Meet our Crew!

John Page

I came north in 1983. A chance opportunity to test skis for Powder Magazine in the Ruth Glacier was the bait. Ended up falling in love. Cancelled my plane flight three times so I could get better acquainted with Alaska. I've been working in Alaska for 29 years and I'm still in love. Alaska's been a great playground for me to pursue my passions and challenge my abilities. I learned photography while working on a book about Wrangell-St.Elias. I gained organizational and people skills while serving as Executive Director of several non-profit companies. I tested my skiing abilities while covering the first four years of the world extreme skiing competition in Valdez.

In 1996 I started Sunny Cove. It grew out of the desire to experience living on Fox Island. I had guided kayaking for other companies in Prince Williams Sound and Kenai Fjords. I found I enjoyed sharing the place I loved with others. I also felt like it was an opportunity to educate others about our amazing natural environment. From a two-person start up we've grown into a company with 15 staff members. Each year we introduce thousands of people to kayaking and the wonders of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Each year I have the opportunity to work with a great group of people. I look forward to paddling with you this summer.

Kat Page

I spent many years in Florida pursuing my career as a manufacturer’s rep and spending my spare time indulging in my passion for the outdoors by sea kayaking, white water kayaking, scuba diving, camping, fishing, biking, hiking, and painting.

In 2004 I and a group of Florida friends booked a custom kayak/camping trip with Sunny Cove into Northwestern Fjords. As with many other visitors to Alaska, I found myself wanting to return to explore this amazing area and in 2006 made Seward my home.  I enjoy my summers here as office manager working with our amazing staff and providing our guests with great adventures.  When not kayaking, John and I can be found outdoors hiking, skiing and traveling to places yet unexplored. 

Stephanie Millane

I grew up in the woods of Wisconsin building forts, fishing, hunting and canoeing. Early in my 20's I began working seasonally in the ski industry but needed to find a way to fill my summers. In 1998 I began my guiding career leading bicycling trips in Southeast Alaska. I spent an additional two years in Southeast as a sales manager and fill guide for a rafting company.

Soon after I found myself applying to Sunny Cove Sea Kayaking. Eight years later, I'm still happily spending my summers in Seward as the operations manager of Sunny Cove.

Audrey Jackson

Howdy! My love and addiction for the outdoors began growing up in the mountains of western Colorado within a family whom loves being outdoors. Being youngest of 5 kids there were few dull moments and many opportunities to be immersed in wilderness.

I attended the Colorado College and graduated with an English, Film Major and Sociology Minor (emphasis on Cinematography) and continued developing my outdoor leadership skills. I also have a great love for traveling abroad, photography, hiking, and staring at the beauty that I often find myself surrounded by (lucky me!!). I have been coming to Alaska since 2003 and just this past year I have purchased a cabin here in Seward. What can I say, "I LOVE ALASKA!".

I have been with Sunny Cove since the 2008 season and have LOVED every one of them. I am so excited about getting back on the water and sharing this amazing place with you all! Until then- Cheers and enjoy the Spring!

Matthew Barnes

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, I have a B.A. in Philosophy from Emory University (a.k.a. a B.S. in b.s.). I spent several years working outdoors in the "green" industry of landscaping and retail gardening. But the lack of sustainable, eco-friendly practice in the suburban world turned me off the career path.

In search of genuine wilderness experience and more fulfilling work, I went all-or-none towards Alaska like a homing missile. And like so many before me, my perspective has been forever changed. What started out as a shot-in-the-dark summer gig has turned into a multi-year adventure, and the sea kayak has been my vessel over hallowed grounds.

I've guided now in the Virgin Islands and Florida, but my true maritime sanctuary is Alaska. I have an ACA instructor certification under my belt and this will be my third summer with SCSK. I eagerly await the opportunity to once again serve as a conduit through which others can experience Resurrection Bay and the Kenai Fjords. See ya out on the water!

Forest Hoff

With an appetite for adventure, this Iowa born sojourner loves spending summers in Alaska where the sun never sets. Forest is a linguist by education and has been teaching at an intensive English program in the off season.

In his third summer with Sunny Cove, Forest brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to every trip he guides. He is certified to instruct sea-kayaking by the American Canoe Association and has studied the ecology of the Kenai extensively. Forest's other hobby's include: mandolin, climbing, international travel, SCUBA, photography, and backpacking.

