montana. Paddling highlights include extended trips in Baja, Maine, and the San Juan Islands. He enjoys meditation and pretending that he is a Sandhill Crane that likes pizza, chocolate, and coffee. Nick holds a current Wilderness First Responder certification.

John Terenzini

Before coming to Alaska, John has worked and traveled throughout the lower 48 and internationally. Whether guiding or just having fun, John always enjoys the outdoors and all its crawling, flying, and swimming creatures. John holds a current Wilderness First Responder certification.

Diana Herrera

As a young child, Diana often dreamed of swimming with dolphins. Somehow she wound up planting trees in Oregon, then landscaping in Sante Fe, and at last as an Acupuncturist... sticking needles into people in pain. She enjoyed sticking needles into people so much, she's "stuck" with it for 15 years, concentrating her work in the Arizona desert, where she feels right at home surrounded by the sharp and prickly plants. But still, her childhood dream lingered on, so now Diana is overjoyed to find herself guiding in Alaska where she can paddle with dolphins! Diana holds a current Wilderness First Responder certification.

Jose Padua

Jose has spent the last 23 years in Connecticut. After graduating from Southern Connecticut with a degree in Recreation and Leisure, Jose was almost sucked into the "real world". He dodge that bullet by becoming a member of the Kayak Adventures Family. He plans to continue dodging the "real world" for a while and do some traveling. For Jose, life is all about having a good time with good people. Don't forget to pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

Kyle Roemer

After spending the winter in Vermont, Kyle is excited to now be up in Alaska. In addition to leading sea kayaking trips, he likes to snowboard, play poker, and try new foods (although a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with some GORP is still one of his favorites). Kyle holds a current Wilderness Emergency Medicine Technician certification.

JAX

Jax has been a part of the Doughty family since 2003, and is a great source of entertainment around the shop. She's as friendly as a dog can be... always looking for some attention or a good run at the beach! Come by and say hello!

LOGAN

We've had Logan since 2004. She loves people so much, we actually think she believes she IS a person! She's a vizsla / yellow lab mix, and one of the most friendly and loving dogs you'll ever meet! Stop by and get to know her... you'll make her day!