Brian Raymer
Brian Raymer is a Paddle Canada SUP Instructor and Instructor Trainer. Brian can help you get to the next level for Flatwater, Touring and Surf SUP. He has more than 4000 hours ocean touring, instructing and training experience.
He is a former North Shore (Vancouver) Rescue Team member with strong swimming skills including free diving. He holds a current certification in Remote First Aid.
Outside of South Island SUP, Brian contributes to the SUP community as an organizer for WestCoast SUP Symposium, BC SUP Cup, SixPack SUP Race Series and other community events. When he’s not busy organizing, you’ll find him as an active competitor in the SixPack SUP Race Series and the BC SUP Cup Races!
He’s well known for his friendliness, smile, SUP knowledge and patient approach to getting people on stand up paddleboards and enjoying it for the first time.
Gina Lemieux
Gina Lemieux, founder of Mer Tales Ocean Journeys, is a professional marine biologist, occupational diver, accredited Paddle Canada Basic and Advanced Flatwater and Touring Level 1 and 2 SUP instructor and personal life coach. She has over 20 years of experience on the water as diver, vessel operator and paddleboard instructor. She holds a current certification in Wilderness First Aid.
Outside of Mer Tales Ocean Journeys and South Island SUP, Gina contributes to the SUP community as a SixPack SUP Race Series organizer.
Her connection with the ocean began at a very early age and has been a constant source of inspiration and guidance in her life. Her passion is connecting people with the ocean in ways that guide and inspire us to live our life that aligns with our authentic truth. Her hope is that our connections with the ocean will foster greater harmony between humanity and Earth, as we embody our oneness with nature.
Gina’s favourite sea creatures are orcas and nudibranchs! She is always thrilled to get curious with others to identify marine life.
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