Where did he get his start? "When I was young we had an endless wood to play in. My sister and I would walk the creek in the winter and even after breaking through and soaking our boots, we trudge on in search of the unknown. Since then I have always taken challenges as part of the fun, and am always searching for new ways to look at the world." His goal is to live simply, surrounded by nature and Alaska has been a good place to get it accomplished.

Jared Fink

I was born and raised in western Alaska, on Lake Clark. After growing up in the outdoors around the guiding industry I decided after high school guiding was the obvious choice. I started working with a fly-out fishing and hunting outfitter in Western Alaska and later moved on to whitewater rafting and finally sea kayaking. Soon though I grew an interest in emergency medicine, went off to college and left guiding behind.

I never gave up my love for the outdoors and I continued pursuing water and snow sports in my off time. Finally, after years of school and working as an EMT, I began to realize that the lifestyle of a weekend warrior was just no longer doing it for me and I was lucky enough to be able to join the crew at Sunny Cove. I am now living with my partner and our little girl traveling the country in a 16 foot travel trailer and returning to Seward in the summers to share my love of Alaska with others.

Jen Brand

I was born and raised up North in good old Fairbanks, Alaska. Growing up in the same house my whole life, my brothers, sisters, and I were always seeking fun and adventure outdoors. In the winter’s, when the temperature wasn’t too cold we spent our days outside skiing and snow machining. In the summer time under the midnight sun we enjoyed playing softball and going swimming.

I attended Feather River College in Quincy, California and graduated in 2010 with an Outdoor Recreation Leadership Degree. Now I’m living the seasonal life working for a ski pass in the winter and kayaking it up in the summer. This will be my second season with Sunny Cove and I am so stoked to show you all that Alaska is a special place full of beauty and possibilities. 

Andria Lamirande

I grew up in southern Manitoba and was drawn west to the Rocky Mountains for college. My love for the outdoors led me to study Adventure Tourism Outdoor Recreation. For the past 5 summers I have been guiding white water rafting, caving, zip lining and canoe trips across Canada. In the winters I have had the opportunity to travel and back pack around India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Turkey. I taught English in the country of Georgia and spent some time volunteering in Tanzania. I love to explore and connect with different cultures. This past winter I worked as a Ski Patroller feeding my passion for skiing and snowboarding. I want to continue my medical experience and plan to study Para medicine in the fall.

I have always been fascinated with Alaska and its infinite amount of wilderness. I look forward to spending another season on the water paddling and growing with a new place and new people.

Colin Hewitt

I grew up in Pennsylvania kayaking on the local lake, exploring the woods looking for boulders to climb and stand on top of. I came to Alaska to further my passion for the wilderness and explore a new place.
I spend the snowy winters fitting as much skiing as possible into my weekends while I work on my degree at Alaska Pacific University.

Through working on my degree I've had the opportunity to explore the Prince William Sound, the Talkeetna Mountains, and the Kenai Peninsula, including Turnagain Pass, Katchemak Bay and of course Resurrection Bay.

Kayaking was my gateway to discovering what our natural environment has to offer, so it is only fitting that I spend my summers in a boat with the privilege of sharing this amazing place. See you on the water!!

Chelsea McGowan

I am originally from Maine where I fell in love with the outdoors at a young age. I grew up constantly playing outside, learning to hike, kayak, ski, fish, canoe, raft, etc at a young age. My passion for the outdoors and traveling as only developed as I have gotten older. 

During the summers throughout college I was a sea kayak guide for a small company on the coast of southern Maine, where I quickly expanded my knowledge and passion for guiding.  

  After graduating from the University of Maine at Farmington, I decided to head west to Oregon to chase some bigger mountains and bigger water. I have spent the last two winters in Utah, skiing and exploring the west, and am excited to further my exploration this summer in Alaska.

Daniel Meuninck

Growing up in northern Indiana, I got my first taste of kayaking on the shores of Lake Michigan. I always enjoyed our family summer camping trips, but my love of the outdoors truly began when I made my first trip out west to visit a college roommate in Colorado. I was amazed at the beauty of the Rockies and instantly knew I had a new passion in life.

Having a Communication degree from Purdue University and a Master’s degree in Higher Education from the University of South Carolina, I have spent the last several years working with college student leaders at the University of Central Florida. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Orlando, the closest mountains to me are Space, Splash, and Big Thunder Mountain and that wasn’t cutting it for me. Having dabbled here and there in various outdoor education experiences, I knew it was the time to move out west and make the jump into a new life style and career path teaching people about the outdoors.

I got my first taste of Alaska last summer during a month long Outdoor Education course through NOLS and was more than excited to sign up to return for the entire summer season this year with Sunny Cove. I love my background and role as an educator and look forward to teaching people about the beauty and wonders of Alaska. The outdoors is a classroom in and of itself and I look forward to seeing you out there!

Jen Greene

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, my love for the great outdoors was cultivated in the Sierra Nevada mountains and along the Northern California coastline.

During three years spent studying in Berlin, I gained a fondness for water sports that solidified after exploring the tributaries of Germany's River Spree. After returning to California for college at UC Santa Cruz, I scheduled my courses around open water rowing (mornings) and sea kayaking (evenings). I was hooked.

My time on the water has included kayaking the California Coast, sailing on the San Francisco Bay and rowing crew for the past 15 years. Go South End Rowing Club! When not on the water, I can be found in the water, swimming, and on land, running, hiking, backpacking and scavenger hunting.

After university, I joined the 9 to 5 work world and found it extremely difficult to remain inside all day. I immediately attained my paramedic license and have been working for the San Francisco Fire Department for the past 6 years. (Know that if you fall in the water, I'm technically over qualified to save you!) In 2010 a trip to Alaska got me jonesing to escape city life, and I vowed to come back.

Jack Delaney

Surprisingly born in Dallas, Texas but quickly raised in the beautiful Midwestern town of Dubuque, Iowa. I spent most of my time outdoors with the boy scouts learning the finer points of knot tying, lighting fires without matches and looking good in uniform. I now spend my time at the University of Northern Iowa where I am pursuing a BA in Physics Teaching with the end goal of teaching high school students about the mysteries of the universe.

Any free time I get is spent rock climbing or performing improv around Cedar Falls with my improv troupe, Half-Masted. On the weekends I lead trips all over the U.S, rock climbing and hiking, with UNI's outdoor program. I'm very excited to be a guide for Sunny Cove this summer which I'm certain will be the experience of a lifetime.

Rob Dalton

I grew up in Park City, Utah, a mountain town that is an outdoor paradise. I was able to enjoy the sports that a lot of people do only on vacation! In the winter, I snowboarded, did biathlon, camped in snow caves and in the summer went mountain biking, camping, hiking, fishing, or rafting! Park City's ski resorts gave me great opportunities in the outdoor hospitality business.

My first job at 15 was guiding mountain bike tours and later, I was operating ski lifts. For the last six years I have guided on the Weber Riber nearby, both raft and kayak trips. I became a certified river Captain in 2008. Nothing makes me happier than being on the water!

I realized since I was mostly interested in geology, wildlife and natural history, and felt my best when outside, I needed to pursue a degree that fit my lifestyle. I am a senior at University of Montana Western in Dillon, majoring in Environmental Interpretation. I am excited about working at Sunny Cove and living in Alaska!

In 2005, I spent 30 days in the wilderness, camping and kayaking the Prince Williams Sound with the National Outdoors Leadership School (NOLS). After that- I always wanted to return to Alaska! I look forward to giving you a FUN and SAFE paddling adventure!

Tess Tulley

Missouri born and bred I spent my childhood wading through creeks, exploring the woods and stomping through caves. So yes, my childhood was awesome. After attending college in St. Louis, MO to earn my B.A. in communications I worked my way into the media and fashion world. After a short stint living in NYC I found my self traveling up the west coast where I then ended up in Alaska....and fell in love.

Keeping the outdoors close to my heart through my hobbies and down time I am more then ready to make them a full-time life style. I love when I can spend time doing yoga, hiking, camping, kayaking and rock climbing and I look forward to my first season with Sunny Cove. Let the summer of adventure begin!

joellyne mackinnon

Born in Wasilla, raised on moose meat and salmon, Jo's nothing like Sarah Palin. An artist at heart she enjoys creating, exploring new places and cultures, and making the most of life's moments. For the last four years Jo has divided her life between Alaska and Guatemala. Her passion for good coffee has made Sunny Cup the place to drink. A Sunny Cove employee for nearly 10 years - mostly as a guide, she now serves as chief barista and manager of Sunny Cup.